ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24744, 8 December 1945, Page 7

ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE

GENERAL BENNETT'S STORY

REASON FOR KEEPING WEAPONS (Rec 11.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 7. When Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett resumed his evidence to-day he was cross-examined by Mr W. R. Dovey, K.C., who is appearing to assist the Commissioner, on his justification for retaining weapons in the circumstances, and was asked" did he know whether in taking weapons he was committing a breach of one. of the surrender conditions:-' ■ Lieutenant-General Bennett said •he knew he was committing a breach of the conditions imposed by the Japanese, but said it was common for prisoners to try to get- arms. "I was not concerned ' about the morals or legality of it," said Lieuten-ant-General Bennett. "I was escaping and there might have been a time when arms were necessary. I did not care. I was justified in getting away with anything concerning the Japanese. Anything is fair in war." Mr Justice Ligertwood: I gather your Impression was that these orders were coming from the Japanese? Lieutenant-General Bennett: Yes. General Percival went out with the object of surrendering unconditionally. We expected the Japanese would nor allow any conditions. We asked for one condition and we didn't get iti The next witness was Major-Gene-ral C. E. M. Lloyd, Adjutant-General of the Australian Military Forces, who said it was Lieutenant-General Bennett's duty to surrender his body to the Japanese, and that he had no duty, to escape. In the terms of the capitulation as set out in the statement made by General Percival, Lieuten-ant-General Bennett's failure to surrender endangered Ms command and rendered voidable the Japanese offer, of capitulation.

Maior-General Lloyd said no did not question the necessity for capitulation at Singapore. Once the capitulation was constitutionally signed scrupulous adherence to.it was a question of international law.

Mr B. Clancy (representing Liea-tenant-General Bennett): Before General Bennett had any right to escape he had to allow himself to be captured.

■ Major-General Lloyd: That is my view.

•Mr Clancy; If he didn't escape and no Japanese came to him he should have gone to them and said 'Here'l am. Take me?'

Major-General Lloyd: He should have awaited the orders of his superior officer. General Percival. The Commission adjourned until Monday.