THE Japanese cabinet was in process of reorganisation
when the earthquake and fire laid in ruins the nation's
capital and its most important seaport, destroyed im-
portant government buildings, and thrust upon the
Imperial Government unparalleled tasks of relief and
reconstruction. In this crisis Viscount Goto, "the Roose-
velt of Japan," was made Minister of Home Affairs, and
was thus placed in charge of that branch of the govern-
ment especially responsible for the work of rebuilding
and rehabilitation. While the fires were still burning
in Tokyo and Yokohama, the new government set about
its task.

On the receipt of the first news of the Japanese dis-
aster, the New York Bureau of Municipal Research,
through its chairman, Mr. R. Fulton Cutting, cabled to
Viscount Goto offering to place freely at his disposal the
services of the Bureau's staff wherever they might be of
use in connection with reconstruction.

On September 7th, six days after the earthquake, Dr.
Charles A. Beard, a former director of the Bureau of
Municipal Research, received the following delayed cable:
"Earthquake and fire destroyed the greater part of Tokyo.
Thoroughgoing reconstruction needed. Please come im-
mediately if possible, even for a short stay. Viscount
Goto." This cable is said to be the first official news
despatched from Japan with regard to the disaster.
Under the circumstances the Bureau of Municipal Re-
search asked Dr. Beard to undertake as its representative

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