ASSASSINATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1921, Page 5

ASSASSINATED.

PREMIER OF JAPAN. STABBED BY A STUDENT. OPPONENT OF HIS POLICY.., EFFECT ON WASHINGTON. An assassin murdered the Prime Minister of Japan (M. Hara) by springing upon him at a railway station in Tokio and stabbing him in the breast. The murderer is a Japanese youth of nineteen, who became hostile towards the Premier through reading criticisms of him in the newspapers, while one message suggests that the youth was demented. The incident may have local political significance, but it is not expected to lead to diplomatic difficulties. It is stated that it will not affect Japan’s programme at the armament conference opening at Washington this week. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Washington, Nov. 4. The American Embassy in Tokio has advised the State Department that the Japanese Premier, M. Hara, was attack an assassin at a railway station in the evening, and is reported to be either dead or dying. Vancouver, Nov. 4. It is announced that M. Hara ia dead He was stabbed. New York, Nov .4. A radio message from Tokio states that M. Hara was assassinated by a Korean youth, who sprang upon the Premier, repeatedly stabbing him in the breast. He died 15 minutes later. His assailant has been arrested. Washington, Nov. 4. The Japanese delegates to the Conference have been thrown into confusion ‘by the death of M. Hara, details of which have not yet been received. It is considered that his death may seriously affect the plans of the delegates. THE SLAYER OF M. HARA. OF THE POOR STUDENT CLASS. INFLUENCED BY CRITICISM. Received Nov. G, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, Nov. 5. The Japanese Cabinet has offered its resignation to the Mikado, following the usual custom on the death or resignation of the Premier. Nakoaka, a Japanese youth, barely nineteen, was the slayer of M. Hara. He declared he did this for the welfare of Japan and killed M. Hara because of criticism of him which he read in the newspapers. Nakoaka maintained a bold and proud demeanour and has shown no sign of repentance. He is a type of poor student who was forced to leave school to earn his living. He is an omnivorous reader, especially of the newspapers which were strongly opposed to the Hara Ministry. M. Hara's will has been published. It declared that a small slab, only bearing his name and not mentioning his titles and honors, should be erected over his grave. The body will leave Tokio on Monday by -special train, and the 'interment will take place on November 11 at Morioka, his birthplace.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

INFLUENCE ON THE CONFERENCE. NO DIFFICULTIES EXPECTED. Received Nov. <J, 5.5 p.m. New York, Nov. 5. M. Adachi Kinnosuke, writing in the New Y r ork Herald, declares the consensus of opinion of the Japanese delegates is that M. Hara’s assassination will not affect Japan’s programme at the Armament Conference. He points out that Japan’s participation was not an exclusive Government enterprise, but was backed by the people, while M. Kato, who was M. Hara’s greatest political enemy, had promised fullest support. Other correspondents declare that several members of the Japanese delegation received threatening letters before their departure, including M. Tokujawa. Late Tokio despatches state the assassin is demented. Received Nov. 5, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 4.

At a late hour to-night the Japanese Embassy and the conference delegates were without notification of M. Hara’s death. 111? only news was the State Department’s announcements. President Harding and Mr. C. E. Hughes conveyed regrets to the Tokio Government

FEELING IN BRITAIN. PRESS DEPLORES THE MURDER. Received Nov. G, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 5. The newspapers deplore the murder of M. Hara and express the hope that it will not effect the Washington Conference. Apparently due to a strict censorship in Japan, only meagre details have been received, mostly via New York, and the motive for the crime is not yet known. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRIBUTE TO M. HARA. ‘A GREAT AND GOOD MAN.” Received Nov. 6, 11.40 p.m. New York, Nov. 6. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent says M. Shidehara, in a statement, said: “A great and good man has been taken from Japan at a time in his career when he could least be spared. It will now be a worthy tribute to his memory to carry forward the Pacific policy to which M. Hara has been committed.” The correspondent adds that Admiral Tomasoburo Kato has telegraphed his resignation to the Government, but this is considered a mere maker of formality—more in his capacity of Minister of Marine than as head of Japan’s delegation. It is believed it will not be accepted, since it is felt that if he was now ih Japan he would be appointed Premier. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable