ADMIRAL’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 189, 9 May 1944, Page 5

ADMIRAL’S DEATH

Doubt If True Cause Given (Received May 8. 10 p.m.) (NEW YORK, May 7. Admiral (Koga’s ashes were taken to Tokio on Sunday. The special train was met at the station by high dignatories, including General Tojo and the Emperor s Aide-de-Camp. The Central News agency quotes an unconfirmed report that Admiral Mineichi Koga, whose death was admitted by Tokio radio, committed suicide after the American seizure of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. The Washington correspondent, of the “New York Herald Tribune” says that officials are discussing the mysterious circumstances of Admiral Kogas d-eatii and disbelieve the Japanese report that he was 'killed in action while directing naval operations from an. aeroplane in M They -point out that Koga’s death followed vociferous false Japanese claims or victories in November, 1943. . Three suppositions are advanced. .First, Koga may have committed hara-kiri in protest against a reshuffle of the J a ese Navy's High Command. 'Secondly, he may have committed suicide because he assumed responsibility for misleading the Emperor Hirohito, who issued an Imperial rescript -praising non-existent victory. Thirdly, he may have been assassinated in a feud with tne he would not be the first high navhl officer to be murdered by young army rebels, whose protracted feud with the navy has recently 'been sharpened aecause the hitter is unable to save the army unite stranded in the IPacific islands.