NUMBER OF THE DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 7

NUMBER OF THE DEAD.

THOUGHT TO BE 500,000. | NEW" YORK, September T. The correspondent of the "New York Times," in a messngo from Iwakt, states , that to-day's advices from the devastated area of Japan place the dead at 500.000. This is considered to be probably a more correct estimate than the earlier estimate. A despatch to the Xcw York "Times'" from Osaka states that order in Tokyo and Yokohama is gradually being restored, but shelter, provision, clothing and carts and lorries are extremely scarce. Troops are concentrated in and around the cities and precautions are being taken against outbreaks of lawlessness. Half a million refugees are encamped , about the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The refugees wait many hours in a line two miles long for one piece of riceball. Parents wander about the streets, some calling the names of lost children and others carrying placards with the names written on them. Troops are constructing shacks, of which the Government has decided to build 12,000. Profiteering is severely punished when discovered, but enormously high prices are being paid for food. There is a great shortage of petrol, and motor traffic lias almost ceased. About an army division is being mobilised to assist in relief and reconstruction work, and to keep order. The entire navy staff is engaged in the transportation of food and other relief material. Army engineers are building 'barracks in open spaces and in the Imperial gardens to house the homeless. Throughout the earthquake zone the homes of the rich have been thrown open to all sufferers. Fears of the financial collapse of Japan at first entertained are not borne out. The authorities are considering the declaration of a partial moratorium, but many banks are continuing to make payments of small sums.— (A. and N.Z.)