Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-01-14
LOSS OF LIFE NOT KNOWN
1T IS BELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT
THE TOTAL WILL REACH
THOUSANDS
NEW CRATERS OPENING
sAkURA-JlMA MOUNTAINS SHAPE
CHANGED BY THE GREAT
DISTURBANCE

Toxic. Jan. 14.--Official reports
where volcanic eruptions and earth
quakes have caused heavy loss of life
and property, are that the eruption Of
the volcano Of sakura-Jima, which
has caused the most devastation, Is
abating
Just how heavy has been the loss of
life cannot yet be estimated. sakura,
where the greatest loss Of life un-
doubtedly occurred. cannot be visited
because the eruption Of saltira-Jima
continues.
Kagoshima, the nearest big city to
sallura while it suffered great dam
age from the earthquakes, does not
appear to have sustained great loss
Of life H Ijuin, former Japanese
minister to China, who lives at Kag-
oshima, sent dispatch to the foreign
office in which he said that ten per
sons have been killed and 30 injured
there He also stated that great con-
fusion prevailed in the city
All Americans in the vicinity are
safe Word to this effect was re-
eefget ifere from Carl Il. DgiseblnaH.
the American consul at NagasaBi,
Vivid Description Of the Disturbance
NagasaId, Japan. Jan. 14.-A vivid
description of the awe-inspiring scene
on the island of sakura during the
eruption and tidal wave OF Monday,
was given today by the captain Of a
Japanese steamer which arrived here
from Kagoshima. The captain res
cued 800 persons.
1T was perilous to approach the
land,7 he said, as columns Of water
burst up continually from the gulf,
while on land pillars Of fire rose into
the air from the acres of blazing
sugar cane. At the same time peo-
pie and cattle ran pell-mell toward
the beach in wild effort to escape.
4The steamers in the gulf lowered
rowboats to pick up the hundreds of
people who were drifting helplessly
on RATS or swimming while holding
on to planks or pieces of timber. All
were uttering piteous cries.
Hundreds stood along the shore,
unable to find any means Of escape,
Some Of them waved towels and
clothing attached to bamboo poles. in
order to attract attention. Many Of
the people were only half conscious,
suffering from burns or injuries.
''Detaohments of ambulance men,
police and troops from Kagoshima
worked like mad men in the mission
OF rescue"
An official dispatch from Miyanoio
says that another volcano, located at
Ikirishima, to the northeast Of Kag-
oshima, broke out into eruption on
January -, throwing the vicinity in
to complete darkness. Ashes feT1 to
the depth Of an inch in the surround
ing district but no great damage
was done.
Official reports tonight Of the dis
aster in southern Japan brought out
the following general features
The small Island Of Sakura is coY-
cred with a layer Of lava and ashes,
in places several feet deep Beneath
this lie many dead, the number OF
which viii probably never be known.
| ANY estimate Of the dead must in
clude large number Of refugees,
who were drowned while trying to
swim from saakura to the city Of
i hagoshima.
Kagoshima, last week prosperous
town Of 10000 isin ruins. Even stone
I buildings collapsed under the weight
Of tho hot ashes
y simultaneously with the eruption
Of the volcano Of salxura-Jima there
/ occurred an eruption Of Karigatako