"A majority of volcanic eruptions are similar in cause and effect to a boiler explosion. It is now the accepted belief that sudden introduction of cold water on the great molten mass acts as would the pouring of water into a red hot boiler. It causes a great volume of steam, which must have an outlet. You can readily see how water could get into the crater, located as this one was--on an island, and not far from the coast. The volcanic chains crossed at that point. Such crossing would cause a tension of the crust of the earth, which might cause great fissures. If water were to search out those fissures and reach the great molten mass below it is not hard to imagine what the result would be. There are two classes of volcanoes--those which have explosive eruptions, like Vesuvius and Krakatoa, and this latest one, and those of no explosive nature, like Mauna Loa and Kilauea, in Hawaii, which boil up and flow over. It is the explosive eruption which brings widespread destruction, and it is astonishing to learn of the tremendous power one of those eruptions unleashes." Professor John Milne, of London, the highest authority in the world on volcanic explosions, classifies eruptions into two grades: Those that build up very slowly. Those that destroy most rapidly. [Illustration: Copyright 1906, by American-Journal-Examiner. All rights reserved. Any infractions of this copyright will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. =CRACK IN THE EARTH.= This photograph shows a crack in the earth in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, caused by the earthquake.] [Illustration: =GHOULISH THIEVES LOOTING THE DEAD.= This harrowing scene shows the way the dead and injured are frequently robbed after a disaster.] "The latter are the most dangerous to human life and the physical face of a country. Eruptions that build up mountains are periodical wellings over of molten lava, comparatively harmless. But in this building up, which may cover a period of centuries, natural volcanic vents are closed up and gases and blazing fires accumulate beneath that must eventually find the air. Sooner or later they must burst forth, and then the terrific disasters of the second class take place. It is the same cause that makes a boiler burst." Professor Milne was asked after Krakatoa's performance: "Is it likely that there are volcanoes in the world at present that have been quiet for a long time but will one day or another blow their heads off?" "It is almost certain there are." "Some in Europe?" "Many in Europe." "Some in the United States?" "Undoubtedly." Mount Pelee of Martinique has verified the eminent authority's word.