JAPAN'S STRICKEN HEART.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 9

JAPAN'S STRICKEN HEART.

A TOUR THROUGH TOKIO.

WASTE OF DESOLATION.

ASHES OF 100,000 BODIES.

HOPE RISES * ETERNAL.

PLANS FOR NEW CITY. By Telegraph?res3 Association— (Received .7.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. TOKIO. Oct. 16. Australian press representatives, as the guests of Count Yoshi, were taken a trip along the Sumida River, on the banks of which Tokio was built. The trip was difficult owing to the destruction of so many river boats. Practically the only vessels now on the river are scows bringing building material to the city. An impressive view was afforded of the destruction wrought by the earthquake and fire. , A desolate waste stretches from the riverbank on either side as far as the eye can see. Such parts of the city .as escaped' destruction are not visible from the river. Only the blackened frames of a few buildings and factory chimneys are standing. For the most part 'is to be seen one long, seemingly endless stretch of rusted, twisted iron, broken bricks and ashes The party passed under numerous damaged bridges, which are now being repaired. For six miles up the river there is nothing but desolation on both sides.' The ruins of the residence of Prince Komatsu, a noted field-marshal, were pointed out, also tho world-famed Mooujima. noted for its cherry gardens, which is now a pitiful scene of desolation. The general devastation is enough to break the heart of any people. All Day Long Dynamiting. At present tho food position in the stricken area of Japan is well in Hand, but daily many Japanese are returning from the country to start life afresh. As all these return, and the cold weather approaches,' there:will undoubtedly be great need for stores.

As soon as the disaster occurred supplies poured in from all parts of Japan, and before proper control was assumed there was much lavish distribution. This is not so now, as relief distribution has been brought under a proper system.

The work has been commenced of removing the debris of the Yokohama Club where a huge mass of fallen masonry prevented a search for bodies. Several corpses of Europeans have already been recovered. All day long dynamiting goes on in Yokohama, where Che ruins of great buildings are being blown ■'&]>, creating terrific clouds of dust. -

So far the town is remarkably free from disease. There is a little typhoid and dysentery, which is not yet serious. Swarms of flies are the most serious men-' ance from the health point of view. Many Japanese are going about, with masks over their mouths and noses, especially in the districts where the death roll was exceptionally'heavy.

One of the most tragic phases of the disaster in Tokio was the death of 38,000 people in the grounds of the military clcthing depot in the Honjo . district. When fire swept the stricken city thousands sought refugo in the open spaces about . the'..military; depot, but the flames and heat overwhelmed them. Corpses were piled several feet high. i; The authorities immediately took steps to cremate the bodies, and their ashes were'added to the dead of other devastated regions, 'so that the remains of more than 100,000 people were collected in these grounds. ,

ICOO Perish in Boiling Pond. Before the heap of ashes ' has been erected a Buddhist shrine and thousands daily come to pay respects at the shrine and to make offerings to the dead. The bereaved take away little boxes of ashes in memory of their lost ones. On Sunday a party of Australians from the Australmount paid their respects, sprinkling a little incense on the shrine and making obeisance before' Che image of Buddha. Buddhist priests asked the Australians to accept little images of Buddha in token of their appreciation; of Australian efforts for relief. •

'When the fire swept the Yoshiwara quarter of Tokio more, than 1000 girls sought refuge in ' a pond but the heat caused the water to boil and the. girliJ were literally boiled to death. Dead are still being recovered in the devastated parts of Tokio.

A 20 miles' drive through the ruined streets of Tokio disclosed the completeness with which the Japanese are grappling with the ■:. problem of reconstruction. Everywhere may.be seen new timber and galvanised ' iron for temporary shacksi. Four days after the earthquake timber ships lefC Puget Sound and the' Japanese immediately rushed all available timber from Hokkaido. - Timber • has, been pouring . into the country ever since. Within a fortnight the Ginza shopping and other districts will resume operations. ./' .

. ■ No Further Supplies Required. , ; In the meantime plans for rebuilding the city are ; being pressed forward. Data Regarding ..,■ meteorology, • geology ■/,, and other matters lias been collected over a number of years and months ago a plan for the ■ reorganisation of Tokio was prepared. . This is. now being adapted to the present circumstances. Dr. Beard, a ; famous American expert in municipal ' administration, is advising the Japanese on ! the question of ; a new and greater Tokio. Tha whole system of municipal administration, ;which is obsolete, will,,bo, revised in the, light of modern methods.

The important question also is, who is going to pay for reconstruction; and are the insurance- companies going to pay any • earthquake arid fire losses? The Government ;; will probably pay for most of the reconstruction, and will' raise the money, if possible, by ;; : domestic loans, but Che insurance. companies are refusing to pay losses and this is a very serious matter. p *-:-" j ■■'■'•. ;■ V/. ; .-. : The notice, ": business as usual," is posted in the Imperial Hotel. This is, an "indication of the return to normal activities in some quarters;'. of She city which escaped the more serious effects of the disaster. The -Ministry for .Foreign Afairs has intimated that no further relief supplies are required, but Japan is very grateful for the assistance already given.