United Press • September 01, 1923
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Japanese city of Yokohama is on fire following a terrific earthquake crash, according to a wireless dispatch received here today by the Radio Corporation of America from the Japanese naval radio station at Iwaki.
The radiogram describing the fire was received by the Radio Corporation of America from Tomokia where the Japanese connection of the American Corporation to the station of Iwaki is located.
The message said:
"A conflagration subsequent to a severe earthquake is general throughout Yokohama. Practically the entire city is in flames, with many casualties."
Yokohama, a seaport of Japan, is the port of Tokio. It is the center of Western business and social activities in Japan. The population amounts to nearly a million. It is situated on the eastern shore of Hondo, on the Bay of Tokio, 17 miles from the imperial capital.
The Radio Corporation was advised by its station at Tomoika that land lines were completely disrupted by the earthquake. It may be some hours before news of the Yokohama disaster can be brought to the station for transmission to the United States.
Communication is being handled by train.
The Tomoika station is completely out of touch with the inland cities.
The trans-Pacific cable lines into Japan have been broken and it is necessary to transmit dispatches by way of Shanghai. It is doubtful if the cable line between Shanghai and Nagaski is in operation.
OSAKA -- Practically all of Japan was shaken violently for more than an hour by an earthquake of almost unprecedented power. Severe damage was suffered in Tokio. Railway and telegraphic communications were dislocated.
WASHINGTON -- There are about 200 Americana In Yokohama, swept by an earthquake and fire. State Department officials estimated today. Ordinarily there are more, sometimes as many as 1,000, but in the summer many of them go to the mountains.
Most of the Americans are engaged in business in Tokyo and live in Yokohama. The department was without advices today whether any of the Americans were victims of the disaster.
LONDON -- An exceptionally severe earthquake was registered by private seismographs at 4:11 this morning. The earthquake originated about 550 miles from London, it was estimated.
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WASHINGTON -- The seismograph at Georgetown University here recorded a severe earthquake of five hours' duration early today. Father Tondorf in charge of the observatory, said. He estimated the shocks occurred 5,500 miles from Washington, but could not tell the direction or probable location. The shocks began at 10:12 p.m. Friday and lasted until 3 a.m. today.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Records of a tremendous earthquake continuing from 10:23 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. were shown today on the seismograph at St. Ignatius College it was announced by Professor F.L. Odenbach, observer.
The source of the quake could not be determined, but Odenbach said indications were it occurred some where among the islands of the Pacific along the coast of Asia.