The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-09

10 huge proportions, moved on down to
the section where all the important go
downs erica warehouses) are situated
The lights were put out and there was
fierce lighting In pitch blackness OF the
streets and along the canal sides
Troops were rushed up from all the
barracks Of the city and quiet was
fairly restored by o'clock this morn
ing. though the poor were still breath
ing vengeance.
There has been terrific riotng at the
port Of Kobe, four hours to the south OF
Toxic by rail- The fine ONCE building Of
Suzuki q Co. rice dealers. was burned.
and the police were repulsed In many
parts of the city.
Posters Tell Of Indignation.
Posters are up bearing the inscription
Curse the price Of RICE" and tho crowds
are bearing banners on which these
words are painted. Inspector Fujimoto,
chief of police, has been seriously in
jured. together with a number Of his
men. Troops have rushed to the port
by train. The ONCE OF the Kobe SHIN
bnnd, owned by a rich rice merchant.
was destroyed by fire. The flames
spread and a dozen ONCE buildings were
burned. A large go-down. owned by the
Kobe Steel Company. was burned to the
ground and several men were killed.
Rioting continues in Toxic and riot
orders have been issued that the popu,
lace must stay indoors after sunset
reliable newspaper says many hun
dreds Of rioters took charge Of the town
of Hiroshima, far south OF here, night
before last. raided all the rice shops and
pillaged and destroyed much property.
The same extra carries the news Of out
breaks of similar Charactar
There are two reasons for tn hort
age OF rice and consequent high prices.
which are responsible for the rioting
The first Is that the Government permits
rice Understandable food sharks they
are toto corner a large percentage OF
the available rice supply. The second is
that the same manufacturers have
bought up everything in sight and in
futures" for the brewing Of the vile
spirit that Is the damnation of the
Japanese laboring classes and the curse
OF the farming district.
A Drink with a "Kick."
Sake is brewed and distilled from only
| the best quality of rice. and as a bev-
| eraee 1t has kick like that of an army
mule. The lower grades Of II are sold
as cheaply as is cents a quart. and as
half tumbler full will reasonably tank
up white man. its effect on the mind
and constitutions OF the puny japanese
workman can be imagined.
There are two large anti-alcohol So
| cietles here doing the best they can, but
| their progress Is slow. 1t was not until
last year. after efforts over a period OF
ten years. that the societies were able
to get bill through the Diet prohibiting
the sale of sake to minors. Previous tc
| that time I have seen youngsters of Il
and Is drunk as lords. clutching bottles
OF the beastly tasting but efficient stuff
and tumbling about the streets in the
poorer quarters.
A prominent rice broker informs ms
| that the situation was most acute, as the
Government seems powerless to put
stop to the tremendous imitation OF ric,
prices caused by SPECTATORS and also be
cat use the sake brewers and dstiller:
think that they see big market TO
their wares with the army in Russia ant
are buying up everything they can la,
bag TO for the purpose of making In
toxicants.