JAPANESE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1923, Page 3

JAPANESE DISASTER.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A I’ATH ICTIC PICT CUE. NEW YORK, September G. Tiic "New York World” lias received a cablegram from the Foreign editor of tile Osaka “Alninichi”, who recounts the foreign refugees’ account of the disaster, at Yokohama. One rclugeo said that, at the first smash, witter (spurted through innumerable cracks in the earth. The land in the lower town sank, and the .streets were JO inches under water after the first shoes. Frantic cnl(s for help came lrom the wreckage. Aid could be given in only a tew cases. Thousands of Japanese, in the native part of i iie city, seemed to die simply of I cart failure. People knelt iri prayer, heedless of the roaring inferno about ticni. They seemed to be dazed, and indifferent to their own fate, and callous to the miseries of those about them. Tliey stared humbly at the burning houses, whence came mad shrieks. Prince Matsukata, previously reported safe, is certain not to have been affected.

The elevated sections of Tokio have been fightled with electricity, after being in darkness for three nights.

CANADA SENDING RELIEF. OTTAWA, September 5. The Canadian Government is shipping foodstuffs to Japan in all available space. The “Empress of Russia” from Vancouver, on Thursday, was filled with malted milk and flour, preliminary to furtuer consignments, when Japan indicates her preference in relief measures. Tho Government is also endeavouring to place some of the Canadian Government’s merchant vessels on special relief service. HONG KONG’S RELIEF EFFORT. HONG KONG, September G. The Earthquake Relief Committee here has concluded arrangements for intercepting cargoes of provisions on route from America. .The committee has purchased TOO tons of rice, which is being dispatched immediately. '!"• <■ shipping companies have ’iitimaicd their willingness to take the i argues there free, the insurance eomoauies underwriting it free. The Chinese firms are waiving their commissions.

CHINESE HELP. (Received this day at 11.45 n.m.) PEKIN, September G. A mandate has been issued, authorising the appropriation of £200,000 for the relief of distress in Japan. Another instructs tile -Minister of Agriculture to appoint delegates who shall cooperate with tne Red Cross in providing clothes, foodstuffs, and medicines. The money voted will be sent out immediately. It is feared that H. A. F. Horne, commercial attache to the British Ambassador is dead. It is reported that eight hundred patients of the Imperial hospital were burned to death. QUAKES IN MANILLA. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) MANILLA, Sept. G. Three distinct earthquake shocks were felt this morning. The Observatory believes these to be from further moderate shocks in Japan. REPORT OF DAMAGE. (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) ' SAN FRANCISCO, Sept, fi.

A radiogram from the Japanese Homo Ministry estimates thirty thousand were killed and one hundred and fifty thousand buildings were destroyed in Tokio.

The Ministry also confirms the report of Yokohama’s total destruction, but declares Prince Sain'onji is safe, although his villa was destroyed. RELIEF SHIPS ARRIVING. (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) HONG KONG, Sept, ti. • The Canadian-Pacific Steamship Coy., has been advised from Kobe that the steamer Empress of Australia, after lieing fouled by two steamers in Tokyo Harbour got clear and is proceeding to Kobe witli refugees and also to pick up relief supplies, and Messrs L. J. Wevile and J. Read, two members of the Company’s staff were killed. Osaka reports that various steamers are arriving from Tokio and 5 okohamu with large numbers of refugees. ■Shanghai reports that a warship dispatch, wirelessed, states that seventy foreigners were killed in Yokohama. ■ none in Tokio, and three in Ilakoue. Other reports state that the worldwide expressions of sympathy and oilers oF assistance have created the profoundext impression throughout Japan. Tho homes of the rich have been thrown open to sufierers. An army of engineers are building barracks in the open spaces in the imperial gardens to house the homeless. Troops protect the banks. It is probable that a ten days! moratorium will he declared, hut the banks continue to pay out sums not exceeding a hundred yen. About an army division is being mobilised to assist" in relief, and reconstruction work and keep order. 1 lie entire navy staff is engaged m the transportation ol looil and other relief JAPAN’S POSITION. NOW A SECOND-CLASS POWER. THE SINGAPORE BASE. (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 7. The “Morning Post’’ says the political effect of the Japanese cataclysm has up to the present, failed to attract the public attention it deserves, the paper adds: “It is recognised here, privately, that tile calamity has had the effect of enormously modifying the whole international situation. Some insist that Japan has been reduced at a stroke to the rank of a second-class power, owing to her terrible material losses, and tho economic set-back they entail. The opinion is expressed that, despite the remarkable energy of her people, and the fact that her fleet is intact, it will take Japan twenty years to resume her position as a first-class power that she occupied a week ago. It is suggested that one outcome ol the entire modification of the situation in the Far East may be that Britain will find it unnecessary to push on with the completion of the proposed powerful naval base at Singapore.”