New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-18
Severe Earthquake Accom-
panies Renewed Volcanic
Outbreaks in Sakura.
SEA SEEMS BOILING
WITH PUMICE LAVA
People Rush Through City, Their
Faces in Wet Towels, to
Avoid Suffocation.

Ksgoshma. Japan Jan. 1I.-Sakura-
shima is again in eruption. The VOL
caro which devastated the island OF
Sakura boiled over twice last night.
An earthquake accompanied the out
break Of the mountain. Many OF the
! buildings in this city. which lies only q
few miles from the scene Of the dis
/ turbance. were destroyed The sea in
/ the Gulf OF Kagoshima seemed TO I've
| boiling, so great was its burden of hot
pumice stone from the mouth Of the
mountain. dead sun, Of blood color.
gave almost no light through the sheets
Of falling ash. Night signals were
used on all the railroads.
The people Of the city ran through
the streets. covering their mouths and
noses with wet towels to save them
selves from suffocation in the thick VOL
cauo dust
Lava flowed down the sides OF the
mountain into the sea. BY this process
the area Of the little island is growing
at a rapid rate, as the hot substances
from the volcano solidify as soon as
they reach the water.
Boat with Sixteen Refugees.
A japanese cruiser came ipon tiny
boat from the Island Of Sakura to-day
in which were sixteen refugees who had
fed from the island during the first
eruption. Though the strait between
the island and the mainland is a mar
row one, the fugitives had been unable
to reach their goal The darkness and
the floating masses Of stone had mads
it impossible for them to steer a
straight course. Their rescuers
reached thep by launching a wedge
shaped raft, with which they were able
to plough their way through the steam
ing rocks.
An official of the Interior Department
who was sent here from Toxic to re-
port the loss of life caused by the de-
yastation of Sakura sent word TO his
government to-day that he had been
able TO account for only 5000 Of the
islands estimated population of 1900.
The Investigations OF Japsn's fore
most scientists have done little TO quiet
the fears of the people. Professor
F'usakichi Omoii, the seismologist said
to day that the entire volcanic range Of
Kiushiu, the southernmost Of the three
large islands which make up Japan,
would probably show activity. Accord
ing to the professor the volcanoes Of
the region enter into eruption every
sixty-four years. He has issued a par
ticular warning FOR the people To keep
close watch of the Unzen volcano.
which is in the centre Of a very popu-
lous district not far from Nagasaki
Gods and Biologists.
Okada, the geologist, issued state p
ment to-day i'm which he said that Sa-
kura -shima would probably continue in
eruption for a month or more.
Despairing of help from its scientists,
the Japanese have showed an extraor-
binary interest in religious observ-
ances, but up TO date no god has been
found in any sect TO assume the re-
sponsibility OF staying the course Of
nature.
Professor Omoii circed the island to-
day in spite Of the danger of violent
eruption. He saw woman on the
shore but when he shouted that res
cuers had come for her she turned and
fled into the hills. The outline of the
island has been twisted into new
shapes by the force Of the eruptions
and the earthquakes, which have made
il shake like paper lantern. The pro-
fessor found that old hills had been
levelled and new ones raised. About
seven-tenths of the island is a desert
OF lava. and the remainder is in such
hopeless condition that it will have 10
be abandoned for cultivation.
Toxic. Japan, Jan IA relief associa-
ton. national in scope. has been organized
here. Bishop Walter Andrews. OF the
English Church in Hok- Ktido. the famine
stricken district. writes that the suffering
everywhere is intense. The farmers. ne
says. are hit hardest. and their families
are eating soups made OF chopped straw.
leaves and rotten potatoes.
Washington, IAN lL-Japan is under
| taking TO relieve the sufferers from
earthquake and volcanic eruption through
its own agencies before looking for ex-
ternal aid In answer Ia an offer from
the American Cross the Japanese govern
ment. through Ambassador Guthrie. sent
the following cable dispatch here to-day:
The Japanese Red Cross. through
President Viscount Hsnodusa. expresses
It's sincere appreciation at the kind sym
PATTY and generous offer OF the American
Red Cross. but as relief work at kyushu
is in the hands OF a committee acting
directly under the government il does not
feel justified in intervening"
/ II is understood here that this decina-
ton relates solely TO the administrative
measures necessary TO succor the uh-
fortunate victims Of the earthquake and
eruption. The American Red Cross will
continue collection OF funds in this coun-
try. which viii be forwarded through
Ambassador Guthrie to Japan and turned
over to the governmental relief commit