The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-10

earlier reports telling of numerous
deaths from falling buildings and
poisonous gases. Rebels who had their
headquarters in that region have suf-
fered severely both from casualties
and from loss of supplies.
Poems Panic Stricken.
Reports from Teocelo say a panic
prevails there from the fear that The
old volcano near Cofre de Perote will
become active. Cracks have appear ed
on the sides of the mountain.
First accurate reports from Couzt-
Ian were received in dispatches from
Jalafa, quoting a doctor who had just
returned from Couztland. He said he
had counted ~ dead and 100 injured
in that village and asserted the roads
between Couztland and Quimixtlan
were completely destroyed.
The village of Barranza Alta, near
Couztland, was almost destroyed with
numerous victims. according to re-
ports. In Jalapa itself 95 per cent of
the buildings were damaged. Water
service there is limited to two hours
daily.
Relief measures for quake sufferers
are progressing rapidly. 10000 pesos
being subscribed by the employees of
the National Railways and more than
100000 from the army.
New Outbursts Reported
Fresh volcanic outbursts last night
were reported to be threatening the
already stricken district southwest of
Jalapa. where thousands of people
have already been killed or rendered
homeless by earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions
The volcano Cofre de Perote, west
of Jalapa, was reported in official gov
eminent advices to be showing signs
of renewed activity. while the crater
of San Miguel still was reported belch-
ing smoke and lava.
The official advices tended to con-
firm earlier reports of terrible loss of
life and property in the stricken area.
Many hamlets have been completely
demolished, only handfuls of their
populations remaining alive.
Jalapa, late advices showed, suf-
fered even worse than it was at first
believed. Many public buildings were
destroyed, including the state and
municipal palaces. the municipal col
lege and the regimental barracks.
Buried Under Hill.
One village, it was said, was COM
pletely crushed when a hill near which
it was situated collapsed, literally
burying the town. At one place, ac-
cordihg to government advices, $50
rebels were killed when the volcanic
outburst destroyed their camp. At
Teocelo, it was said, only one house
remained standing.
Great chasms have opened in the
earth, in many places 100 feet wide.
it was said. Relief work is difficult.
the pack trains being forced to detour
around many of these enormous fis-
sures.
The shrine of the favorite saint of
Zipizahua was swallowed up in the
earth, = government dispatch said,
adding to the terror of the supersti-
tious Indians who look upon the dis
appearance of their saint as a partic-
ular manifestation of divine wrath.
Conflicting reports marked the sit
uation around Mount Orizaba. Some
dispatches said the volcano showed
signs of activity while others claimed
it was quiet.
Government officials were worried
over the effect the earthquakes and
volcanoes will have on the Vera Cruz
petroleum industry. Joaquin Santa
eale, chief technician of the depart
ment Of petroleum. pointed out the
disturbances probably have altered the
entire geological formation of the af-
fected area and may render the great
oil fields valueless.