The first day or two were spent in anxious inquiry for friends, and in questioning the truth of the rumours coming in from Yokohama and elsewhere, which were known to have been affected by the earthquake, but were cut off from Tokio. Also the problem of the next mea] became pressing. In the suburbs there was plenty of food, while in the heart of the city food was very scarce.
After a day or two the first efforts at organization were apparent. The streets were congested by crowds moving in and out, but there was little evidence of lawlessness, though rumours of possible outbreaks were prevalent and nightly guards were organized by the residents of tach district. These continued unti] the 5th and 6th, when sufficient troops were available to take over the duties.
The food problem was regarded as very serious until the morning of September 7, when assurances were Officially given that sufficient supplies were coming in to make good the shortage.
In the meantime every effort was being made to transport as many as possible to the country. The earthquake having damaged
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.