AGGRESSION IN MANCHURIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 7

AGGRESSION IN MANCHURIA

JAPANESE ARMY’S ACTIONS FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT / CONTROL (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) TOKYO, June 25. “The Japanese Government tried to control the Army after the Manchurian incident, but failed to keep the military from grabbing more territory," said Baron Shidehara in evidence before the War Crimes Tribunal. The 71-year-old former Prime Minister, who was Foreign Minister under Baron Wakatsukl, was called as a witness for the prosecution in the trial of 28 of Japan’s former leaders. He said the Wakatsukl Cabinet was forced to resign as the result of its inability to control the Army and suppress its aggressions in Manchuria. A Japenese newspaperman, Tomin Suzuki, giving .evidence before the tribunal, said that General Tojo, Japan’s war-time Prime Minister, betrayed his own Foreign Minister, Togo, when he plunged Japan into the war against the United States. Tojo, less than two months before Pearl Harbour, promised Togo that he would support a policy of peaceful Settlement of differences with the United States, Suzuki said that he was surprised to see Togo enter a militaristic Cabinet, for he had always believed him to be an exponent of peace. “Togo was thoroughly convinced that Tojo would. not betray him," added Suzuki. Consequently, he interviewed Togo, who told him that he became Foreign Minister only because Tojo had assured him that he wanted peace.