MAJOR COUSENS TELLS HIS STORY

Chronicle (Levin), 10 September 1946, Page 8

MAJOR COUSENS TELLS HIS STORY

^ DEFENCE OPENS IN TREASON TRIAL SYDNEY, Sept. 9. Major Charles Hughes Cousens gave evidence today as the first witness for his defenee on a charge of high treason while a prisoner of war. When the case resumed, Mr. Shand, for the defenee, asked the Crown to obtain a copy of an order made by General MacArtliur and Admiral NimitZ in April, 1943, commanding all generai servicemen, on being taken prisoners oi war, to submit to the Japanese demands .-ather than submit themselves to tornire and ill treatment. In evidence, Major Cousens said he was born at y oona, India, of British parents and educated at S/ndhurst Military College. He served as a commissioned olfieer with the British Army m India until 1926 when he was honourably discharged. He then went to Ausisraiia and on the outbreak of war was chief announcer at 2GB Sydney. At Ihe time of the surrendel- of Singapore, he was second in command of the 19th •lattalion and went with the rest to Changi camp. On being told that it was the wish of the G.O.C., the A.l.F. in Maiaya that he should broadcast saying that the survivors were safe and being reasonably treated, he demurrea as he had already taken steps to conceal his occupation from his captors. He was told to go ahead and did so. Following this the Japanese Hishakari told him that the Japanese wished him to broadcast from .Singapore. Ala.-jor Cousens said he refused despite the stateinent that he would not have to broadcast anything he did not want to. He maintained his attitude and was allowed to return to the men. Later ne received orders from A.l.F. headquarters that the Japanese again wanted to interview him. An Australian Coionei told him that if the Japanese requirea him to write a thesis he was not to ret'use as a couple of senior officers had already written a thesis and headquarters had made rulings on the subject. Ihe instructions tvere to "write a lot of rubbish and tell the Japanese as little as possible". Whsn he went before the Japanese again, however, he again refused. Hishikari became threatening and then demanded that he should write for the Japanese. Major Cousens said he was then placed in solitary confinement ana (inally he wrote "the wildest generalisations" about Pacilic trade. Ee was then interrogkted by the Japanese uaval commander Takasaki, who off'ered him the privileges of living outside the camp if he would broadcast. Major Cousens said he refused this and other offers and repprted the conversation to Colonel Anderson. Defendant then gave evidence of torturcs and killings by the Japanese. An Australian soldier who was eaught witn a stolen tin of onions, was fiogged uneonscious with a solid stick. He had uever seen men in such condition as were the Australian prisoners. -At this point Major Cousens became deeply distressed and was unabie to proceed. The Court was adjourned tor a short time and when it -resumed, Major Cousens said Australian officers liad to restrain the men from charging .irmed Japanese, with their bare hands. He descriued the journey to Mergui in Hie hellship Celelies Maru with 15UU Australians. He was struck severaJ times by the Japanese for ailowing tlie men to remaiu too long on deck. When ne interyened between a Japanese and ab&ut ; Ibi • , 5^qr ;Uqiisens eaid. he l'ie-J ^>th^ H^eQinUffe'^est fA'cei :> A weeUHater . he i!ep,eivifd o'rders-'to. proceed ;to Tdkio. He pfotested;,- .Before heffeft he' took a list of the men iil/camp for broddcast and wrote a letter explaining that the probability of his survival was remote. Ihe letter would later be produeed m evidence.