The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-04
AMERICA QUICKLY ASSUMES LEAD M|
 AIDING NIPPONESE'
(Continued From Page One.) }

An overwhelming disaster has overtaken the people of the friendly nation of Japan. While it's extent has not yet been officially reported, enough Is known to justify the state ment that the cities of Tokio and Yokohama and surrounding towns and villages have been largely if not completely destroyed by earthquake fire and flood with a resultant ap- pallng loss Of life and destitution and distress. requiring measures of urgent relief:
 Such assistance as Is within the means of the executive department of the government will be rendered but realizing the great suffering which now needs relief and will need relief for days to come, l am prompt ed to appeal urgently to the Amer ican people, whose sympathies have alwoys been so comprehensive, to contribute in aiding the unfortu- nate and in giving relief to the peo- pie of Japan.
 ''In order that the utmost co-ordi- nation and effectiveness In the ad- ministration of relief funds be obtained, recommend that all contri- buttons, clearly designated be sent to the chairman of the American National Red Cross at Washington or 10 any local Red Cross chapters for transmission to Japan"
 c o o
 Chance To Repay.
 Efforts, it was emphasized, will be directed toward assisting the people on the farther side of the Pacific by every available means, not merely be- cause of the long friendship which has existed unbroken through the years between the two countries, but because of the broad humanitarian considerations involved in the great catasthopre. Nor is 1t forgotten by the United States in thus being the first country to tender it's assistance that similar services were given quickly by Japan trough It's Red Cross to San Francisco after the de- VastatinG earthquake and fire or 15Vo.
 The desire of the Washington gov ernment to be of any service possible was made known personally to Am bassador Tanihara of Japan during the day when he visited both the stae department and the White House for conferences with Acting Secretary Phillips and' President Coolidge. lm- mediately afterward the President S appeal for funds was issuer as fol- lows:
 the United in thus
 Take in Text previously sent,
 people took advantage of the day to
 The Japanese ambassador Tn turn expressed through a public statement his appreciation for the sympathy that has risen in America for his country in it's Hou5 o 05 q 'r0"oie'
 Express Appreciation.
 "The Japanese ambassador" the statement said, desires to express his deep appreciation of the great tide of sympathy that has risen throughout American in response to the announcement of the terrible ca tastrophe that has befallen Japan.
 'Nnot only by the generous procla- nation of the President, testifying to the ties of humanity that bind the two nations. but in countless mes sages, both official and personal, have the Americans done their utmost to show their sympathy and their readi- ness to help their neighbors across the Pacific.
 Up to the present time the am bassy has been unable to estabhsh communication, with Japan. Every line is silent. The ambassador is op- pressed by anxiety not only for ms countrymen but also for the many Americans and other foreigners III Japan. | Ignorance he can only express to the President and the people of America on behalf of his imperial majesty ana for the whole Japanese nation the most heartfelt thanks for their sym pathy an dtheir generous assistance These make it easier to bear the Dur- dens of this unimaginable disaster
 American plans for extending re- lief were discussed during the uay al inc White house and at the state war navy and other departments Concerted action looking to reilet on A hl ge scale was taken ineVery pos sible way upon the basis of informo- ton contained in press dlsupatehes and brief messages from Aile, re "a Il naval officers in the vicinity or Ja- pan without waiting Ieponto .i,,an Ambas sador Woods or other Amerlca s"a n n embassy officials in Tokio, coneeIh mn III $ whom nothing had been head at the state department tonight.
 Although the receipt or addllonal advices will make possible the TOT ulation of measures or assisldn in more detail, 1t was made clear that tha machinery for relief work was already in motion in this country ana would continue for an lndellhite period. sed measures for dispatching reliet sup plies and nurses and other Workers were ready and would prove cf ecte'ass as. if developments showed sucn as sistance was needed in addition to the financial contributions.
 Navy Takes Quick Acuon.
 The navy department was one or the first executive branches of the government to take action, through Admiral Anderson in command of the Asiatic fleet dispatching seven de. strovers from Port Arthur, one ol which is expected to arrive at Naga = saki tomorrow and the other SIX al Yokohama on Wednesday. All are carrying medical supplies and food:
 The Asiatisc fleet has been placed at the disposal of the Japanese min ister of marine for such use as ne may care to make of it in relief work, and arrangements have been made for several destroyers to ge' into position in the Pacific for re- laying wireless messages to the United States as to actual conditions in the stricken areas. These steps were reported to the department Dy Admiral Anderson in brief dispatch which said his advices were that Tokio and Yokohama had been deHas- tated by earthquake, typhoon, fire and tidal wave.
 War department officers meantime undertook a survey of the facilities at their command which might be used In the emergency. The trans port Merritt. they said, was at Manila and might, if necessary, be loaded with medical clothing and other sup plies, including foodstuffs. and sent to Japan The Merritt is built to ac, commodate about 500 persons in ad- dition to its officers and enlisted personnel.
 Plans also under consideration would provide for the use of many other government vessels. including some of the shipping board. for carry ing supplies and perhaps for use as receiving ships for refugees or as hospitals. If feasible 1t is indicated that some of these ships may be diverted to Japan from their present routes.
 Although more than two days have elapsed since the earthquake. noth ing has been heard of American of ficials or private citizens who were