JAPANESE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1923, Page 3

JAPANESE DISASTER

SITE AT lOX DESCRIBED. (Special to Australian Press Assn.) .Received this day at S.3U a.m.) TDK 10. October 13. The load and clothing sent from other fails of .lapan and dilleient countries is now so plentilul that n 1 fear is entertained in that respect, but lew people possess more than they stand in. Their homes and all their possessions have gone and there is tragic distress on all sides. Bodies are still being unearthed from the debris, which lies in great and tangled heaps. 'I lie military authorities are conducting salvage work and thousands are employed elcaring the min*. Furiuuntci.v the weather is cooler, the rainy season having set ill. Otherwise a serious epidemic was certain. Numerous cases of tvpfmid and dysentery lire reported hut no great epidemic is feared.

The Australmount's shipment includes a large quantity ot medical stores which are much needed and appreciated. Yokohama is a city ot smells of sulpha- mixed with decaying matter. T»kio is less objectionable in this i aspect but many of the canals are stagnant through a, breakdown ol the watci works. thus causing tphoid. ’'lie authorities are overcoming this as rapidly as possible. It is natural that in the first excitement many incorrect statements were made, her instance it was cabled to Australia that the earthquake was caused by an active volcano on the island of Oshima erupting, then sinking into the sea and later leappearing. When approaching Yokohama, taptaiu James, of the Australmount. wirelessed for any change in the sailing din'd ions. He got a reply from an American ship that there was no special change. Oshima Island, which is seven dies long and forty miles from Yokohama, was not much affected hut the lighthouse was damaged and no tight is vis idle at Tokio. p t is now stated that the cnrtliqna • originated in the sinking of the bed of the sea. north of Oshima. in Salami Bay as soundings show a greatei depth than before the earthquake.

THE STRICKEN CITY. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF TOKIO this day at 9.0 a.m.) TOKIO, Oct. 13. The more one sees of the stricken city, the more he realises the terrible destruction. No warfare could reduce

a city to ashes like this. From the heights of Fycno Park, a scene of awful desolation is unfolded. Tens of thousands of temporary timber buildings, shops and dwellings dot tbe landscape. Here and there a building which was not destroyed, stands out is striking contrast. The rebuilding svill take gears. Great emporiums are now carrying on in small timber sheds and others are conducting business on the footpaths in shacks. Hundreds of thousands ’of people are camped, in timber barracks and tents in various parks.

Pressmen viewed the ruined oily in company with Count Tushie who recently visited Australia, and were driven in a ear through miles of streets formerly occupied by prosperous traders. The scene baffled description In Fukugawa ward torty thousand people were trapped by the flames ana ail wore burned to death. Hardly a stick i- left,, standing. Hanks, factories. school-, and mercantile houses till shared tbe -ante fate. Ten out ol eleven theatres were destroyed, including the Imperial which was owned largely by the Royal Family. The Emperor's Palace i- set on a hill and protected !>v a stone wall and moats dating from tiie old days. The Emperor looked down from his high mount on the burning, city crashing to ruins. The lainous Kwauunn temple in Usnkusa Park had a remarkable escape, while the building- till around were dost roved, and this appealed to the superstitious beliefs of the people. The road leading to the temple is always crowded by tourists and the faithful, but there wore never greater crowds than now. The escape of this Buddhist temple is regarded as miraculous and the poupk of the city and country are flocking there throwing coins to Buddha and praying with bowed heads. The feeling of tlit* people is one of resignation, hut not despair. They have resolved to turn the great calamity to good account. The lire was a great purifier and ha- wiped out all the .-Ittnis, and gives a e-ha nee to plan a city on modern lines. Old Japan is dead and (he new Japan is in the making. Years must elaose before Tokio rises out of the ashes. Flashlights from Japanese irstios sweeping the ruins of Die devastated (ity. and the red glow of hunting coal, giving Die imp-tvs-ion of a vast funeral pyre, are the first impressioie of Yokohama at night and when the siiq rises a vast panorama ol desolation is unfolded. The great city has heroine a vast area of debris with thousands of Japanese scratching among the ruins for the dead, and for Inst belongings. Order lias now been restored, martini law is in I'nrro and curfew rings at six o’clock. All day the surviving population works amongst the ruins, and Irom Die ashes are arising little shacks of dilapidated galvanized iron. Dotted here and there are staring temporary offices made of new timber. Only a few husks ol the palatial offices remain, and owing tii Die fallen 111:1-011-•y. many buildings are still not examined and one of these includes the Oriental hotel. Most ol the foreigners uho resided in the Bluff area have gone to Kobe or their own countries. Life in Yokohama is very difficult.

and thousands of Japanese have gone to Die country. Other- are living in tile ruins, and some in barracks. All work ill order In procure Die rebel stores which are sold at a nominal rate. About three hundred foreigners are left out of the six thousand, mostly clothed ie shorts and oddments. Some are living aboard ship, including the British Consul. Their position is serious, and a. portion of the Aust ralmoiint’s stores have licet! devoted to their benefit. The Salvation Armv is doing good work amongst the loreigu rclugecs. Otherwise, apart Irtim private efforts, work i- under the control oi (he au-

thorities. There were 35; )() liott-e- de.-t roved, and not Jo'tKlß as stated in a ptevitius

JAPANESE PREPARATIONS. (Received this day at 11. If) a.m.) TOKIO. Oct. BE Militarv parties are engaged in both Yokio and Aokohamn. in dynamiting Die ruins of buildings, nrior to rebuilding operations. Thousands of workmen are heaping the debris into vast mound- beside Die roadways. Though there are a few complaints, Government teems to have handl'd the situation creditably. Ihe wuole administration was turned upside down and the wonder is that. Die Government did nut collapse in the panic, instead of systematical organising i'll immense relief work'. Ihe Japanese tube the position philosophically am. through all gleams the perpetual -Ta-p.sno-e smile) From Cabinet Minister: to workman oil tlio icmp'irarv biiiMino> mill rofusoos, nil DTivt. you with :*• «nii!e.