The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1923-09-13
DEATH TOLL MAY
REACH 100000
Greatest Earthquake in Modern
Times In Japan Bodies
Strewn Everywhere
MANY AMERICANS IN JAPAN
Aviator Reports Many Coastal Towns
Wiped Off the Map; Actual
Number of Deaths viii
Never Be Known.
MANY AMERICANS IN JAPAN

San Francisco, Cal. - Every report
received from Japan either confirmed
or increased previous estimates OF the
havoc wrought in death and destruc-
ton by the quadruple catastrophe
which has befallen the central east
ern section Of Hondo largest island
Of the Japanese empire.
Beginning at noon September 1
with series of earthquakes which
razed most of the city of Toxic and
large sections of Yokohama and
other cities in the vicinity, the disas-
ter was continued by fires which
broke out in scores OF places. Tidal
waves followed engulfng and wash
ing into the sea hundreds of build
ings. Then came a typhoon, adding a
final and tragic touch to what is prob
ably the greatest calamity in modern
times.
Topping all previous estimates of
death and ruin, Ujiro Oyama, ia
panese consul general in San Fran
Japanese consul general in Shanghai.
report that 100000 persons were
killed and 100000 made homeless in
Toxic, Yokohama section. Former es-
Inmates from sources had placed the
casualties as high as 150, 900 dead in
Toxic alone. One of these came from
the Japanese minister of marine by
way OF Osaka. Other reports told OF
severe casualties both on land and
sea.
A composite OF reports depicts To-
klc and Yokohama as shattered wild
erresses OF mortar, bricks and stone
where once stood some of the state
liest structures in the empire.
Dead and dying are on every hand.
Survivors, who can grope their way
about through the fire and smoke and
rubbish, are leaving the city for
places Of safety.
Those who still live are threatened
with starvation and many are trying
to catch fish from ponds and lakes
70 tide them over until food arrives.
II is estimated that at least 1000
tons OF rice alone are needed to NEE.
the emergency created by the food
shortage. The Imperial Palace, which
was badly damaged by quake and fire
has been thrown open to needy and
injured survivors,
What happened at Yokohama can
be barely more than surmised. But
every report, though meagre. con-
firms the worst of fears. While it
seems certain most Of the foreign
residential section escaped. II is es-
timated 1.400 buildings in the CITY
were destroyed. The number of dead
is countless. An officer of the steam-
er London Maru reported that bodies
were scattered everywhere, on land
and in water where many sought re-
fuge in ships after the quake.
How extensive the quake was can
not be accurately stated 1t is known
it extended as far south as the Izu
Peninsula on the eastern seaboard,
about 100 miles south OF Toxic.
a message by cable from Kobe to
the Associated Press said there was
bad shake in Toyama, a CITY of
more than 10000 population near the
northwest coast of Japan. nearly 200
miles northwest Of Toxic and i'm Kobe.
fully $50 miles southwest of Toxic.
The vibration seems to have permeat-
ed the island transversely.
In addition to the hundreds OF large
public and private buildings destroy
ed which include a large number OF
Japanese government buildings. Ia
Danese and foreign naval hospitals.
arsenals, printing plants and newspa-
per offices, it was learned through
Osaka that the Italian and French
embassies in Toxic were destroyed.
Eight Of Tokios Is wards are
known to be almost totally wiped out.
while the remainder are largely in
ruins OF burnt over. the total number
OF buildings destroyed being placed
at 100000 for the city and suburbs.
In Yokohama Bay and at Yoko.
hama the destruction is nearly as
great.
Reports came OF new ouakes cen
tering at Yokusika, doing great dam
age especially 20 ships It is known
that quakes and subsequent tidal
waves did great damage to Japanese
naval vessels.
The extent OF the damage, however.
is not determined and the number Of
deaths may reach SOC. 900 persons