JAPAN’S DARK HOUR.

Patea Mail, Volume XLVI, 5 September 1923, Page 2

JAPAN’S DARK HOUR.

EARTHQUAKES AND TIRES HALT A MILLION DEAD It is believed that half a million deaths arc involved in the greatest disaster in the history of Japan. Later details show that, while Yokahama is almost completely destroyed and Tokio is in ruins, several smaller cities have been completely destroyed, with appalling loss of life. Another earthquake shook Tokio on Sunday, and started new fires, adding to the destruction. Thousands of refugees are homeless, and chaos and confusion reign over a wide area. BRITISH SHIPS TO THE RESCUE The entire Japanese fleet has been ordered to proceed to Yokohama for rescue work. British warships near Yokohama steamed to the port to take part in the relief work. The water supply in Yokohama and Tokio is cut off. The Saskc railway tunnel, which is Japan’s largest tunnel, collapsed. Hundreds of towns which skirt Mt. Fujyama were wiped out by landslides. It is the greatest disaster in tlnf history of Japan. TOKIO AN INFERNO • The Tokio Central Railway station remains intact, but lofty 'buildings op posit© were burned. The chief telephone and telegraph offices were destroyed by fire. ' In some suburbs of Tokio hardly a single structure is left standing. The British cruiser Despatch has arrived, and is directing rescue work. The wireless operator describes Tokio and Yokohama as being like hell. Buildings' are failing and the dead and dying are on all sides, _ , .: i i SKYSCRAPERS FALL Refugees who reached the steamer Korea Maru told harrowing stories. Yokohama's, skyscrapers toppled into the streets and then mighty conflagrai tions swept entire districts. At Tokio the Orient’s largest building and the detached Imperial Palace at Uhinigawa became a prey to the flames. Burning bridges across tho Tokio Canal prevented thousands from escaping from the flaming areas. Military, firemen and police joined in the fight against the flames, but the confusion was terrific. The Korea Maru heard nothing of the fate of the British and American Embassies.