The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1935. EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20090, 23 April 1935, Page 6

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1935. EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.

World-Wide sympathy will be extended to the Japanese nation because of the loss of life and possessions suffered in Formosa in what lias been described as the worst earthquake in the history of the territory affected. But the Japanese people have such big hearts and sturdy confidence in their own destiny, that they will begin at once to repair the shattered towns and retrieve, ns far as possible the loss inflicted upon Formosa by the devastating cou-_ vulsions of nature that have literally shaken the island to its very foundations. It is something to be said for pluck and perseverance of the Japanese that despite the frequency of seismic activity, they have within a comparatively short span of years marched out of the darkness of barbarism into the very forefront of the nations of the world. Japan is subject to marked displays of seismic violence. One steadily exercised influence is constantly at work for the shores bordering on the Pacific Ocean are slowly though appreciably rising while on the side of the Japan Sea, a corresponding subsidence is taking place:

Of earthquakes large and small Japan has had an exceptional abundance. Thus in the thirteen years ending in 1897—that is to say, the first period when really scientific apparatus for recording purposes was available— Japan was visited by no fewer than 17,750 shocks; an average of more than three shocks every day. If calculations be carried further back—as was done by the seismic disaster investigation committee of Japan, a body of scientists constantly engaged in studying these phenomena under government auspices—it is found that, since the country’s history began to be written in the Bth century A.D., there have been 2006 major disturbances.

Configuratively speaking the territory of Japan and the adjacent seas are most foreboding in relation to human existence. At the moment there arc at least 20 active volcanoes in the Nipponese Kingdom. Asnma, the largest active volcano in Japan, mentioned in the cable messages this morning, presents an aweinspiring spectacle when in eruption, with its crater of something like threequarters of a mile in circumference, and its sides honeycombed and burned to a red hue. But if the island of Formosa can boast the highest sea cliffs in the world (8000 ft) ; it is also adjacent to the Philippine deep of 32,000 ft —the “biggest hole” in the oceans of the giobe. Moreover, Japan literally hangs by the “skin of her teeth” on the very edge of one of the great ocean deeps of the world. The sea bottom off the coast of Japan slopes very abruptly, descending precipitously at a point not far from the north-east coast of the main island, where soundings have shown 27,930 ft. This is the Tuscarora Deep. The configuration seems to point to a colossal crater under the ocean, and many of the earthquakes which visit Japan appear to have their origin in this submarine region. It is known that the Tuscarora Deep is the centre of intense seismic activity, often resulting in devastating tidal waves, as well as violent convulsions which visit death and destruction on the mainland. It is interesting to mention that some parts of Japan enjoy immunity from earthquake shocks: nevertheless, a race that can make progress so remarkable that the whole world has been impressed, in a territory that bears irreparable scars inflicted by the periodical convulsions of nature, is deserving of the sympathy of the enlightened Western peoples in the face of the disaster that has now fallen upon the people of an important possession of a progressive, proud and ancient people. HALF WAY THROUGH. Impartial observers of the Roosevelt Recovery Plan are beginning to ask the American people, as the Presidential term passes its half w;iy mark, whether there has been that measure of spiritual recovery that was aimed at by Mr Roosevelt, in his message to Congress when lie said; “The people of America are turning as never before to those permanent values that are not limited to the physical obligations of life.” It is readily recognised, of course, that in Washington every estimate of the Administration’s success at half-time is subject to the pulls of all sorts of prejudices. And at the moment, when party interests are becoming more and more active, is about the worst possible moment to try to' evaluate what lias been done in these historic two years that have passed into history since Mr Roosevelt's hand seized the tiller of the Ship of State. As one observer says; The lesson of the New Deal’s second year is an old one: it is far more difficult to finish a task than it is to start. And the job of the Washington Administration now is to administer rather than to initiate. Up till the end of the last session of Congress, Washington was still the centre of a brand new world where breath-taking ventures were being hatched overnight. It was very easy to push these ventures through Congress, very easy to explain what wonderful things were going to be done. Twelve months ago Mr Roosevelt’s Administration was passing through exhilarating days. It

was the Spring in the life of the new Administration. The quarterdeck —in Mr Roosevelt’s chosen figure of speech—knew dozens of dazzling moments in the great game—all designed to get to the opponents’ goal line in no time at all. Few of the movements had ever been tested against battering opposition. President Roosevelt in those days was the buoyant initiator, ne had glorious plans —all work out on paper! Presidential messages rolling easily from his pen, daily went sweeping triumphantly up Capitol Hill and sweeping back down again for his signature. It was idyllic and simple. It was natural and Mr Roosevelt was hailed as the greatest planner of the age. Then began the job of carrying out tlie impressive plans that has gone smoothly through the American Houses of Legislature with the backing of the President. Now has come the testing times, and the United States is in the midst of experimentation:

Many plans are cracking under the strain. The N.R.A. Is at a standstill, the A.A.A. has changed direction. The public works programme is admitted not to have accomplished its purposes. Only in the most general sense can these ventures be said to have been successful. But in that sense and up to now the New Deal lms really wrought great changes. The broad doctrine of social values above materialism has made progress; indeed, the most persistent critics say that it cannot truthfully be said that business practices to-day are not better than they were two years ago; there has been a large measure of bank reform, topped by the important reform of deposit insurance; even in the bitter field of labour relations, the American people have been lifted out of depression depths, collective bargaining is somewhat strengthened and there is added machinery—some of which has worked well in several crises—for settling industrial disputes. Observers at Washington say:

The achievements under the Roosevelt ’ Administration, as everybody admits, are far short of the glittering dreams of the “Roosevelt Revolution.” But only the blindest partisanship can deny that there have been results. And it is fruitless to speculate whether results would have been greater if the American people had decided to elect somebody else President. At the moment it is undeniable that the President’s programme is bogged fast. He is caught between Left and Right, and is momentarily without the support of either side. Work at the Presidential desk was exhilarating a year ago. Now it is rather hard labour, involving not the bold lines of the blue print but the sledge mattock of the ditch. Nevertheless, to broadminded Washington observers the conclusion recently offered a well known and rather critical writer is said to ring true: “Reverses have brought new and wiser counsels. If these prevail, the President can come to 1936 as the restorer of the land and the apostle of twentieth century Liberalism.” But if the waves of criticism now becoming perceptible in all parts of the- American republic increase in volume and violence as the months go by. Mr Roosevelt might find himself in sorry straits at the end of his present tenure of office. But President Roosevelt does not measure national recovery by tbe return of material prosperity. To this must be added the President’s own injunction, a measure of spiritual recovery, which he regards as the first and last necessity. SCHOOL JUBILEES Although jubilee celebrations in relation to old established schools have become a fairly frequent occurrence in recent years in the life of a community whose history goes back something like seventy or eighty years, something of a distinction surrounds any school which attains the proud distinction of celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of its foundation. Hence the friendly and general interest associated with the diamond jubilee celebrations of Washdyke School. There is no pleasure comparable to the enthusiasm and gratification experienced by former pupils of an old-established school who assemble after long years of separation to fraternise on the sixtieth anniversary of an institution which can revive so many cherished and hallowed memories. It is not the mere building that draws ex-pupils from all parts of the country to participate in the celebrations, but tbe unforgotten associations of the bright days of youth at school. The diamond ■jubilee celebrations of the school at Washdyke, with its sixty years of valuable service ns the cradle of many who have advanced to an enlightened citizenship, served to remind the community of the place primary education occupies in the scheme of national affairs. There is laid the foundation of careers of potential citizens. It was this recognition of the place the primary school occupies in the life of every member of the community and deep appreciation of the opportunities a national system of education offers to boys and girls in their most impressionable years, that infused such enthusiasm into the well-organ-ised diamond jubilee, celebrations at Washdyke School, and invested every function with the spirit of appreciation of the work of the school and with joyousness at the renewal of old friendships which become, as the years go by, the most cherished possessions of all ex-pupils.