Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-26

For more than a week the world has
been appalled, by the disaster OF the
Titanic, Seldom do we have whole
sale disasters in this country, on so
near our shores. have been in Japan
when tidal waves have taken on as
many as thirty thousand along one sea
coast and earthquakes have claimed al
most as many for their victims, but.
in such instances. there was nothing
hut the mysteries OF nature say caused
the disasters. Mans hand was not con-
nected with It. I remember the night
that the battIeship Oregon was to be
released from the dry docks OF kure,
Japan You remember that she was
snagged in Chinese waters during the
boxer trouble. It was a night to in
spire poets. / was in a little cottage
up the side OF q mountain whose sides
were dashed by the waters OF the Hiro-
shima harbor. the day had been sultry
hut evening brought a breeze and as
we sat on the piazza Of that tiny Jap
anese Gotta &c that chung TO the sides
OF the mountain, sheltered like birds in
a nest, we watched the loading and the
twinkling lights of seventy-twO Jap
anese transporters. There was to be
high tide that night and the full moon
shone in splendor that ! have never
seen surpassed Quite late we retired
and when / woke next morning all en-
ergy had departed from all OF MS, soon
the breeze became a gale and swept
along the coast like the breath Of
giant, blowing away tOyland. Waves
swept the loaded cars OF the track.
burst open the imperial store house
and swept out the sacks OF rice await
ing transportation to japanese troops in
China. sent yachts and tugs over the
seawan right through the frail Jap
h~~.raz 9aHrn uNn ting TvepwfN--znWnu
miles OF sea wall
Perched up there. my friends and l
were so sheltered that we did not feel
the strength OF the storm but witness
ed il all There was no very great loss
OF life So gradual had been the ris-
ing OF the wind that although the city
I lived in was covered with water for
hfteen blocks. and fences were a wreck
in other sections Of the city, the people
had been able to fee from danger.
In the THAMES wreck nobody can be
held responsible. The largest ship In
the world. mans inventive genius. send
ing forth what the owners and builders
considered absolutely unsuitable and in
every way seaworthy the one thing
happened they could not prevail against
SO sure were the owners that there was
nothing that could happen to the boat
they only put on the minimum num-
Der Of life boats. So secure were the
passengers that some in the card rooms
went on with their games even when
told that the ship had been struck. and
no doubt went down right around the
card table
Have you stopped to consider how
large a number went2 Think of the
villages about you, fifteen hundred peo-
pie in one town is a pretty good sized
crowd The number lost was thirteen
hundred and Of that number think how
many we're Americans. We OF Georgia
knew and miss three or more. and 1
suspect almost in every state in the
union today there is a vacant place
and aching hearts for loved ones who
went down in the ship.
There is one thing 10 be said in hon
or OF the entire passenger list. the
chivalry OF the ages showed in their
sending on the women and children.
With their arms about their husbands
necks. brides chung and begged to be
allowed 70 stay, wives who for years
had faced every sort OF trouble with
their husbands plead for this privilege.
but the men steadfastly refused. Some
OF the women were reminded OF other
loved ones waiting for them. and doubt
less many said as did Jacques Futrelle.
Of Georgia, when his wife pleaded TO
stay with him. Don't make il harder
for me. In Gods name l beg you to
go"
In this great disaster We learn that
wealth was no more fortunate than pow
erty. Men in the first class cabins
whose passage cost hundreds. and in a
few Instances. a thousand dollars. stood
aside for the steerage women and chill
dren whose worldly wealth consisted Of
just enough TO pass them in. Brains
teenling WIN plans for fame and wealth
and political aggrandlzement today lie
two miles under the water beside those
that had not a thought beyond the next
meal OF the pleasures that the beasts Of
the field share with them
VIII this terrible catastrophe be any
lesson 10 the world? For a year OF 50
there may be some spasmodic efforts to
make things safe.
There may be some who viii consider