JAPANESE WOMAN WITNESS AT TREASON TRIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 22 August 1946, Page 5

JAPANESE WOMAN WITNESS AT TREASON TRIAL

Received Wednesday, 7.50 p.in. SYDNEY, August 21. The second duy of the liearing of the treuson charge against Alajor Charles Huglies CouHcns, in the Central Court, has been notable cliiefly for the gruelJing c.ross-exanii nation of the Japanese witness Fonmi Saislio, by Alr. J. Bhand, K.C., counsel for accused. "There are dozens of witnesses of who ni Alajor ince and Lieutenant-Gom-inander Henshaw are two, who can give evidence that the utmost duress, violence and threals were used towards i ousens, " said Alr Bhand. "If Army intelligence say they have been unable to (iml any evidence, they are eitlier hopelessly inconijietent or they are shutting their eyes. " In evidence Saisho said that Cousens had shown her a letter in 1942 which he said he had written to a Japanese otticer on the suliject of flying to Australin for peace negotiations. In it he undertook to retuni as soon as negotiations were finished. Bhe gave details of Cousens' work at Radio Tokio. L'nder eross-examlnation witness said that when she stated Cousens was placed in a room by himself, she meant that it was regurded as his ollice. Two other Allied oflicers were witli him. Bhe afiirmed that Cousens was putting out propaganda witli coereion or duress. Baisho admitted that Cousens had made it apparent to her he was most unhapjiy and reallv that his iit'e was not vvorth li\ing. Alr. Bhand: Did he say he was going to commit suicidef Witness: Yes. 1 remember telling him it was far easier to die than to live and that. it was cowardly of him to tliink of sucli a thing.