Evening star., 1926-11-14
THE WORLDS WINGS
IV-The 'Ho,Bird'' Spreads Its Pinions

IN the Japanese mythology there is story
about the "Ho Bird" which was supposed
by "ase the Sum Sun Goddess Goddess pros progenitor It' Of the
Japanese race. This fable bird is
is analogous to the phoenix of the Egyptians
and Arabians, which. as ancient mythology
would tell u.s. lived for 500 years, and then
destroyed itself by fire, arising again from the
ashes in renewed splendor and vigor OF youth.
The world stood aghast at the national ulS-
aster with which the Japanese We're over
thrown by the recent earthquake But the
shock of that great earthquake, or Jlsnln,
and minor earthquakes following it made no
more apparent impression upon the national
consciousness of the Japanese than the ordl-
nary passage of the elevated trains In New
York makes upon the consciousness of the peo-
pie passing underneath. I say apparent, be-
cause the japanese can conceal his grief under
a bland and smiling countenance which does
not portray his inner feelings. They perished
without affecting, however, the ultimate destiny
of Japan. and while sorrow was confined to the
individual home, the nation proceeded onward
In it's path without swerving.
X X X X
So it is that the "Ho Bird" has arisen from
the ruins of Toxic and Yokohama. Already a
newer and larger Toxic is suppanting its prede-
cessor, and out of the ashes of confagration is
coming that new spirit Of cooperation among
self felt throughout the world
That the "Ho-Bird." personifed by the
Nipponse, is a warlike bird cannot be denied
when the first moves at rehabilitation made
after the earthquake had spent it's might are
considered. The very earliest activity OF the
Japanese government to make soundings
along the coast in proximity to the various
naval bases and navy yards to determine If
the mighty earth shakings and shiftings had in
the measure changed the depth Of water, to
the end that those bases might have to be aban-
doned for construction at other localities
Despite the severity of the quake 1t was
found that apprecable changes in the ocean
bed had taken place. North of the straight line
connecting Kisarazu with Yokohama across the
Bay Of Toxic serious changes were noted,
but south Of the line upheaval had raised
the ocean bed about Yokosuka feet, from to
feet off Tateyama, and feet In the vicinity
of Sunosaki Cape, in the Boso Promontory.
These changes made no difference in the avail
ability Of all the naval bases in the vicinity,
on account of the fact that the depth Of water
in the whole region is safe for the very largest
vessels ever built. The depth Of water in Toxic
Bay remained unatered
X X X x
This information gained, work was started
on the rebuilding Of Toxic. Here the leaders Of
the empire showed their hand to the utmost.
Not a bit of reconstruction was started until
the military needs of the future were consider
ed and incorporated in the scheme. Aerial de-
fense took first place in these considerations.
Mai Gen. Uyehara, commandant of the Army
Aviation School, called attention to the more
destructive power than the earthquake and
flames that an aerial fleet assuming the often
sive could display against city like Toxic and
emphasized the paramount Importance or taxing