The Washington times., 1915-08-12
Vesuvius, Mt. Etna, and Strom.
boil Suddenly Become
Active Again.
HUNDREDS FLEEING HOMES
Population Of Naples and Of
Sichian Cities Rush to
I Places Of Safety.
BY HENRY WOOD.

NAPLES, Aug 12.-Vesuvius, Mt. Etna
and Stromboli, three Of the world's 9
greatest volcanoes. have suddenly be-
como active and are belching forth great
clouds Of steam and smoke.
Streams Of lava are pouring down the
eastern slope Of Mt. Etna from two
new craters, threatening the destruction
q Sicllian villages. The whole popula-
ton Of Naples and Of Messlna and other
sicilian cities is in a state Of terror.
Severe earthquake shocks have been
felt in laramie and Brindisi. in south
ern Italy. according to dispatches re-
ceived here today. increasing the fear
here that a gigantic earth disturbance
10 about to shake Italy. though Naples
scientists are trying to reassure the
public.
First Tremor Felt Tuesday.
The first earth tremor wus felt at
Brindisi at o'clock Tuesday morn
ing. followed by nine others. It was
estimated that the center Of disturb
ance was l25 miles from Brindisi. The
meteorological apparatus at Vcsuvius
observatory was wrecked by earth
trSmCrS yesterday.
En- route from Athens to Naples.
aboard the Greek steamer Adriaticus.
] personally witnessed the reawaken-
Ing Of the three great Italian vol
canoes. Passing through the Ionian
Sea. the smoke pouring from Mt, Etnn
was visible for miles. The top of tho
great cone, standing two miles above
the sca. was shrouded in thick cap
Of smoke and steam.
N Dispatches from Cataria today said
that Two new HCrater; have been
opened on Mt, Etna. on the eastern
side. and that thick stream Of lava
IL pouring down the slopes, threat
lngles. The people Of Catania. often
visited by destructive oItpourings OF
lava, are flocking to their churches
to t,nplore divine protection.
Messina. sixty miles northeast Of the
great volcano and the scene of the
greatest earthquake disaster in history.
Is greatly alarmed. The population Is
clanoring for the traditional process on
has so often saved the city from Etna 3
wrath. according to popular belief.
Stromboli Active.
Stromboli, rising 3,089 feet above the
sea on one Of the Lipari islands. was
giving forth an angry stream Of lava
that poured into the sea and spout,ng
forth thin dust of ashes, flames and
smoke as the Adriaticus steamed north
ward. So far as we could ascertain
through the smoke haze that overhung
the sea none Of the small villages at
its base had been harmed.
The heavy vapors from Vesuvius
clouded the Bay Of Naples today. Resi-
dents Of some of the small villages
near the base of the volcano are flock
ing into Naples. carrying their house,
hold goods strapped across their backs.
Vesuvius, standing on the east side
Of the bay Of Naples and ten miles
southeast Of Naples. has not been active
since 1906. Its most violent eruptions
included that Of the year 7s. destroying
Pompeii. Herculaneum. and Stabiae; the
eruption of 1881. overwhelming five
towns. and that Of 1872
Mt. EtnA lies on the northeast side
Of Sicily. near the coast. and about
twenty miles from Catania. It has been
in active eruption about eight times, the
eruption of 1898 killing about 10000 per-
sons. Mt Etna has not been active since
1882
Stromboli Is on the island of the
same name In the Mediterranean. off the
north coast of Sicily. Since 1t was first
known to historians. Stromboli has
belched forth lava at intervals Of q
few years.