Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-13
THOUSANDS DEAD
IN JAPAN HORROR

from EnSt EhBe.)
the warships sent to the scene, al
though many message were dis
patched to them
Ashes to the depth of six inches
have fallen in the seaport of MiyaZ-
aki, on the east coast of Kiushiu.
Tidal Wave Killed Many.
A postal employee who fled from
Kagoshima states that the big post
office building there collapsed during
the earthquakes and tidal wave and
that a great number of residences
were ruined while many people and
animals were killed or injured.
The navy and army departments
are Fastening succer and supplies to
Kagoshima-
Sakura-Jima, which in violent
eruption is destroying life and deyas-
tating property over extended areas
in Kiushiu, the southern-most island
of the main Japanese group, has been
quiescent for more than a century,
although it rears it's cratered peak
in veritable land of volcanoes.
Directly to the south of it, on one
of three lower tips of Japan, stands
Kaimon-Dake, which is constantly
active, while directly north of 1t are
Kirishima, Yama and Shiratorisan.
Both are active and from the former
in 1895 came a tremendous and de-
structive outburst. The contour of
hill and valley throughout the region
all tells of volcanic origin and ac-
tivity and the higher ridges are scar
red and serried with runs of laval,
marked by precipitations of ash and
cut and torn by the conclusive earth
shocks which have attended the more
serious disturbances.
Last Eruption In 1779.
sakura-Jima occupies almost the
exact centre of small round island
in the gulf of Kagoshima and direct
ly in front of the city of Kagoshima,
capital of the province of Satsuma.
1t is 1000 feet high and before the
present eruption had two craters
One Of these had been closed and
silent for many years, the other a
huge ragged opening in the mountain
crest, has for centuries given off
small quantities of steam.
Around its base are several hot
springs, evidence of subterranean
conditions, and several draws In the
rugged sides show runs of lava which
extend to the sea.
The island and its volcano are
| scenically beautiful, and both Jap
| anese and foreigners in large num-
bers constantly visited them. The
permanent population was consider
able, running probably to $4,000.
Much of the soil of the island was
rich, and sugar cane, fruits and vege-
tables were extensively cultivated.
| Region One of Scenic Beauty.
Sakura-Jima had its last general
eruption in 1873, and, while accurate
| information as to the suffering and
damage which it inflicted is not avail
able, the occasion so impressed Itself
upon the people that the eruption
was commemorated by a monthly
festival. This day is still observed
by many of the people, and for dec.
ades no boats were allowed to leave
the island during the celebration, 9
rule which is said to have had it:
origin in superstition.
The surrounding coasts and the
country in several directions ar,
heavily populated, and the number il
the danger zone is hundreds of thou
sands. The chief city in danger Il
Kagoshima, which lies almost in tn
shadow of the volcano and is separ
ated from it by a narrow strait.
Fragmentary dispatches that com
bin over a telegraph and telephone
service that has been dstroyed a
several points indicate there has beel
heavy loss of life in Kagoshima ant
it's vicinity, and it is feared that thi
deadly work continues and will TAX
large range when advices are com
plete. The city is the centre of
large pottery and porcelain industr
which employs thousands of artisan
and laborers of both sex.
Heavy Ash Fall Extends Far.
The heavy ash fall extends far t
the north and has already envelope
the important cities of Nagasaki an
Kumamoto as well as many SINAI
cities and towns. OF these Nagasak
alone has any considerable foreigl
population. There are about 200 Eu
ropeans and Americans in Nagasak
with British in the largest number
They have ample opportunity to es
cape If q serious situation confront
the city.
The local scientists do not antici
pate that there will be much loss o
life from the constant earthquakes
because the buildings are of light ma
terial and low, but they do,fear tina
thousands will be overwhelmed a
Kagoshima and surrounding towns