DISASTER AT LYONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 10

DISASTER AT LYONS.

Distance can only moderate, it cannot destroy, the sense, of horror aroused by news of the catastrophe that has befallen a densely-popu-lated area of the city of Lyons. The city has a long history in which moving talcs of siege and massacre, riot and disease, break often the records of its growth. It has survived every onslaught, without and within, becoming the third in size of the cities of France and a centre of considerable commercial activity and enthusiasm for art. This happening, although precautions may prevent the death-roll from reaching a figure at all comparable with the heavy losses sustained, time and again, in "earlier years, will be accounted among the major calamities suffered. For the sudden engulfing of rows of tenements and lengths of street, in the dead of night, and the overwhelming of many inhabitants in a terrible death, constitutes a tragedy it is well-nigh impossible to exaggerate. As vet, the complete story is not known, but enough is narrated to arouse heartfelt sympathy throughout the world ; and apparently the subsidences and»thcir harrowing effects are not over. After a wjiile, interest will find a focus in the search for an explanation of so remarkable a shifting of an extensive and long-occupied tract of land; there is apparently good reason to believe that a contributing cause dates from very early times. But at present there is little temptation to speculate concerning the origin of the disaster; the first effect of the news is to impart the touch that makes the whole world kin. In M. Herriot's hurrying to the scene, in spite of illness, is an incident representative of the concern of all France. With that concern other countries join, hoping that the disturbance may be stayed before further toll of lives is taken, and that the work of rescue and restoration may proceed speedily and without additional reason for pity.