File No. 816.48/2
Minister Long to the Secretary of State
San Salvador [undated; received June 8, 1917, 11.40 a.m.]
About 6.55 this evening seven earthquakes began and continued until about 8.45 with varying degrees of intensity when the volcano of San Salvador seemed to erupt and belch forth fire and smoke apparently on the side toward Quetzaltepeque. Since then one terrible shock has occurred but the tremors of the earth still continue with decreasing violence, meanwhile a steady shower of dry ash falls over this city. The damage done to the Legation building will render it uninhabitable, but all records and ciphers were safe a few moments ago when I entered the chancellery. All other city property appears [to] be practically untenable. One important central business section has been destroyed by fire which seems now to be under control. No deaths known to me at present. Further details later.