TRIAL OF MAJOR COUSENS.

Chronicle (Levin), 17 September 1946, Page 5

TRIAL OF MAJOR COUSENS.

Reeeived Mondav, 9.20 p.m. SYDXEY, Sept 16. Giving evidence in the case in whieh he is charged with high treason, Major Charles Hughes Cousens described Bunka prisoner of war camp where he and 24 other Allied prisoners were held. The food was. "reallv shocking" aud bathing facilities consisted of a wooden tub wliicli the prisoners were allowed to use after the Japanese had bathed and washed their elothes ih it. He collapsed from laek pf food in June 1944 and was in hospital for a month. O11 returning to Bunka he collapsed again and spent over three montlis in a civilian hospital. After that he was returned to Bunka where he stayed until the armistiee. He heard of an American ofticer who was execu'ted beeause he was caught with pai'ts of a broadeasting- script underlined. While at Bunka Major Cousens said he frequently diseussed with otliers plans for a sabotaging broa'dcast. When the Japanese surren'dered he refused to broadeast and later gave all the information whieh he had learned, to a British Naval ofllicer. Before cpmiueneing the cross-examin-ation, Mr. Dovey, for the Crown, said that General MacArthur's headquarters had no knowledge of the order supposed to have been issued by General MacArthur or A.draival Nimitz, that prisop.ers were to carry out Japanese orders rather than submihto tovture. Cross-examined . Major Cousens said he never thought during the war thgt the Army might miseonstrue his conduct.