JAPAN: The Earthquake’s Toll

Shocks. It was estimated that Japan suffered more than 1,000 seismic shocks during the period Sept. 1-13. The disturbance is now reported to have completely quieted down.

Damage. Latest reports show that only half Tokyo was destroyed; the other half was severely damaged. The outer harbor at Yokohama was reported in fit condition for landing cargo, but the inner harbor was said to be unsafe. Nearly all steel-constructed buildings and bridges withstood the quake, including the famed Imperial Hotel, which was previously reported in ruins. It was estimate that 315,824 houses were destroyed.

Foreign Relief. Nearly all countries of the world continued to collect money forand ship materials to Japan. The U. S. collected more than $8,000,000, of which over $7,000,000 was raised by the American Red Cross. The City of New York, which started out to raise $1,000,000, raised over $3,000,000. In addition to this cash, large quantities of raw materials for reconstruction purposes, food and clothing were shipped to the devastated area. The Soviet Government sent supplies “for laborers only “; the Japanese Government refused them.

Japanese Relief. Viscount Goto (“Roosevelt of Japan”), Home Minister, presided over a Relief Commission which is to distribute a fund of over $10,000,000.

Japanese Finance. The Japanese Government decided to utilize all its budget surpluses, amounting to about $180,000,000, for reconstruction purposes. The Bank of Japan opened its doors to other reliable banks for the raising of capital. The Bank announced that it was prepared to grant financial assistance on broad lines, accepting as security not only regular mortgages but local bonds, debentures, shares, bills, merchandise, or other documentary security.

Casualties. The uncompleted returns of casualties revealed fewer dead than was at first shown, even by Conservative estimates: Tokyo: 77,823 dead, 120,000 missing. Yokohama: 33,767 dead. The total injured of both cities is placed at more, than 1,000,000 people, but the report is probably exaggerated.

Prince Hirohito. Crown Prince and Regent Hirohito sent an aeroplane to ascertain the fate of his parents, Emperor Yoshihito and Empress Sadako. The aviator flew over the Palace at Nikko and dropped a message directing that a flag be waved if the Mikado and the Empress were safe. A flag was soon after waved and the aviator sped with the good news to the Crown Prince.

Reconstruction. Signs are that Tokyo will eventually emerge from the appalling earthquake disaster a brighter and better city; the transformationis not likely to be much protracted. After the Yokohama fire of 1919, 60 blocks of houses were built in two weeks. Dr. Charles A. Beard, former professor of politics at Columbia University, was sent for by Japan to aid in reconstructing the city of Tokyo. Wider streets will be made and a larger percentage of modern buildings, instead of bamboo houses, are to be erected.