Volcanic eruption in Japan

A volcano has erupted today on the Island of Sakura Shima, Japan. A wireless message from the warships sent to Kago Shima reports that the island is completely doomed. It is shrouded by black smoke, through which the flicker of flames can be constantly seen. It is said that the bay is covered with lava that has flowed down from the volcano and the city of Kago Shima itself is covered in ash to a depth of 15 feet.

While the death toll is not known at this time, the extent of the loss of life is thought to be high. The means of rescue proved to be inadequate in bringing away the crowds flocking down the beaches. Due to the hail of stones and boulders the rescue crews found it difficult to reach the island, meaning many people drowned trying to swim to the boats and others suffocated from exposure to the poisonous gases. An official report states that 600 houses collapsed under the violent shock on its first day and thereafter the shocks were so great that it was impossible to walk, so people had to crawl out of the city.

The earthquakes and the eruptions have now subsided but appalling rumblings in the bowels of the earth still continue.