EYE-WITNESS IN TOKIO

Evening Post, Volume 55, Issue 55, 3 September 1923, Page 8

EYE-WITNESS IN TOKIO

SHOCKS LASTED ALL DAY

TERRIFIC DESTRUCTION OF

HOUSES,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN • NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received- 3rd September, 1. p.m.)

SHANGHAI, 3rd September.

Reports from ToEio state that the Imperial Theatre, the Imperial University, and other important buildings have been demolished. Fire is raging in Akasaka.

A correspondent of the newspaper "Osaka Mainichi" reports terrible shocks at Tokio, repeated over ter times. All buildings were either completely or partially destroyed, and people fled into the .open spaces. The shocks continued intermittently from morning till sundown. Fires broke out everywhere, and-, fanned by a atrong wind, were soon beyond control.

Ha estimates that two hundred thousand houses had been reduced to ashes when he left Tokio on Sunday evening, and the fire was still raging. The number of casualties could not be estimated. Steamers were being sent from other ports, laden with food and other necessities, to relieve the distressed. A wireless message ' reports that two hundred thousand people ,in Yokohama are homeless and without food. Thousands are taking refuge on steamers.

There. was a serious conflagration at the Yokosuka "naval buildings, and the hospitals were burned. Medical assistance is. being organised as rapidly as possible, and squadrons 1 of aeroplanes are being utilised for .rescue work.

The Prince Regent is. safe, but had a narrow escape.