A FEARFUL DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1923, Page 3

A FEARFUL DISASTER.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

DISASTER TO JAPAN. OF ENORMOUS DIMENSIONS. lUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAM.F, ASSOCIATION. SAN FRANCISCO, Sep. I. The entire city of Yokohama is on fire, following on a big earthquake. There have been numerous casualties. The word of the Yokohama fire was received here in a insesage from a Japanese radio station at Iwaki, sent to the Radio Corporation of America’s local station. It says Conflagration occurred subsequent to severe earthquake at Yokohama on Saturday. Practically the whole city is ablaze. Numerous casualties.” The Radio Corporation nl America announce that all conned ion with Japan was lost at 9 o'clock this morning. Apparently all the land lines in the north-eastern section of Japan tire down.

A FEARFUL DISASTER

YOKOHAMA WIPED OUT. ENORMOUS DAMAGE. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sep. 2. The Japanese Legation has leeeived the first available details of the earthquake, tidal wave and fire, which successively overwhelmed portions of Japan, causing damage and casualties, the extent whereof can only he surmised. The Legation's intelligence declares no buildings remain standing in Yokohama, while nearly ail Oxnki’s and Tokio's principal structures were, destroyed by the earthquake. Then came a tidal wave, cngul/iing tlio naval station near Yokohama, wrecking ships in the rivers and harbours, and demolishing the waterfront structures.

Then came the fire, starting almost simultaneously over a twenty mile area, and devouring the splintered debris, while the doomed populace vainly sought shelter. TDK 10 ON FIRE. (Received this day at 0.0 a.m.) SAX FRANCISCO, Sept. 2. Tokio is on lire. .Many buildings in the city have collapsed and the loss ol life is heavy. All traffic is suspended. The flames are spreading to the surrounding towns. According to a message to the Radio Corporation, refugees are running in all directions. The city presents a .scene like hell. Many trains were wrecked. It is reported that several tidal waves struck the coast at Yokohama.

31 DEAD AT CORFU. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) ATHENS, Sept. 2. Five thousand Italian- troops landed at Corfu from fifteen naval vessels. The Greek garrison, numbering 150, lied to the interior. The Prefect and ten officers were taken prisoners. The victims of I lie bombardment number 31. AMERICAN HELP. WASHINGTON, Sept. I. After conferring with President Coolidge, the Navv Department ordered tho Commander of the Asiatic Fleet to rush vessels to Yokohama for the relief of the earthquake sulfcrers. FFKTIIEI! DETAILS.

(Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) SAN FRANC!SO, Sept. 2. A Tokio despatch says that the entire down town district «as swept by lire. Jt was reported that the conliagration was under control to-day. Tlie Central Telegraph telephone offices and nearly all the branch offices were destroyed. There is only radio communication with the devastated region. Prince Hirohito and his household arc safe.

According to a radio message, the only means of communication with Japan is through the Tamioka station. The disaster is apparently general along the Japanese coast. The only survivor so far to reach Tamioka, reported tile dead in Tokio alone is incalculable. A number of trains running to Tokio were wrecked during the quake. It is reported that a tidal wave struck the Yokohama const. A refugee told the wireless agent that at the first shock, fires broke out in various parts of Tokio. destroyed tile Misukoshi /departmental store, the Met ropnlitan Police Board building, the Imperial Theatre and many other large buildings. The lire is spreading from Senti to Shinagawa. The fires arc visible seven miles front Tokio. Seven hundred were reported killed when a twelve storey tower at Asaktis fell. Many boats sank in the tidal wave in the Bay of Suruga. .Most of the houses at Xumazn collapsed and it is rumoured that (he Imperial Palace is in danger.

HELP FOR TOKIO. j (Received this dav at 9.45 a.m.) 1 PEKIN"; Sept. 2. The Tokio fire is reported to be under control, but tremendous confusion prevails because the police and military are unable to cope with the unparallelled disorder. Another rojmrt declares the city is under martial law. All Tokio newspapers have been destroyed except the “Xiehiniehi Shim bun.” Municipal officials are broadcasting appeals for food and clothing, and Osaka, though herself suffering from ( the effects of the earthquake lias de- , spa (died a shipload of supplies to Tokio. LATER NEWS, ißeceived this day at 9.25 n.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. . ' A wireless from Tomiokn, .Japan, to the Radio Corporation of America reports the Tokio fire has been oxtinguisned. The despatch fur Vier states the fire extended throughout the downtown sections of tokio. destroying the Central Telegraph and Telephone office. The fuo was stopped at noon when a favourable atmospheric and physical conditions assisted tl’o firemen to check the flames. The despatch cabled from New York to-dnv described the conditions fourteen hours before the Tomiokn message was flashed. HEAVIEST EVER REPORTED. ißeocived this day at S a.m.) NEW YORK. Sop. 1. Seismographs along the Pacific coast report the heaviest earthquake otot recorded, covering six hours. During the night the San Francisco radio station learned from Japan that there had been a tremendous upheaval there. AH land telegraphs are down, and railroads disrupted. Messages between Tamioka radio and the inland points were being handled by couriers. •‘Numerous fires in all parts of Yokohama,” said the last message, which indicated many were fleeing from the city, some taking refuge'aboard -ships in the harbour. A later message states the entire city is in flames. I another report. ; PEION, Sept 2. An interrupted message from the - steamer Kore-amaru in Yokohama harbour estimates tens of thousands arc

dead and states tho Tokio fire continues.

Yokohama has been destroyed and its refugees are without provisions and are bseeching ships for food. As many as possible are being taken aboard and fed. Meanwhile the American warship Huron is proceeding to Yokohama with nurses, doctors and medical supplies.

[The population of Yokohama is about 150,000; of Tokio 1] millions; and of Osaka 500,000.]