Returning yesterday from the scene of the recent earthquake in Yokohama, J. B. Squier '24 related to a CRIMSON reporter last evening some of the tragic incidents of the disaster. Had it not been for the courage and the countless acts of heroism, the incredible suffering of the people would have been unbearable.

News of the disaster did not reach Kobe, where Mr. Squier was staying, until Monday. Within three hours, the American and English business men in the city had raised $50,000. The West o' Rowa, an American ship, was unloaded and reloaded with supplies for the refugees in eighteen hours. It was the first relief to reach Yokohama, where thousands of refugees were rescued. These people, mostly Chinese, had lived more than four days without food or water, suffering all the while indescribable physical torment from their wounds. In an attempt to allay in some measure the pain, they bathed themselves in the salt water, which only served to torture them more.

Water Saved Many From Death

Many had escaped death by the luckiest chance. Fleeing from the heat of the burning city they had thrown themselves into the water. Then hidden oil tanks had exploded nearly, covering the surface of the bay with a film that immediately took fire. Thousands perished in the terrific conflagration that followed, and charred bodies floated up on the shore.

The relief boat returned to Kobe, loaded with over a thousand Chinamen, Russians and other foreigners. Meanwhile measures had been taken for emergency hospitals. The Oriental Hotel, an American establishment, was turned over for the purpose. Here volunteer nurses worked over the sufferers, each day removing the bandages so that the doctor might make his round of the fifty patients in as short a time as possible. The cases where operations had to be made, were sent to the regular hospital.

Americans and English Helped

It was American and English efficiency and self-sacrifice that saved the situation. Giving up their various occupations, business men threw themselves into their task, working from 18 to 20 hours a day.

Mr. Squier had nothing but praise for the bravery of the Chinese. Through some blunder, all operating instruments had been left off the relief ship. One Chinaman sat without uttering a word or groan while a doctor cut off three of his toes with a pair of scissors, and after the operation, he thanked the surgeon.

Servants Showed Courage

The Japanese servants also showed remarkable courage. An Amah, or serving maid, who was only slightly over four feet tall, dragged her master, who weighed 175 pounds, two or three miles through the flames, refusing to think of her own safety until she had placed the stricken man in the care of the rescuers.

"People do not realize the gravity of the situation. Time may obliterate the horror of it, which can not be understood unless one came in close contact with the catastrophe. It brought rich and poor together on the same footing. They helped each other, and, though penniless, they knew the true value of life, having come face to face with death