The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-09-04

operatives are rep0rfee TO nave
perished.
BY Associated Press.
San Francisco, Sept. 3.-Eyery re-
port received from Japan throughout
the day either confirmed or increased
previous estimates of the havoc
wrought in death and destruction by
the quadruple catastrophe which has
befallen the central eastern section
of Hondo, largest of the islands Of
the Japanese empire.
Beginning at noon Saturday with
series Of earthquakes which razed
most of the city of Toxic and large
sections of Yokohama and other cities
in the vicinity, the disaster was con-
tinued by fires which broke out in
scores of places. Tidal waves, fol-
lowed, engulfing and washing into the
sea hundreds of buildings. Then
came a typhoon, adding a final and
tragic touch to what is probably the
greatest calamity in modern times.
Million Made Homeless.
Topping all previous estimates of
death and ruin Ujiro Oyama. Jap
anese consul general in San Fran
cisco, late today received from
Shichitaro Yada, Japanese consul gen
eral in Shanghai a report that 160.-
900 persons We're killed and 1000 900
made homeless In the Toxic Y oko-
hama section.
Former estimates from various
sources had placed the casualties as
high az 15o. 900 dead in Toxic alone.
One of these came from the Japanese
minister of marine by way OF Osaka.
Other reports told of severe casual
ties both on land and sea. A com
posite OF reports depicts Toxic and
Yokohama as shattered wildnernesses
of mortar, bricks and stone where
once stood some of the stateliest
structures in the empire.
Dead and dying are on every hand.
The 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 TO tide them over
until food arrives.
Palace Refugee Shelter.
It is estimated that at least 900
tons OF rice alone is needed to meet
the emergency by the food shortage.
The imperial palace. which was bad
ly damaged by quake and fire, has
been thrown open to needy and in.
jured survivors.
What happened at Yokohama can
be barely more than surmised. But
every report. though meager, con
firms the worst Of fears. While IL
seems certain most of the foreign
residential section escaped, II is es
timated 400 buildings in the city
were destroyed. The number of dead
| is countless. An officer of the
steamer London Maru reported tha,
bodies were scattered everywhere, on
land and in the water, where many
sought refuge in ships after the
quake
How extensive the quake was can
not be accurately stated. 1t is known
1T extended as far south as the Izu
peninsula, on the eastern seaboard
100 miles south OF Toxic. A message
by cable from Kobe to the Associated
Press tonight said there was bad
snake in Toyama, city OF more
than 10000 population near the
northeast coast OF Japan, nearly 200
miles northwest OF Toxic. and In
Kobe. fully $50 miles southwest OF
Toxic. The vibration seems to have
permeated the island transversely.
Two Embassies Wrecked
In addition TO the hundreds OF
large public and private buildings
destroyed. which include a large mum.
ber of japanese government build
ings. Japanese and foreign naval hos.
pitals. arsenals, printing plants and
newspaper offices, It was learned to.
night through Osaka that the Italian
and French embassies in TOXIC were
destroyed. Nothing has been learned
OF the fate Of the American embassy
and It's staff.
Eight of Toklo's Is wards are
known 10 be almost totally wiped
out, while the remainder are largely
In ruins or burnt over the total mum.
Der Of buildings destroyed being
placed AT 100000 for the city and
suburbs
In Yokohama bay and atlYokosuka
a city Of 10000 on the upper reaches
of Mic bay. the destruction IL nearly
as great, population considered. as II
is In Toxic. Reports came today OF
new quakes eentering In yokosuka
yesterday afternoon. doing great
damage. especially to ships. II IL
known that Saturdays quakes and
subsequent tidal waves did grea.
damage to japanese naval vessels
The extent OF the damage. however
is not determined.
The quake yesterday. today's re
ports said, destroyed the telephone
exchange at Choiamaehi, killing "a
operators. " last night new
quakcs shook kswaRuohi. destroying
200 houses asd damaging 1900 more