TO BE HANGED

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 138, 8 December 1945, Page 7

TO BE HANGED

GENERAL YAMASHITA

SENTENCE AT MANILA (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) Rec. 9 a.m. MANILA, Dec. 7. The Japanese conqueror of Malaya and the Philippines, General Yamashita, has bean sentenced to death after a six-week trial in Manila. Standing before the Bench. YamaUhita heard the verdict read by i'.'lajor- ; General Russell Reynolds, president of | the military commission: "This commission finds tha\ i\ series of atrocities and ! high crimes was committed by the Japanese armed forces under yourj j command against nationals of the Unit- j ed States and its allies and depen- j dencics; and that these were not spor- j adic incidents but often methodically | supervised by Japanese officers' and non-commissioned officers. During the period in question you failed to provide effective control of your troops as required by the circumstances. Accordingly, on a secret ballot, with twothirds or more of the commission concurring, the commission finds you guilty as charged and sentences you to death by hanging." Yamashita's shoulders sagged, but he straightened them quickly and made a curt bow to the commission.

Before the verdict Yamashita told the Court:,"l wish to stand here today with a clear conscience, and I swear to God that I am innocent of these charges. I wish to express my gratitude to the United States officers of the defence, who are brilliant and upright officers. I wish to thank the commission for its fair trial."

Counsel for the defence has indicated that Yamashita will appeal to Lieut.General W. D. Styer. commander of the army forces in the West Pacific, who convened the commission, and then, if necessary, to General Mac Arthur as the Allied commander in the Pacific, and to the United States Supreme Court, where an appeal is pending. The defence intends to take advantage of every possibility, because the case sets precedents in international law.

The Tokio "Mainichi" said that a few hours before the verdict Mrs. Yainashita said she had declined suggestions by friends that she should appeal to Mrs MacAi-thur '"for help and justice for my husband." "The American method of justice is admirably fair." she said, '"and 1 am pleased will: it. I thought my imsband would be tried, because lie" was in command for a long lime at the front."