New-York tribune., 1872-05-24
THE GREAT FIRE IN YEDO.

DESTRUCTION OF A LARGE PORTION OF THE
CITY-FIVE THOUSAND EDIFICEs IN RUINS
TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
YEDO, April 22.-On the afternoon OF the 81
inst, at about $3.50 oclock-the hour when the little
foreign community Of the center Of Yedo finds itself at
leisure each day-a fire broke out in building formerly
occuped by one Of the great DamiO but recently
used as barracks for the soldiers who guard the inner
entrances to the Mikados castle. At this season
of the year fires OF altogether too IRE
auen occurrence attract particular attention. unless
they appear threaten unusual amount OF desruc-
ton; and in this case, although high wind was blow
ing there was little reason 10 apprehend especial danger
The yasik, in which it originated, was separated on
three sides by walls and broad moats from all
other buildings and under ordinary circumstances might
have been entirely consumed without peril the neigh
borhood Part of it, indeed, happens is still stand
ing Solely because 1t very near my own residence,
and with any suspicion that would lead TO serious
results walked over at 81 TO In what manner it
would be dealt with by the native firemen. few by
ISLANDERS gazed inderenty the apparently expiring
names and laborers leisurely pulling apart the
burning iosts and tmbers and scattering them at safe
intervals from each other. Having an engagement in
distant part of the city, withdrew, convinced
that the artistic described by De Quincy, the
whole thing would be failure. An hour
later on my return, I was surprised to find the
rying from every direction toward point considerably
beyond that where the flames had first appeared. II
seemed probable that second fire, of more imposing
dimensions had burst out in another quarter but that
the little blaze Of the early afternoon had succeeded in
spreading any extent almost beyond calculation
1t was long, however before the real state Of affairs
revealed itself. Although the buildings first gnited
we're almost isolated have mentioned, the violence
of the wind had sufficient to carry sparks and
bers over all artificial Obstructions and to hnde
flames in Of places. BY II O'Clock dozen OF the
largest yasikis Of the old arstocratc ward lev
eed and although the most energetic efforts made
by the populace to confne the devastation within the
exterior walls OF the CASTLE the of shops and cit
liens dwellings beyond seized, and the entire
space between the boundary Of the Notifications
and the Bay Of Yedo doomed In less than couple
OF from the time when the flames began to spread
beyond their first contracted limit they had flown
a distance of about two miles in a direct line, leaving
vacant tract averaging half mile in breadth.
In no other place, probably, would 80 swift and sweep
ing transformation have been possible The dryness
of the atmosphere the force Of the wind, which rapidly
rose TO almost hurricane, and the nfammabe nature
of the houses combined TO make the destruction rapid
as it was vast and ruinOus Attempting. just at night
fall TO walk through a region every foot of which
had been familiar to me, i repeatedly lost
my way, and discovered, asking 10 be set
right, that the very inhabitants were much
the wall and canal, not landmark was left. The only
buildings spared the little freproof "go-downs"
narrow, one-stOry structures OF clay-in which the
welltodo citizens store their vauabes, and which. al
though they would not resist lODRcontinued heat,
orally wishstand the brief ferocity OF japanese
fagraton All others had vanished. Government Offices
the finest mansions of higher class of residents
commercial warehouses. and superb old temples. with
thousands Of humber dwellings, we're totally
obiterated. Not a vestige of them was discernable
an hour after the flames had touched them. Even
their ashes were whired away into the waters Of the
bay impossible to conceive OF another such scene
of overwhelming and instantaneous desolation. Within
less than three hours district OF two square miles
laid waste 5000 edces destroyed and 10000 people
we're turned homeless into the streets.
The behavior of the populace at the time OF and after
this almost unparalleled calamity was again such as to
iusfy all that has ever been said OF perfect order
patient fortitude and vigorous energy. Long after all
reasonable hope Of checking the of the fire had
been abandoned they labored valiantiy and herocay
10 keen IL within the closest possible range and dis
played persistent courage and insensibty TO peril
which have known equaled In any similar emer-
gency From elevated part OF one OF the walls could
see groups remen standing upon and In the midst OF
burning houses raspng their standards until the wood
work literally blazed in their hands. These singular
embems are generally looked upon a species OF fire
cod" In which q supeFstitiOus faith Is repssed, and
the apparent reliance OF the multitude upon them
is duly derided by superior critics OF Caucasian
hue The fact is, that they have precisely
the same purpose the banners OF army, aud are
planted by their bearers in spots OF peculiar danger
from which 1t point of honor not TO retreat while
nature has the power endure Scores Of these daring
fellows were excessively prostrated, and borne
away, insensible from wounds suGOcatOn, while
others eagerly pressed forward stc take their
places. There uwas interruption, there