The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27

Disastrous Firo in JeGidO-LOss OF Over
S2,OOO,OOO of Property How the
Natives Work in Combating Flame
Importation in FREQ Comm union 18th
the People-FOreign Diplomacy.
YOKOHAMA. Dec. %, 1873.
Another Of those terrible condagratlons with
which Jeddo is doomed. 1t may be said to be perl
odlcally visited, occurred in that city on the 9th
inst. 1t commenced about one O'Clock IN the
morning and ragged during nine hours. Although
some previous rres, notably the one that occurred
in April OF last year, have destroyed more houses
and extended over larger space, this last Is
probably the most severe fire that has visited
Jeddo for great number of years. 1t devastated
tract OF about two miles in length by one mile in
width, destroying over 5000 houses. The section
of the city where the fire occurr I'd was occupied
mainly by merchants OF the better GLASS; large silk
empOriums, wholesale druggists bankers, &c.
The loss is estimated at over $2,0Oo.O00, an i'm
mense loss for comparatively poor city.
Some fifteen persons lost their lives during the
disaster, and twenty-three were seriously hurt.
JAPANESE FIREMEN AND THE MANNER OF WORK.
The Japanese in attempting to stop connagra-
ton expend more courage and energy than have
seen displayed anywhere else, but these qualities
are misdrected, and hence ineffective for good.
They have no good engines or hose to carry the
be actually on fire, and then you Can see them
working in the very midst OF smoke and fame, en-
deavOrins to save property OF comparative little
value.
that this fire Will not entail the suffering and pri
walton which the one Of the previous year did TOR
that fire attacked the very poorest portion OF the
city. and consequently many thousands oil persons
were lett Tor a long time homeless and peDniless.
vi course 1t Will be hard upon the present suffer-
ers but they, at least are in condition far above
want. The ruined district Is to be rebuilt In q
manner similar to that part OF the man street
which was destroyed last year. Brick and stone
buildings are to be erected by the government
wno will sell them on reasonable terms TO the mer-
chants Thus these terrible disasters Will have at
least one good effect Jeddo will ultimately be a
city built substantial style, ana then fires Will
occur less frequently and they will be more easily
confined within narrow limits. Since the 9th inst
no ess than six fires have occurred, but none Of
them did any very great damage.
THE IMPERIAL VISIT TO THE NAVY YARDS.
The MikadO and the Empress paid a formal visit
to the government dock yards at YoKozka, about
by the foreign Minister'S to whom he espresso
his great qualification Tor their presence. The royal
again next day They expressed themselves
highly pleased with what they saw and such an
interest did they take in the proceedings that ire
quently they mixed in with the multitude, just
like ordinary spectators. Can this De the same
japan that we knew five years agoS
THE MISSION TO WASHINGTON.
1t has been settled tnat Mort Is not to return to
Washington. He could have done so had ne so
selected; but he desired to be made Minister
Plenipotentiary, and this the government de-
clined Mort has been appointed temporarily Under
Secretary Of State. He Is ambitious OF becoming
Minister oil Education but 1t rs thought he will not
succeed although he Is undoubtedly the very best
man IN the Empire Tor that position.
THE MINISTER TO PEKIN
General Yamada who accompanied Iwakura to
America and Europe to look alter military affairs,
has been appointed Minister to China.
STABBlNG On SHIPBOARD.
A serious atfrdy occurred at Nagasaki on the
18th INST. on board the British trading ship Lap
wing. The vessel is manned by a Japanese crew.
On the Atm inst. the crew refused duty, and were
taken before the English Consul. They were de-
tanned for a lew days. and on the 18th inst, on
their promise to go to work. were placed on board
the snip again. ON being turned to on the 18th
one OF them refused 10 work. This created dis
turbance, and the BRUSH constable again sent
Tor. On going forward with the Captain to look
into affairs they were both set upon and severely
stabbed, the Captain in the n ok and back and the
constable In the side The wounded men are bO h
In the hospital, and the crew has been taken
charge OF by the British Consul