JAPANESE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1923, Page 2

JAPANESE DISASTER.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A SURVIVOR’S TAL.E OSAKA, Sept. 11. A lotto survivor, singed nnd nearly crazed, told a story of perhaps tho worst single tragedy in the Tokio earthquake. The narrator revealed how, when the fires stnrteil amid tho wreckage, ho with 32,000 others rushed into a fifteen acre clearing, flanked by a stockade of buildings on all sides, situated near the Hvgoogoku station in Tokio’s Honjos district. Gradually house after house took fire, which licked into tho huddled mass of humanity, causing many to he trampled to death. The wind then increased in velocity, sttting fire to more buildings, while the crowd awaited in panic the onrush of destructive flames. Meanwhile the stench of burning bodies in their midst became almost unbearable, crazing many, who rushed into the whirlwind of flames. Tho narrator alone escaped by rolling himself in a water soaked quilt, which accidentally opened when tho soldiers later arrived. TYPHOID EPIDEMICS. OSAKA, Sept. 12. An American naval report from Tokio states that there is n serious epidemic of typhoid at the main refugee centre. The general public of Tokio aro not being allowed to approach the great crematorium there, where fifty thousand corpses aro being burned as rapidly as possible. The bodies aro stripped of tho watches and jewellery on thorn before cremation. These aro amounting to many heaped boxes. BRITISH REFUGEES. OSAKA, Sept. 12. Japanese refugees aro now pouring in here. The train service is becoming gradually restored. The larger and normal cities arc well organised for relief work, with Red Cross units, military and medical, also trained nurses, ambulances, distributors of relief, and supplies of clothing. The Osaka, Nagoya, and Kyoto railway stations arc surrounded by great crowds to meet the surviving relatives. The police are roping off lanes to permit an entrance- to and an exit from the streets. The Japanese authorities aro cooperating in every way with foreign relief committees. The foreign ■ refugees, particularly those from Yokohama, are piling up reports of the faithfulness of their Japanese servants, frequently- to death.

Lists of the survivors show that the number of foreign deaths in Yokohama is not in excess of one hundred. Tho small number is due to the absence of many of the foreign women and children at mountain resorts. The Rev Eustace Strong, of tho Yokohama Union Church, says that everyone testifies to the wonderful devotion, courage, and unselfishness of tho Japanese servants. The behaviour of the Japanese generally towards the foreigners throughout lias boon one of great sympathy. Mr William Styles, of Sale and Frazers’ firm says that he has a golden opinion of the Japanese people’s behaviour during anil after the earthquake. There was possible only one opinion of the goodwill of the Japanese and of the foreigners’ kindness to each other. They were ready to share whatever they had. He personally had watched the crew of a Japanese launch refuse all condensed drinking water that was intended for the use of residents on shore, who are now dependent on this source. The shore water supply is contaminated. ROYAL VICTIMS. OSAKA, Sept. 11. The Imperial Prince Nijoatsumoto and his daughter were swept away by the tidal wave at Yamekura. Tho daughter’s body has been washed ashore. WHAT RELIEF IS SOUGHT. SYDNEY, Sept. 12. Official messages received by the Consul-General for Japan confirm and elaborate many of the earthquake details. The official cables are asking that any donations for relief in goods should be preferably building and roofing material, ready made clothing, particularly cotton and woollen underwear, blankets, and flannel. CHINESE UNITY. PEKING, Sept. 11. Li Yuam Lung hits arrived at Shanghai aboard a specially charatored Japanese steamer. He has issued a telegraphic circular that he must carry out his duty to the country in upholding the constitution. He also has wired for Sun Vat Sen, requesting his co-operation.