Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-18
News" Correspondent on The Far East
precae An Cnsatsf factor Cars
Speech Prisoners.
Special Correspondence,

Special Correspondence,
TNOK1O Japan, Jan. 30. THE shik-
ishlma theater.ln Tachlkewacho,
Maebashi, was destroyed by fire
ON Sunday. the 18th inst, al 500
D. M a play being enacted at the time.
Twenty-nlne persons were killed aud
several injured. -Four other houses were
also destroyed and three damaged by
the fire.
The fire was due to q maker OF hre-
works A pyrotechnlc display was TO De
given after the conclusion Of the dra-
matte performance, and the workman IN
question was pounding his explosives
when the chemicals ignItvd and set the
house ON IRE. 1t is reported that the
terrible loss OF life might nave been
averted but for the mismanagement or
the promoters OF the play. 1t seems 20
be customary IN Maebashi for the inca
ter goers to pay for their boxes toward
the end of the performance, ana When
the fire broke out these fees had not
been collected. The flames spread win
terrible rapidlty and consumed the stage
decorations and scenery While the en-
tire house was nlled with smoke. The
audience rushed toward the doors, nut
the Halter had been shut, by order or
the stage manager, who was AFRAID that
he might lose his fees, He shouted ok
citedly 10 the audience that the names
.Hould be instantly brought under CON
troll. The heat and smoke, however be-
came unbearable and the house was a
verltable furnace. Tho people WITHIN
raised agonizing cries and at last FORCED
the stage manager 20 open the doors
The doors had been closed not more
than two minutes, but those two MN
utcs We're sufficient TO cause ~ deaths,
the victims being chiefly children ana
women. In addition eight persons are
reported missing. The killed include
the chief promoter OF the perform
ance. his daughter and maid servant,
and two actors, The workman VINO
caused the fire was totally blinded by
the ignition OF the explosives.
Referring to fires Il may be Interest,"
ing 20 know that IN Toxic alone during
the year 1904 there were 5l2, which de-
etroyed Gi3 buildings completely .apd
$50 partially. Ninety-fiye are attribute
ed 10 incendlarism, 6S to overturned
lamps &c to tobacco ashes, 30 TO defec-
tive chlmneys and 80 to brazlers'
GENERAL PRINCE FUsHlML
All the journals. metropolitan ANA
provincial, throughout the empire JOIN
in being rejoiced at the safe return
home OF General Prince Fushlmi, who
arrived Monday the 18th inst, per the
as. Mongolia. from his mission TO the
United states. and I'm giving expression
TO their sense Of highest satisfaction,
indeed, gratitude, at the profound re-
spect shown and royal welcome extend
ed 20 his hghness on his arrival ana
throughout his stay there. They are
unanimously convinced that the I'M
perial visit has been most fruitful In
cementlng. stu closer. the spirit Of the
most cordial friendship that character
ICES I'm pre-emlnence the relationship
between Japan and the United States
AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP.
In acknowledging the great moral
debt that japan owes to the United
Stntes, the Nchi Nlchi dwells at
length on what II considers the points
OF similarity I'm the careers, national or
this empire and the great republic. In
part is SAYS; 1.-THE curse Of slavery
and the civil war following In America.
| the bane OF feudalism and the Satsuma
rebellion in Japan; emergence from the
| confusion Of the reconstruction period
I into the glorious position OF Internal
! tional Importance and power markedly
| az the result OF foreign wars, the His
! piano. American war with the one ana
! the Japan-China with the other; the
acquisition OF foreign territories, Ha-
wall, Philippines, etc, I'm the case OF
America and the annexation OF For
! mosa and Pescadores IN that OF ia