Great Disaster in Japan

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 1, 3 September 1923, Page 5

Great Disaster in Japan

FIRE AFTER EARTHQUAKE. Press Association— -Copyright. A-m----tralian and N.Z. Uabla AsswciathC., , San Franyi.jiX), September 1. The entire city of Yokohama is on fire, following upon an earthquake. There have been, numerous casualties. Word of the : Yokohama fire vvaa rcoqived here in a message- from the Japanese radio station at. Iwaki to tlie Radio Cor] wratiion of America’s local station. It says: “Coßiflagration occurred subsequent to severe earthquake at Yokohama, on Saturday. Practicably the who’ie city ablaze. Numerous casualties.” Tlie Radio Coiporation of America announce that ah' connection with Japan was lost at nine this ro.orning. Apparently all .the land lines, in the north-eastern section of Japan are down.

RECORD EARTHQUAKE. New York, September 1. Seismographs along the Public coast report the heaviest earthquake over recorded, covering six hours during the night. Tho San Francisco raadio station learned from Japan that there hat! been a tremendous upheaval there. AH land telegraphs are down and railroads disrupted). Messages W tween the Tamioka radio and inland points were being 'handled by couriers. There are numerous fiires in all parts of Yokohama.. The. last message indicated that many were* fleeing from ibo city,.some taking refuge on board ships in the harbour. A later message states the entire city i<s in flames.

RELIEF OF SUFFERERS. Washington, September 1. After conferring with .President Coolidae, the Navy Departanehfc ordered We commander of the Asiatic fleet to rush his** vessels to Yokohama for the relief of the earthquake sufferer's. > .";

TOKIO ON FIRE. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. San Francisco, September 2. A Tokio despatch says the entire town district of Tokio haa been swfcpt by fire. Many buildings in the city collapsed and the water system was destroyed. The loss of life is heavy. All traffic is suspended. The flames are spreading to surrounding town:?. According to a. message to the Radio Corporation refugees are running in aJI directions. Tho city presents a sceji# like hell. Many trains were wrecked. It is reported a severe tidal wave struck the coast at Yokohama.

It wjas reported the flames were tinder cxmtrol at noon to-day. The central telegraph and telephone offices and nearly all the branch offices wore destroj r od. There is only radio communication with the devastated region.

Prince Hfroh'ito and his household are safe. According to a radio messago the only means of communication with Japan is through the Tamioka station

The disaster is apparently general along the Japanese coast. The only survivor so far reaching Hainioka reported that the dead in Tokio alone are incalculable.

A number of trains running to Tokio were wrecked during tho 'quake. It is reported a tidal wave struck the Yokohama coast.

A refugee told a wireless agent that at the first shock tires broke out in various parts of Tokio a.nd destroyed the Misukoshi departmental store, the metropolitan police board building, the Imperial Theatre and many other largo buildings. The fire is spreading from Senju to Shinagawa. The flames are visible seven miles from Tokio. Seven hundred were reported killed when a twelve-storey tower at Asakus fell.

Many boats were sunk in the tidal wave in the Bay of Surga.. Most of the houses at NumaKU collapsed. It is rumored the Imperial Palace is in, dangor.

COUNTRY OVERWHELMED. CITIES RAZED TO GROUND. MISERY OF THE POPULACE. Preas Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Oble Association. (Received 9.0 a.m.) New York, September 2. The .Japanese Legation has received the first available details of the enrtbqus&Oj ftdai jvsive?, and fire.

which sucoesssively overwhelmed portions of Japan, causing damage and casualties the extent of which can only bo surmised. The Legation's intelligence declares that no buildings remain standing in Yokohama, while nearly all Osaka's and Tokio's principal structures were destroyed by the earthquake. Then came the tidal wave, engulfing the naval station near Yokohama, wrecking skips in the rivers and harbours, and demolishing the waterfront structures. Then came the fire, starting almost simultaneously over a twentymile area and devouring the splintered debris, while the doomed populace vainly sought shelter.