"The condition of many of the refuges in Kobe is pitiful, for the: do not know where to turn, while the severe, shocks to which they have been subjected, hnive upset their nerves to such an extent that they are still, two weeks later, unable to sleep," said Mr. Thurston Porter, who returned on Wednesday on the str. President Mc-Kinley with his recent bride, formerly Miss MacCoubrey, of the local American Court.
"We weve seated in the dining room of the hotel in Kobie,"? continued Mr. Porter, "which was entirely full, about nine-tenths of those present being refugees. When we were nearly through with dinner, the lights suddenly went out. Women screamed and shrieked and men rose: from their chairs in fear and dismay. Everyone thought that another quake had come. Pandemonium reigned, but shortly afterwards the lights came on again and matters quietened. A few minutes later a fuse blew out and the lights went again. A woman went into hysterics and when a fire extinguisher was brought into play round the short ciremit, the crowd went generally wild, but no one was hurt. Othars took charge of the frantic woman and managed to quiet her, but there was tension all round. Some of the men would only sleep if they were on board ship, otherwise found it impossible."
"The Red Cross from Shanghai is doing wonderful work both in Kobe and Yokohama," continued Mr. Porter. The party broke into groups and six of the ladies remained in Kobe while others went on. Mr. Cun-bingham is working from 12 to 14 hours a day, and the refugees and foreigners in general are praising them continuously."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.