TOJO'S EXCUSES OVER PEARL HARBOUR

Chronicle (Levin), 7 January 1948, Page 5

TOJO'S EXCUSES OVER PEARL HARBOUR

Received Tuesdav, 11.5 p.m. TOKIO, Jan .6. Giving evidcnce before the Interna tional JMilitarv Tribunal today, Toj said, although he was then Prinii Minister and War Minister, he did no know of the contemplated attaek oi. Pearl llarbour in Deeember 1941 unti long after the task force had sailei. from Japan. The task force 1s departun was "just a measnre taken as a prepar ation for.operations. " Tojo added thai he first learnt of the impending attaek either on Deeember 1 or Deeember 2 after the Imperi'al conference had dc cided upon war. He was told by tlu Army- Uhief of Staff but did not convey the information to the Kmperor becausi that was the responsibility of either the Clnef of the Army General Btaff or Xavy General Btaff (both of whom ar now dead). The High Command had ( responsibility to a certain extent to tel. the. Kmperor of the attaek. He believ ed they gave him a general outline. Beveral times between Decemlier 1 and Deeember 7 the Kmperor received him in audience. Tojo said he did no, discuss Pearl llarbour. The Uhief Proseeutor, Mr. Keenan: Did yon purposely refrain? Tojo: L spoke with him on greatei matters. Pearl Harbour was just a part of the war. Tlie prosecution closed its cross examinatiou after Tojo declared he felt he had cojnmitted 110 wrong lega, or moral in whatever he had to do with the war which began with the attaek 011 Pearl llarbour. Tojo said it might have been against Hirohito's will that Japan went to war. The Emperor V love and (lesire for peace remained du same right up to the monient when lios tilities began and even during the war.