IN STRICKEN JAPAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18530, 15 October 1923, Page 7

IN STRICKEN JAPAN.

'AUSTRALIANS' REPORT APPALLING DESOLATION. RELIEF SHIP ARRIVES. Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 4.50 p.m.) A. and N.Z. TOKIO. Oct. 13. The Australian relief ship, Australmount, has arrived. The greater part of Tokio lies in ashes. It is an appalling and . staggering sight. The latest estimates place the total oS lolled at 78,000 and the missing, 120,000. The number of houses destroyed in Tokio alone was 35,000 and few buildings were left untouched. The press and leaders of the people expressed to tho Australian visitors profound gratitude for the help extended byi Australia, the .United Stales, Canada and other countries to Japan in her hour of affliction. Such tokens of friendship and goodwill have deeply touched the people and will never be forgotten. From Yokohama to Tokio, a distance of 18 miles, the country presents a scene of pitiable desolation. Hardly a house escaped damage. Big landslides and great fissures are to bo seen; bridges are down; the railway is destroyed in places, and much rolling stock is irreparably damaged. The people are now calmer and are determined to rebuild a greater city. Dr. Beard, an American city planning expert, is here to help in tho great task. Earthquake shocks were responsible for many deaths but the greatest number of lives were lost in fires, the result of the flimsy character of tho houses in the congested area. The new city is to ba planned on more modern lines. The conflagration lasted two days and nights and the ruins are still smouldering in some places. Tokio's material losses are estimated at? over £1,000 million. Great barracks and thousands of tents have been erected to afford temporary housing for the strickon people, The Government is applying itself in a wonderful manner to the task of sheltering, feeding and clothing tho people and tending the injured and sick. The American red oross is rendering invaluable assistance. It is estimated that 500,000 people are unemployed. Nineteen thousand factories were destroyed.