San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-28

Toxic, Japan, Oct. 27.-"While
housands were fleeing from Toxic for
pfety, the members OF the American
mbassy staff, with one exception,
ere fighting their way into the city,
Jack to their posts" said Ambassa-
or Woods In describing the events Of
be memorable September 1. No
bore inspiring demonstration of 10y
lty was ever given"
Much of the credit for the efficient
rganization of the embassy staff.
airing not only for hundreds of be-
lldered and helpless Americans but
Their nationals as well, is given by
ne ambassador to Lieut.. Col. Charles
Burnett, tor many years its mill
Pry attache. Colonel Burnett had
Experience during the war in bringing
rider out of chaos. The ambassador
ad his hands full with the larger
spects of the crisis. Hundreds OF
ther details demanded attention.
lille the willing staff was milling
round with the usual what snail
e. dO!" Colonel Burnett took com
iand-mobilized them on u military
asis and started work. His efforts
ecured food for the refugees, got
hem TO safety and satisfied thousands
hat their relatives and friends were
aie when the inquiries started pour
~ in from the United States.
Colonel Burnett went out to the
agship Huron in Yokohama a few
lays ago on business with Admiral
anderson, his first leave from the tenn
:orarv embassy in the Imperial Ho-
HI since the quake. The suit of the
sually well groomed colonel was
Justly, faded and much the worse for
rear. Nobody minded that-he least
all, for it was his only suit. His
Energy had not slowed and the smile
as as CHEEKY as ever. He was 400
|usy TO think of himself.
AL Gone Except Memories.
Mrs. Burnett, student and author
japanese poetry, lover of the coun-
ny and its people. is probably the
ssest known foreigner in Japan. The
burnett home in Toxic was store
Nouse of treasures and memories.
Photographs which had been auto
|}raphed by princes, rare cabinets
Orks of art of intrinsic value and
&ntimental associations gave charm
|b the home. All are gone, except the
n emOries.
Yes, everything burned, but we
hved the official records" says the
|Bolonel with smile, true soldier.
Multiply the story by 1,000,000-
|@Dme palaces, others humble homes
Hut all with family treasures. and il
only one phase Of what Japan lost
hi those few hours.
n The ambassador and the military
|kttache were chatting i'll the offices
N the first floor of the embassy when
PIE first shock came one minute be-
}pre noon. The ambassador tells the
qtory.
! Its going to be a bad one," the
solonel said, taking me by the arm
tarting for the door.
It'll be interesting to see a quake"
said, still smoking, for it was my
Erst experience.
4 When we reached the lawn, he
burned and ran back into the embassy
md up the stairs. The house was
4waying slightly but l did not consid-
d it serious. / had never seen an
Earthquake. Colonel Burnett reap
cared with my mother. who had been
In the second floor. Then came the
econd shock and the house collapsed
MitO ~NOl until NhNh Niu
be what an earthquake was. But he
lad known and he had known that
lie was taking a long chance with
cath when he dashed up the stairs
15pr my mother.
] Ensign Rescues Woman.
q Ambassador Woods does not tell OF
Ms work through the days and nights
khich followed. He talks only of the
# hA ataff
|;ells the story of Ensign Thomas j.
Ryan Jr., a naval officer attached
b the embassy to learn japanese. who
Happened to be in Yokohama. Young
Ryan had pulled six victims from the
4uins when he met S. I. Enevoldsen,
young Dane. who told him that
$,oman, Mrs. Slack. was imprisoned
N the Grand Hotel. They found
Ter almost buried in debris. dead
Japanese masseuse at her side. Flames
Soared into the rooom as they pulled
) nd tugged.
Don't leave me. young men," she
legged. 1.-Two others came in and
left me-"
d "Well not leave you, lady," Ryan
Pasped. 1--WE may have to leave part
q your leg but we'll take the rest
Il you with us
y They brought her out intact
Enough somewhat broken. Such
ntories are legion in Yokohama where
Die big buildings. crashed. pinioning
fheir victims and the flames did
Not come for an hour later. There
y, the story of dapper Tom Abbey
erho gave his life in vain effort to
blot the aged DIR. Edwin Wheeler.
HE family physician. from the club
b place of safety: of the gay noon
Hay group at the club which met for
Die last time: of the woman on the
yhird floor of the o. S. X. building,
SSfo found herself standing uninjured
Ia the street; of the woman thrown
through a window in a bathtub; of
1snother who slowly died while her
raced against the flames TO
Nft the beam which held her of Con-
mi Kirjassoff who died trying to
ave his wife and their unborn child;
eff the japanese clerk in the consulate
Imprisoned under a desk. who calmly
Itillowed his head on Il waste basket
md silent until the sparks forced him
eb burrow a way out: of the Marine
officer who stepped to the wrong side
lcf the station platform lighting
cigarette when the building collapsed
m all the others waiting for the
rain: of those who jumped TO the
fght while their companions jumped
~ the left and were caught-miracul-
nus ESCAPES losses of fate. deeds OF
o,eroism. Others of shame. dramas of
Me great tragedy-as many as there
ore Survivors.
4 -S>-
PRAISE FOR STEINMETZ