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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 1923)
TROOPS RUSHED TO TOKIO TO CONTROL HOBS AND VANDALS Two Densely Populated Islands Believed to Have Been Swallowed Up In Ocean During Earthquakes—Esti mates of Death Toll Mount to 250,000 as Renewed Earth Shocks Cause New Outburst of Flames in Tokio —Property Damage, Totalling Billions, May Lose Em pire Place as Fourth World Power. Tomoika, Japan, (Via Radio Corporation of America to San Francisco), April 3.—Bonin island, several hundred miles off •Japan- and Oshima island- off the Idzu peninsula, have sunk into the ocean, it is feared, as no word has been heard from these densely populated regions since the devastating earth quakes of Saturday morning. The Ryoguku bridge gave way while thousands of quake and fire refugees were fighting their way across, and a heavy loss of life occurred. No estimate is available of the fatali ties, as the rushing waters carried hundreds of bodies away. A scene of horror that challenges the imagination is pre sented in Tokio as frenzied tho usands fight for food. Police and soldiers are driv ing the mobs back with naked swords. Scores have been kill ed and injured in these food riots. Thousands of soldiers are marching into Tokio to main . tain order. Vandals Shot Down BY LLOYD LEHRBAS Staff Correspondent Universal Service Shanghai, Sept. 3—Japanese troops from all parts of the em pire Monday night were rush ing to augment the forces now guarding the devastated cities and towns which were razed by earthquake, fire, typhoon and tidal wave Saturday. Addition al military was requested ade quately to protect the wreckage from the plunder of looters. Many robbers are taking ad vantage of the prostrated cities, towns and hamlets and are making away with what loot can be safely taken. Reports ■of shooting of the bandits, how ever, are contained in every dispatch reaching this city. The Japanese News agency here reported Monday night that the cities of Kamakura, Odawara, Haehioji, Chiba Ka waguchi, Kofu, Gotemba, Ko yama, Mishima, Atima, Ito, Yo kosuka and Shimoda are com pletely ruined. Large naval bases were located at Yokosuka and Kamakura. They are a total loss. An aviator flew over the town of Kamakura and re ported that not a single house was standing. Odawara was destroyed by the tidal wav< The mountain of water left no trace of the city. Chiba, which was at first report ed somewhat Isolated from the sweeping flames, is now reported as destroyed. It was one of Japan’s "show places." It is situated on the outskirts of Tokio. Early Monday afternoon there was a lull U\ the intensity of the conflagration m the capital and it appeared the flames which had al ready practically destroyed Tokio had abated, when, without the slightest warning, two severe earth shocks occurred, which destroyed approximately 400 additional build ings. The fire, fanned by a stiff wind, started anew and Monday night was burning furiously. No means of combatting the flames can he successfully undertaken, due to the broken water mains. Officials who have been ceaselessly laboring to check the progress of the fire have resorted to the destruction of buildings by dynamite in the path •of the flames. The latest earth tremors and con sequent renewal of the disastrous fire were fatal to hundreds of per sons. A frantic rush to what the half maddened unfortunates deem ed' places of safety congested the limited points of exit. Minister of War Takarabe, in a statement, estimated the loss of life at 159,090 in Tokio aioae. The estimate of dead at Yokohama was conservatively placed at 199,900. The belief prevailed here Monday night that the total loss of life will greatly exceed 250,000. Japan’s Worst Disaster The holocaust is without parallel. The present disaster exceeds the number killed In Yaddo in 185e. Foreigners who returned safely to Shanghai described the scene5~~ In Tokio and Yokohama and other destroyed cities as maddening. Sorrowing relatives were not per mitted to attempt identification of the dead. In order to preclude any possibility of plague, the bodies have been heaped into huge piles and cremated. Apprehension is felt here for the safety of foreigners known to have been in the stricken cities. No di rect word has been received from Americans. A score of British sub jects were reported to have safely boarded . British vessels in Yokoha ma harbor. Navigation Suspended Navigation in Tokio bay has been suspended on account of the de struction by tidal waves of the light houses at the entrance of the har bor. The Shanghai branch of the American Red Cross, Japanese and Chinese relief organizations have collected from liberal citizens here ' $300,000 to ameliorate the Inde scribable suffering, particularly of the peasants. A line of pitiful Japanese, Chi nese, Koreans and other oreigners miles long stood in line wearily for hours at temporarily established re lief stations and received food ra tions. Most of the unfortunates are camping out, minus shelter, just outside of Tokio. No semblance of ordier can be maintained at the food stations. Attempts to allay the fear and console the sorrowful pop ulace are unavailing. No estimate of the property dam age can be given with any degree of accuracy. It will mount into bil lions. Aviators View Ruins Government buildings in Tokio and Yokohama collapsed, killing hun dreds, but the royal palace was only partly destroyed, according to avia tors, and now is sheltering refug ees. Premer Yama Moto, who took of fice only last week, and had not completed his cabinet when the earth shocks began on Saturday, speeded up formation of his ministry, which was completed and installed while flames raged in every part of the capitol. Aside from the terrible tbll of lives, Japan has been set back a genera tion by the disaster, the Osaka Main ichi says. Japan will lose her position as fourth power of the world, according to the Mainichi, because the country has no financial reserve. The larg est companies are bankrupt; Insur ance concerns and many of the strongest banks probably are ruined. The country's manufacturing in terests are blasted. The Osaka Malnchl established Monday an airplane news service from Tokio. Its correspondent brought the lat est eye witness stories of the dis aster. Quakes Follow Rapidly According to the Mainichi, the first appalling earth shock occurred at noon Saturday, to be followed by more than 10 others in rapid succes sion. Every dwelling house In the capi tal was either completely destroyed or partially damaged. Before the rumblings of the first quake had dledi away, people pour ed from the houses, filled the streets and other open spaces. Some drag ged, others who were injured by fal ling masonry and timbers. They left behind In ruined homes many who could not be rescued, whose cries followed them as they fled. Then successive shocks drowned these vain calls for help and added fresh victims to the toll of dead and dying. The shocks continued until sun down. Swims 22 Miles New Orleans, Sept. 8—Emmett' Hunt, a local swimming instructor, completed a 22-mile swim across Lake Pontchartrain at 3:30 o’clock Monday afternoon, covering the dis tance In approximately IB hours. SHIP TAKES REFUGEES San Francisco, 8ept. 3.—The Toyo Kisen Kaisha Steamship Company received word Monday from the captain of the steamer Korea Maru that his vessel is safe at Yokohama harbor. She has on board 2,3000 refugees. Ruhr Miners Vote To Work Under French Dusseldorf, Sept. 3.—A majority of Ruhr miners from the Ischc, Hum boldt and Rosenblumsnthal mines voted today to resume work under control of the French. Five thousand workers discussed the project of ceasing resistance and 71 per cent, voted favorably. PROTECT GAME FROM ENEMIES South Dakota SporUmen Or ganised To Fight Crows and Hawks Rapid City, S. IX, Sept. 1.—A move ment is under way to protect the game of this section by enlisting the aid of sportsmen in shooting game destroying animals and birds before they have an opportunity to cause destruction during the nesting and mating season. Plans are being made to have every sportsman Interested in game protection, spend some time ridding woods, field and marsh of predatory hawks, owls and crows, weasels and others kill 10 times as many game as ail gunners combineed. It has been stated that the red squirrel alone will kill 800 birds a season, while the great horned owl destroys annually covey after covey of quail. Special efforts are being made to enlist the aid of game lovers against the crow who is described as destroying Individually more birds of all kinds, more bird’s eggs and young poultry than any other bird that ever flapped a wing. All game destroying animals and birds are classed by sportsmen and game lovers as vermin, and it is ex pected that vermin hunting clubs can be organized here and that members of established gun clubs will Join in the movement by going into the woods and shooting as many game destroyers as they can find. RAISE VALDES REAL PROPERTY South Dakota Tax Commis sion Grants Part of Plea of Davison County Farmers Mitchell, S. D., Sept. 1. (Special)— Word received from Pierre today is to the effect that the state tax com mission has increased the assessed valuation of structures on the plat ted land in the city of Mitchell by 20 per cent, or a total of $712,727. This, in effect is a 2 per cent Increase over the values fixed by city asses sor J. M. Erion, for the county board reduced the assessor’s figures by 15 ■per cent during its sitting. The in i crease is not nearly as sweeping as that asked by L. P. Sherman and a delegation of Davison county farm ers, who demanded that the state tax board raise real estate, structures and personal property, including stocks of merchandise in Mitchell and lower structures and real es tate throughout the coueity. Re garding personal property in the country, the state tax board made the following changes: -d Raised horses and mules over three years, 20 per cent; raised stallions and Jacks kept for service, 60 per cent: lowered sheep 20 per cent; raised hogs 25 per cent; raised trac tion engines, 20 per cent; raised pianos 20 per cent. The final adjustment of assessed valuation in the city of Mitchell gives this city a total assessed valua tion of $7,190,771, from which revenue for the operation of the city is to be derived forthe coming year The increase in county property to gether with county increases brings the total assessed county valuation up to $31,665,057. as compared with $30,770,041 as fixed by the township assessors and the county board. Good Samaritan Is Forced To Bring Suit Sioux Falls, S. D., Sept. 1.—When a man is kind enough to make anoth er man a cash loan of $186 with which to settle a hospital bill, the person making the loan expects to be favored with the return of the money, —someday. That’s the contention of Henry Groenewald, although he makes it known through a suit filed with the clerk of circuit court here against Fred Huizenga. Groenewald seeks a total Judgment of $211 from Huizenga, stating in his complaint that he also loaned the de fendant $50 June 13, 1922, more than a year after the first ‘hospital’ loan, and that between April 1, 1921, and October 15, 1921, he rented a horse to the defendant for $60; in addition recovery of $75 more is asked, it be ing alleged that ftie defendant failed to return the horse, which was valu ed at that sum. Sold Booze Twice To Federal Officer. Mitchell, S. D., Sept. 1. (Special) —Earl Anshutz, who lives near Flaak inton made a mistake when he seld a gallon of moonshine to a federal pro hibition officer. The next day he re peated his offense and the following day he was arrested on the eharge of selling intoxicating liquor. He was brought'before U. S. Commissioner W. W. Hearns in Mitchell and demanded a preliminary hearing. He was bound over to federal court under ♦1,500 bond First Marriage For New Elk Point Church. Elk Point, S. D., Sept. 1. (Special) —The first marriage ceremony to be performed In St. Paul's church here was that of Miss Berthan Agnes Eld em, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. II. S. Eidem, to Milton R. Leer, young farmer near Vermilion. The mar riage service was read by Dr. A. J. Bergsaker, pastor of the church. A large number of out-of-town guests witnessed the ceremony. II. S. FLEET TO GIVE AID Asiatic Squadron Rushing Destroyers To Earthquake Scene With Supplies Washington, Sept. 3.—American destroyers will arrive at Yokohama on September 5 to extend relief mea sure, Admiral Anderson In command of the Asiatic fleet radioed the navy department from Darien, (Port Arthur Monday. The latest message from Anderson said that the destroyer Stewart, flag boat of the destroyer squadron, In command of Captain C. T. Pettlnglll, accompanied by the destroyers Smith, Thompson, Barker, Tracy, D. Edwards and Whipple, had sailed from Darien Sunday and would reach Yokohama the 5thfl The des troyer Borie sailed at the same time for Nagasaki, being due on the 4th. The cruiser Huron, Anderson’s flagship, and the destroyer Tender Blackhawk, sailed for Chefoo, Ander son said. Ships Form Rsdio Relay A second message from Admiral Anderson said that other destroyers were being stationed at various places as radio relay ships, In an attempt to reopen communication with Japan. All of the destroyers are carry ing medical supplies and food. The admiral reported also that he had offered the Japanese minister of marine the entire American Asiatic fleet for relief work. Philippines to Send Aid President Coolidge Monday night directed that the War department make available such supplies as can be spared from the department of the Philippines for the relief of victims of the Japanese disaster. Accordingly Secretary of War Weeks cabled Major General George W. Read, commanding the depart ment as follows: “You will load and dispaota the transports Meigs andt Merritt to Yokohama with the following classes of supplies to the limit to which they can be spared: Subsistence, medical, tentage, bedding, cots and such other supplies as will assure balanced relief for the stricken for eign and Japanese population. “Dispatch with transports a suit able detachment for making an ex peditious distribution of all sup plies. Get in touch with your lo cal Red Cross with reference to sup plies of rice supplementing your subsistence." Department officers estimated that it would require a d<ay for loading and seven days for passage from Manila to Yokohama. j LACK OFNEWS SHARPENS FEAR FOR AMERICANS State Department Seeks In formation on 500 In Quake Zone Washington, Sept. 3.—The state de partment Monday issued orders to consular officials at nearby Asiatic points to proceed at once to Japan to ascertain the fate of Americans in the devastated regions there. This action was taken because of the continued failure of the depart ment to re-establish communications with the American embassy at Tokio, or with consulates elsewhere in Japan. Department officials admit that this situation is ominous. Hope For Reports Soon The first duty of all American of ficials surviving the disaster would be to get in touch wth the United States government in any available manner, it was stated. In situations where all ines of communication are destroyed it would be the duty of survvors to make their way to the nearest point outsde of the region affected, and report from there. It is assumed that this is being done, and word from some Japanese point s expected by the department momentarily. Japanese Ambassador jviasanao Hanihara called to the state depart ment Monday afternoon and confer red at some length with Acting Secre tary Phillips on the situation. About 500 Americans in Japan. Estimates of Americans in Japan vary. States department officials say that probably not more than 500 were there at the time of the catastrophe. Many of them, it is pointed out, were in the mountains, or at health resorts well outside the capital of Yokohama. There is very little doubt that there have been American casualties, but the department officials believe they will be comparatively few. Every effort will be made by Its representa tives to check up on the fate of Americans known to have been there. Twenty-seven attaches of the American embassy at Veko are unac counted for, including Ambassador Cyrus E. Woods. China To Reject All Demands For Damages Peking, Sept. 3.—The Cinese gov ernment reply to the note of the foreign diplomats regarding the Llncheng holdup May 1, when sever al foreigners were kidnapped and held ransom by Chinese bandits will reject all of the edmands for satis faction conthalned in the note and ad mit responsibility only for reasonable compensation for losses sustained by the victims, according to authentic advance information. TWENTY THOUSAN I AT CORFU; OTHER ISLANDS OCCUPIED Jugo-Slavia Pledges Aid to G reece as Indications Point to Invasion of Albania—Brit ish Foreign Office Threatens “Economic Sanctions” if I taly Flaunts League of Na tions Decision—French C ome to Support of British Attitude. Geneva, Sept. 3—The Italian-Greek situation has taken a distinct turn for the better as a result of the decision of the French government ta support the contention of the British delegates who strongly urged that the whole question must be handled by the League of Nations here and not by the council of ambassadors at Paris. Instructions to this effect were re ceived by the French delegation Mon day morning, bringing Franoe-Briti sh solidarity on this fundamental principle which may well prove the turning point In the whole contro versy. BY C. F. BERTELLI Universal Service Correspondent. PARIS, Sept. 3—The high lights In the Greco-Italian dispute summed up Monday night disclose the follow ing situation: 1— Jugo-Slavia officially states that If Italy lands troops in Albania It will be considered a “casus foeder is", (for consideration under the treaty). —* 2— The Italians, though still pro claiming “peaceful” intentions, are keeping up their belligerent naval movements, occupying islands and firing on Greek merchant shipping. S—The Italians officially announc ed they will refuse arbitration by the league, not agreeing with this view, Italy fnay agree to let The Hague tribunal decide the question as to whether the league has proper jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Italy states she will "continue to take whatever measures seem necessary". 20,000 Landed in Corfu 4— Anti-Italian riots are reported from Athens, Salonikl and other Greek ports. 5— The Italians land 20,000 men, fully equipped, Including mountain guns, in Corfu, lending color to the report that it intends to invade Al bania. , "The tension is lessened,” said a high Italian diplomat Monday night. "All now depends on whether the Greek government decides to give in.” Hold Greeks Responsible Rome, Sept. 3—A dispatch from the Italian investigators at Janlna confirms the responsibility of the Greeks for the murder of General Tallini and the other members of the boundary commission. Colonel Betzaris, of the Greek com mission, was accused in the report of having threatened and insulted General Tellini for awarding the vil lage of Vremoneri to Albania. The investigators also charge that another attempt was made to kill General Tellini and his assistants on August 14 at Doma, but that it failed becaus# "a high Greek personage forbade the crkne”. Jugo-Slavs Make Threat Athens, Sept. 3.—Jugo-Slavla will take "designated measures" in the event Italy orders mobilization of her military forces or lands troops at Epirus, Belgrade has informed the Greek government, it was made known today. Belgrade and Athens are in con stant touch regarding the Italian moves in the Imbroglio precipitated by the assassination of five Italian officials in Greece and the Greek re fusal to submit to all conditions of Premier Mussolini’s ultimatum. Jugo-Slavla will regard Italian at tempts to permanently occupy Corfu, key to the Adriatic, as an invasion of Jugo-Slavian rights, it Is understood, as such occupation would amount to bottling up the leading member of the little Entente. Philadelphia, Sept. 3.—A cablegram from Premier Katogeropolous of Greece, to be transmitted to former Gov. Allen of Kansas, appealing for American mediation between Greece and Italy, was received here today by G. E. Silloway, director of the Near east relief. The message is signed by the form er Premier, who is now commander of the Greek navy and urges Mr. Allen to “enlist the good offices of the American nation in behalf of Greece to prevent further persecution and massacre of an innocent people." REPORT CHINA QUAKE - SHANGHAI, Sept. 3.—The city of Kuyuan in the province of Kaneu, suffered a severe earthquake Monday night. No loss of life has been reported. A cholera epidemic ie now raging in Kansu province. Hun dreds are reported dead from the disease. The earth disturbances coming at this time have added to the panic of the Chinese. ONE MILLION HOMELESS SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 3. —Japanese Consul General Oya ma of San Francisco has receiv ed the first offioial report on the disaster in Tokio from the Nip ponese consul general at Shang hai. The message declared that 160,000 were killed and injured In Tokio city and that 1,000,000 persons are homeless. Almost all of Tokio has been destroyed, the message said. BY JOHN T. BURKE Universal Service Correspondent London, Sept. 3—"Britain will stand firm as a rock in support of the covenant of the League of Na tions, which is not a string of plati tudes but a document as sacredly binding the honor of the signatory powers as any treaty ever negotiat ed. "If the league assembly decides that Italy's Invasion of Corfu is a violation of the covenant, Britain, abiding by the decision of that body, will Join other large and small pow ers in enforcing economic sanc tions." Boycott Foreshadowed ThlB strong statement, foreshad owed Britain's support of a boycott of Italy if ordered by the league, was made by an official of the for eign office Monday evening Just as Lord Curzon concluded his lengthy conference with Marquis Della Tor etta, the Italian ambassador. It gives a fair indication of what Brit ain's foreign minister told Premier Mussolini’s envoy. The spokesman of the foreign of fice added: "As Italy’s bombardment and cap ture of Corfu Is clearly a matter to be adjusted by the league, there Is no sense in separating that from the question of reparations and sat isfaction for the Janina murders by submitting the latter to the council of ambassadors. Rumors of Pact Denied "The question as a whole should be passed upon by the league and Lord Robert Cecil has been instruct ed to maintain that position.” The foreign office emphatically denies any secret pact with the Greek government, which It has not j even officially recognized. COOLIDGE MY/ HEEIS HYDE __ ** • Seeks Stricter Enforcement Missouri Governor Is Told Washington, Sept. 3.—President Coolldge intends to continue the prohibition enforcement policies of the late President Harding, it was revealed at the White House Mon day. The president alms to seek closer co-operation between federal and state authorities to make the 18tb amendent and the Volstead law ef fective to the fullest degree, it wa/ announced. The executive’s attitude on “dry” law enforcement was made known at a conference with Governor Hyde, of Missouri, who came to Washington primarily, he said, to discuss this subject. Governor Hyde said he would not be able to attend the governors’ conference the president is to call in the near future and took this oppor tunity to reach an understanding with the executive on “dry” law en forcement in his state. After his conference with the presi dent, Governor Hyde said that police of the Missouri cities and other law enforcement agencies in that state would continue to co-operate with the federal authorities. The president has not determined on just when the governors’ confer ence will be held. He is still await ing the return to Washington of Prohibition Commissioner Haynes, who continues ill at his home at Hillsboro, Ohio. Eight States Revamp Child Labor Statutes Washington, Sept. S.—Only eight states have improved their child la bor laws since the federal child labor tax law declared Qnconstltutlonal, the childrens bureau of the department of labor declared today in o Labor day review of the situation. _ POPE SENDS MESSAGE ROME, Sept. 3,—A dispatch from Tokio to the foreign office Monday said all members of the Italian embassy to Japan ss oaped injury in the earthquake and fire. Pope Pius XI Monday sent a cable to the apostolio delegate in Tokio extending his sympathy to Japan in the disas ter.
