THE JAPANESE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 2

THE JAPANESE DISASTER

INTERESTIN'O DETAII -S

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ,Received this day at 8.30 a.in.) SYDNEY, Oct. !>. The steamer Meriones, which has reached Newcastle from Japan, brings interesting details of the relief work. Amongst the many pathetic sights tlie most touching was that of hundreds of children who were orphaned by the disaster. and who were wandering the streets, crying piteously lor their parents whom they will never again see. For the first few days food and other necessaries were very scarce, but when the relief ships arrived, they were plentiful. Good progress lias been made in moving the homeless masses from the stricken surroundings. The zoological gardens in Yokohama were amongst the places destroyed, releasing the wild basts which created consternation and death until stops could he taken to destroy them. Chetrv Blossom Park presented a remarkable appearance as thousands who fled there were surrounded by flames and roasted to death. It is estimated that eight thousand, who were penned in the park so perished. Tales are told of the heroism of the ‘Japanese in rescue work; also ol ti.o ghoulish work by robbers searching the dead and wounded among the debris.