A GERMAN VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 64, 13 September 1945, Page 7

A GERMAN VIEW

Japan's Greatest Mistake Rec. 11 a.m. TOKIO, Sept.' 12,

"The greatest mistake in the Japanese war set-up was that the army and navy worked absolutely separately," said the German Naval Attache, Admiral Paul Wennekcr, former commander of the Deutschland. He added that the army had its own transports and the navy did not protect them. The Japanese naval losses were terrible. Eleven German ships which were handed over to Japan were all lost. A German auxiliary cruiser reached Japan by steaming southoofl f Australia and then boldly steaming between Honolulu and San Francisco, only to be sunk near the mouth of Tokio Bay.

Admiral Wenneker said he did not know about the Pearl Harbour attack until he heard the radio report. Then he told the Japanese that it was utterly stupid.

Germany had a most difficult time in getting the co-operation of the Japanese, who were suspicious of all white peopie.

siderably, but there was no sympathy in the room among the officers who surrounded him as he reclined in a chair with blood bubbling from his chest.

Twenty minutes after shooting himself, Tojo started dictating a statement to two interpreters, defending his policies and motives. He said he wished to die by one shot. "I am very sorry it is taking so long to die," he said. "I would not like to be judged in front of a conqueror's court. I wait for the righteous judgment of history. Please do not make me breathe again." He talked on "a few more sentences, and then said: "If by a mistake I am still alive, I know the way to disembowel myself. Let General MacArthur have my body, but tell him I am not to be put on show for the people." Tojo was given another blood transfusion and was resting easily at 8 a.m. Large quantities of penicillin were injected at three-hour intervals. Tojo is not out of danger. His temperature is 100.4 degrees and his pulse rate 112, but he is still conscious. Tojo has been given a bed and a mattress instead of the cot on which he had been lying since he was brought into hospital last night.

GOOD CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.

New transfusions of American blood and penicillin have given Tojo a good chance to survive. Spurning an offer of breakfast today, Tojo mumbled thanks for a glass of water. He expressed thanks for medical care. His condition is stated to be very satisfactory.

An American sergeant who gave his blood said: "I am doing: this so that he will get his just dues and suffer for the 17 months he made me spend in New Guinea."

General Mac Arthur's personal physician, Colonel Roger Egeberg, is attending at the bedside, and four American nurses are assisting. One remarked, "I didn't think we- would come to this after 40 months overseas."