Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-19
MOBS AND TROOPS
BATTLE IN RIOTS
THAT SHAKE JAPAN
Rush Through Streets Cry
ing, "War to the Rice
Profiteers."
VARIOUS STORES SACKED
AND OFFICES DESTROYED
Street Railways Forced to Sus-
pend Because of Con-
fusion.
GROWING SOCIAL UNREST
Geisha Girls Stoned While Driving
Along Highways, and Houses Of
VARIOUS STORES SACKED
AND OFFICES DESTROYED
GROWING SOCIAL UNREsT
Geisha Girls Stoned While Driving
Along Highways, and Houses OF
Rich Have Been Assailcd.

TOKYO. JAPAN. August ls.-The
worst rice riots Japan has seen for
many years are raging in various parts
OF the empire, according to the reports
reaching here from several Of the larg-
est cities. At several places troops
have been called out and bloody con-
fictH with huge mobs have occurred.
Wednesday mobs began rushing
through the main streets here shout
ing. War to the rice profiteers!" In
one clash between soldiers and the mob.
1t is estimated that 30 600 participated.
An incendiary mob burned down the
SaEoya Suzuki offices at Kobe. while
soldiers charged into the rioters with
fixed bayoncts. Many casualties are
reported. In Ma!zaru. Kura and Osaka
the riots are particularly violent and
arc spreading rapidly.
message from Osaka details the
pillaging OF grocery and dry goods
stores and food dcpots. a thcater was
set on fire and several additional build
ings were destroyed. The military
forces we're called out to maintain or
der. but the mob attached them
stree; railways have suspended op-
erations at night, owing TO the con-
fusion in the city. and the Governor
the streets after dark.
1t is stated that al Maizaru. where
2eoo workmen from The naval arsenal
Joined the populace in sackinS the
rice stores many persons were injured
in clashes with the Federal authori-
tics.
APPROPRIATE MILLIONS
TO FEED POOR PEOPLE
The seriousness OF the situation led
TO special meeting Of the Cabinet,
which decided to appropriate $4,000, 900
FOR purchasing stores OF rice for dis
tribution among the people al mod
crate price. The Emperor, .novcd BY
the distress, has contributed 100000
yen 10 the national rice fund. Street
ears are being utilized in Tokyo by SOL
diers who distribute rice in districts
where the suffering is reported.
The press joins in tribute to the
Emperor for his generous contribution,
indicating tho spirit OF the ruler and
the wealthier classes. but the news
papers generally blame the govern
mcnt for it's tardy remedies. The con-
servative newspaper, jiji Shipmo, es-
pccially criticzes the government.
Several millionaires have contributed
100000 each TO purchase rice for the
poor. The Mitsui and the Iwaski fam
lilies have each contrib. ed 100000
TO this fund. There is an abundance
OF rice in the empire. but il is held in
storage by farmers and brokers. The
government. aim is TO force the rice
market. but it has avoided up to this
time regulating the price. which. how
ever has fallen.
WAR CREATES MILLIoNAIREs,
WHILE POOR SUFFER MISERY
The newspaper comment here seems
10 indicate that the food riot; through
out the country are an expression of
growing social unrest among the peo-
pie, and TO reflect the belief that the
empire is advancing toward social
crisis. The riots are spreading, involv-
ing alike the poor and the middle
classes. who feel impelled to protest
against economic conditions.
1t Is remarked that the uprisngs are
often anticapitalistic in nature. the
mobs attacking and destroying the
property of the wealthy and voicing
anger at evidences OF luxury. Ceisha
girls have been stoned they have
driven through the streets in automo-
biles, and the houses OF the rich have
been assaied. While the wa. has
luxuries OF the rich, it has also in
creased the misery of the poor because
Of insufficient wages being paid. Fac>
tory hands. especially. are melted
by the ring leaders of the riots. which
are the first of the kind TO occur since
Japan was opened to Western civiliza-
ton.
Disorders broke out in Tokyo on
Tuesday night. A crowd of 5000.
which was prevented from congregat-
ing in the park. marched to the Ginza
the great retail thoroughfare of the
city, where they stoned and damaged
200 stores and restaurants, raided rice
depots and unsuccessftlly attacked the
manufactures. Many arrests were
made. Tokyo tonight is occupied by
heavy detachments Of police and infan-
try. The newspapers are forbidden to
publish news OF any kind relative to
the rice riots.