JAPANESE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 3

JAPANESE DISASTER.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SHANGHAI. Sept. 3. Reporti from Tokio state that- the Imperial Theatre, the Imperial T'tli- ) Torsi tv it ml other important buildings are demolished, The (ire is ratline in Osaka. Tin correspondent of the newspaper “Osaka Mainiohi” reports that the terrible earth shocks in Tokio were repeated over ten times and all buildings were either completely or partially destroyed. The people lied to the open spaces. The shocks continued intermittently from the morning till sundown. Tires broke out everywhere and were fanned by a strong breeze, being soon beyond control. He estimates that two hundred thousand houses were reduced to ashes. When the correspondent left Tokio on Sunday evening the fire was still raging, and the casualties could not he estimated. Steamers are being sent from other ports, laden with food and other necessities, for the relief of the distressed people. A wireless message reports that two hundred thousand people in Yokohama are homeless and loodless. Thousands are taking refuge on the steamers. A serious conflagration is raging in Yokosuka where the naval buildings and hospitals were burned. Medical assitanee is being organised as rapidl - ns possible and aeroplane squadrons are being utilized in the rescue work. The Prince Regent is safe though he had a narrow escape. HUNDREDS OK TOW XT WIPED OUT. NEW YORK, Kept. 2. Various Press reports from Shanghai give the following information about the Japanese disaster, 'lokle city is in ruins. To-dav it was again shaken by another earthquake. The Tokio arsenal exploded, injuring many relief workers, and starting new fires, which are continuing the general destruction. All the vacant grounds are filled with refugees. Thousands are fleeing to the countryside.

Rukawawa, Senji, Yokosuka, Asakusa, Kansa, Hongo, Shinagawa, and Jlo are among the towns and cities partially or totally destroyed. Communication with the stricken areas is now possible only by airplane and a .Japanese lieutenant who arrived by this means ait Osaka carried a message from the Japanese .Minister of War, requesting that appeals should he made for foreign aid immediately. The entire Japanese Fleet has been

ordered to proceed to Yokohama for rescue work. Some British warships > -near Yokohama have steamed to that ' port to take' part in the relief work. «*' The water supply in Yokohama and Tokio is cut off. The Saske Railway Tunnel, which is Japan's largest, collapsed. Hundreds of towns which were skirting Mount, Fujiyana have been wiped out by a landslide, ft is the greatest disaster in the history of Japa.n TOKIO AND YOKOHAMA. SOME SUBURBS DESTROYED. (B-eeoived this day at 8 a.m.) VANCOUVER, Sept. 2 jX, At Yokohama a fire started at Bund Street spreading to Aizaki amt Benton streets, demolishing the business districts. The- Tokio central railway station remains intact hut the lofty buildings opposite were burned and the chief telephone and telegraph offices Mere destroyed by the fire. In some suburbs there is hardly a single .structure left standing. The British cruiser that was despatched lias arrived and is directing rescue work. The wireless operator describes Tokio and Yokohama like a hell, tile buildings falling and the dead and dying on all sides. The fate of many small ships in Yokohama harbour is unknown. Some refugees, who reached the Korea Main, told harrowing stories about Yokohama. The latest sky-scrapers there toppled into the streets. Then mgihty conflagrations swept entire districts. The Marouliuncdii Tokio, the Orient’s largest building, and 1 the detached Imperial ’Palace at Nhinigawa, became a prey to the flames. The binning of the bridges across the Tokio Canal pievented thousands from escaping from the flaming area.

Military, firemen and police joined in the fight against the Humes, but the confusion was terrific. The steamer Korea. Marti heard nothing of the British or the American embassies’ fate. PEKIN, -Sept. 2. The Osaka and Kobe municipalities have voted 100.000 yen for relief, and are also sending rice. Yokohama, reports that dead bodies are scattered everywhere. Tons of thousands of refugees are gathered in llio park- there. EARTHQUAKE LASTS It HOURS. 300 SQUARE MILES IN FLAMES. -LONDON. Septcnioer 3. The “Daily Ch ronicle’s” New York correspondent- states: “Radio messages report that an earthquake, lasting for 90 minutes, caused devastation over 300 miles of the most- thickly populated area- of Japan, which all later on became one mass of flames. 'I ne tower in the Asakusa Park, a Tokyo pleasure garden, which was 220 leet- high, collapsed, killing several hundred of people. All the railway bridges and many of the railway stations in the affected urea tumbled into ruins. There is great anxiety regarding the fate ol the Biitish and Americans in Japan, especially those in Yokohama, where a- tidal wave has sent the inhabitant flying torcr-strickon to the interior. However, a majority of the foriegners have their homes on the higher land of Yokohama, so they may have escaped.

Y OK 0 H A MA’ S C'A TAoT 1? OT’HTC. SHANGHAI, September a. A wireless message reports that two hundred thousand people in Yokohama are homeless and foodless, Thousands are taking refuge on the steamers. A serious conflagration is raging in Yokohama, "hero naval buildings, and hospitals were burned. Medical assistance is being organised as rapidly ns possible. Aeroplanes squadrons are being utilised in rescue work. The Prince Regent is safe, though he had a narrow escape at times. VARIOUS ayirelkss REPORTS. (Received this day at 9.2 J a.m.) NEW YORK. August a. A united Press message from Pekin states the Japanese Prince Regent is variously reported saved and missing in oineial wireless messages. One intercepted message declared that Premier Yamamotu had been attacked on the day of ns a result of which it was reported he had gone into hiding. Despite the disorder, a- new Cabinet had been formed, while buildings were afire all about the Premier and bis advisers. Another intercepts, message stale? the entire island of Enosbiina said into the sea during the earthquakes. Ships’ reports from Japan indicate r majority of tho vessels in Yokohama harbour were saved; by tho prompt notion of their commanders, who antici-.

pated a tidal wave and steamed tc safety.

WASHINGTON. Sept. .1,

Admiral Anderson, commanding the Asiatic 'Fleet, reports by radio from Port Arthur that lie has despatched eight destroyers to the scene of the disaster, carrying food, medicine and supplies of clothing, which were expected to arrive on Ith. September. Radio messages received through San Francisco stating state looting has been added to the horrors in Tokio. where six looters have been killed under martial law. Municipal relief work was proceeding and refugees were being supplied with provisions in front of the railway station, which was unharmed by the earthquake. I)KSTRU(TION COMPLETE. (Received this day at 12.4,5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Sept. 8 Report.-, state that the destruction of Tokio is so complete that it is possible that the national capital will he teni|>orarily transferred to Kyoto or Osaka. The. Prince Regent has ordered his palaces to he thrown open loi the refugees. Tile King of England has cabled the Emperor expressing his horror and profound sympathy in the appaling disaster.