Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-25
YEAR OF THE KICKING HORSE
japanese Expect Disasters Innumera-
able to Overtake the Land
In Present Term.

TOXIC, March A-(Special Cablegram
70 The Bee. )--Prnce Arthur Of Connaught,
according TO a popular superstition, came
to Japan at an unfortunate time, this I'M
der tho old calendar being THE Year of
the Kicking Horse" when disasters in
Vulnerable are to overtaks the land. AL
ready there have been several great fires
Recently there have been several earth
quakes, several buildings collapsing, but
only a few people being wounded.
The quick succession of Shocks how
ever, has set the entire city on its nerves
For some time past It has been learned
that the professors were prophesying that
sooner or later TOXIC would be largely de-
stroyed by an earthquake or tidal wave
and they pointed out that it was now
Japan's turn in the cycle Of events. These
statements have not been forgotten, and
consequently the minds OF 100000 resi-
dents were ready to receive almost any
rumor.
During the visit of Prince Arthur the
entire population Of the city, including the
emperor and Prince Arthur, were made
the victims Of an elaborate hoax. Some
people representing themselves as the
Central Observatory telephoned in all di-
rectons that between 2 and 8 in the after
terrible shocks involving the demolition of
Toxic would occur, adding: BE ready"
Within a few minutes the whole tele-
phone system of the city was going, the
newspaper offices were besieged by in
quirers, people warned their friends and
relatives, the observatory was invadef by
an anxious throug, asking exactly what
time they might expect the crash Of doom.
The report soon reached his majesty,
who was also somewhat alarmed, until he
had sent q special messenger to ascertain
the facts.
Though this scare has In II the element
of the humorous, the famine in THE Year
Of the Kicking Horse is anything but a
joke. Reports from the more remote prov
inces have tendency to increase rather
than diminish the apprehension that has
been felt. The districts which are appar-
entity the most affected by the famine are
several provinces in the northeastern part
Of Japan The staple productions in those
districts are rice and silk. This year both
these crops have failed In some of the
provinces these industries are utterly
ruined for the time. The calamity at first
seemed capable OF local relief, but on
closer investigation 1t proved of such an
alarming nature that more than 1905. 900
people are literally on the brink Of starva-
tion.
Columns In the newspapers have been
filled with the saddest OF stories about the
distressed families in the famine-strlcken
| provinces. The Japanese government has
been doing everything within its power to
alleviate the sufferlngs and provide such
employment as may eventually enable the
recipients to regain their positions. IN
1 - ~ a.
crops two years ago, and during the war,
\ owing TO some thousands of the working
| classes in these provinces having been
called to the front, agricultural pursuits
were to some extent neglected.
To this fact no doubt some Of the present
disaster is due WhLe the japanese are
proud. almost to the extent Of eccentricity
even, the government gladly welcomes do
nations from sympathizers in other lands