Fire

On the outskirts of Tokyo--a city slowly rising from the ruins wrought by the seismic cataclysm of 1923 (TIME, Sept. 10, 1923, et seq.)--smoke burst into fire in a factory. Greedy, licking flames were fanned by a devil's wind and, within a day, a space of one square mile extending into the city lay black, scorching, smoking. More than 1,700 houses had been destroyed, nearly 10,000 people made homeless. Nobody was reported dead, but ten people were listed as missing, more than 100 injured and 50 children, separated during the fire from their parents, began a hectic search for their fathers and mothers. The damage was put at 3,500,000 yen ($1,750,000).

The Emperor opened a relief subscription list with a donation of 5,000 yen. The Government and charity organizations distributed bread and rice, quilts and blankets. Next day, on the charred and chaotic wasteland, people began to build their rickety Japanese dwellings.

U. S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg cabled U. S. Ambassador E. A. Bancroft:

Associated Press reports major conflagration in Tokyo. You may express to the Foreign Office the profound sympathy of this Government that this misfortune has fallen upon a city which was already struggling so gallantly against adversities. You may further make plain our hope that the Japanese authorities will have no hesitation in calling upon us if there is any assistance we can lend.

Present the sympathy of the President to the Emperor and his Government. Ascertain and report at once extent of fire loss and need of relief. American Red Cross instructed to give every desired assistance.

The American Red Cross telegraphed to the Japanese Red Cross:

The entire membership of the American Red Cross expresses its sympathy for Japanese sufferers in the recent fire in Tokyo. Can we be of assistance?