TRIAL OF JAP HEADS

Chronicle (Levin), 6 May 1946, Page 5

TRIAL OF JAP HEADS

TOJO CONFIDENT IN HIS CASE TOKIO, Alay 3. The trial has begun of the top Japanese leaders who were in power at the time of, and just prior to, the bombin^ of Pearl Harbour. Twenty-flve topfiight Japanese war criminal suspeetj1 were brought to the War irinistrv building under heavv guard for arraignnient. General Tojo, the former Prime Minister, in the centre of the line-up, wore a dark suit and khaki army cap. The C'o'urt adjourned until more of the accused eould attend. The chairman of the Tribunal (Justiee Bir William Webb) said the Court should consider the cases without fear or favour. The faet tliat"^ defendants had been of high ranlc would entitle them to no more consideration than if they had been privates. While the indictment wTas being read in Japaifese and English, Shumei Okawa, onee a fiouth Alanehurian rail way official and the advocate of an aggressive war to drive the whites from Asia, startled the Court by playfully smaeking Tojo on the head. Okawa began praying and then began to sliout gibberish, which even the Japanese eould not understand. A guard grabbed Okawa and settled him firmly in his seat. Ojcawa again resoundinglv slap » ped Tojo's bristling head as the former "Premier busied liimself with his papers. Tojo merely grinned. Okawa was dragged from the Court. When he returned after the recess, he was docile. "I am quite confident in mv case,' said Tojo in an interview one hour be-

viewed in a crowded prisoners' waiting room. He waved his eigarette, smiled broadlv, and nodded vigorouslv as he made his statement. £I believe I was a good Japanese," he added. "I feel i did right," but, jinfortunately/ I was on the losing side. " Tojo, who attempted suicide last 3'e^r, said he was-feeling . quite well.