SITUATION IN TOKIO

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 9

SITUATION IN TOKIO

Compromise With Rebels Rank and File to Return to Barracks Officers May Submit to Trial Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, February 27. (Received February 28, at 10.30 a.m.) It is officially announced that the army authorities have reached a compromise with the rebels, who have agreed to return to their barracks by 8 a.m. to-morrow. Groups of soldiers are already making their way back to their regimental units. It is understood that the compromise permits only the rank and file to return to their regiments. The officers are given the opportunity of deciding whether to submit to a trial or to make other proposals for their disposition. Motor lorries continue to bring food supplies to the rebels. The opinion is spreading that Japanese officials are sympathetically disposed towards the motives of the- rebels, while insisting on the maintenance of discipline. Government troops are erecting barricades at strategic points in the city.

WHITEHEAT NATIONALISM BRITISH PRESS VIEWS LONDON, February 27. (Received February 28, at 10 a.m.) The murders have aroused horror and execration throughout the whole world. The ‘ Manchester Guardian ’ points out that the army extremists are consumed with whiteheat Nationalism, comparable with German Nazism. It is a flame of ardour fanned equally by successes in Mnnchukno, arid reverses such as those sustained in the London and Washington agreements. As long as this mad patriotism inspires Japan we must expect pathological politics at home and ruthless Imperialism abroad. The object of the assassins’ enmity appears to Have been not politicians and rich financiers, but a small group of “ Elder Statesmen ” who were Japan’s last defence against a military dictatorship. The militarists, first and foremost, are devoted to Japanese Imperialism. They want to dominate Asia and the Far East, abolish Parliament, restrict the influence of the Imperial Court, and establish army-controlled Fascism.

‘ The Times ’ points out that the real issue is whether Japan is to be controlled by irresponsible officers, whose narrow, arrogant Chauvinism refuses to allow' anything to stand in the way of Japan’s mission to dominate the Far East.

RUSSIA PREPARED GRAVITY OF COMPLICATIONS PARIS, Februry 27. (Received February 28, at 10 a.m.) The French Press, expressing detestation of the murders, emphasises the gravity of possible world complications and considers that, if the extremists triumph, an immediate attack on the Soviet is unavoidable. ‘ Le Matin ’ understands that Russia is prepared for any eventuality. BDROER TENSION THREATS FROM THE SOVIET DARIEN, February 27. (Received February 28, at 10 a.m.) The Soviet Consul-General at Hat'bin has warned the Japanese forces in Manchukuo that if they cross the Soviet border they will learn that the Russian army is a different proposition from the Chinese or Manchukuoau armies. The Japanese Foreign Office retorted that it will not tolerate Soviet threats. JAPAN'S HANDICAP NEED FOR FOREIGN LOANS MOSCOW, February 27. (Received February 28, at 10 a.m.) M. Radek, writing in ‘ Izvestia,’ points out that Japan is unable to wage a serious war without substantial foreign loans, and expresses the opinion that world capital will think a hundred times before lending to a Government which may, like its predecessors, be branded as traitors and fall a victim to army officers’ pistols. ITALIAN PESSIMISM ROME, February 27. (Received February 28, at 10 a.m.) The ‘ Popolo cli Roma ’ considers Japan is moving towards a war with the Soviet and possibly against other Powers.

MARTIAL LAW IN FORGE STRICT CENSORSHIP DEGREE TOKIO, February 27. (Received February 28, at 1 p.m.) ■ There have been morning conferences between the 7apanese generals, who discussed the situation. Simultaneously, the civilian authorities, including the remaining members of the Cabinet, conferred. The Emperor received his brother, Prince Chicibu, and also Princes Takamatsu and Nashimoto and other notable people. General Ivashii has issued a proclamation explaining that martial law is necessary for protecting the city against Reds. He urges the populace to assist in maintaining order, and not to listen to rumours. The martial law decree contains most rigid censorship provisions, especially of foreign telegrams, the senders of which are warned that they must be “ careful and accurate.” Mr Machida, the Minister of Commerce, was ordered to take the portfolio of the Minister of Finance.

The Tokio Stock Exchange is expected to be closed until March 2. The banks, however, arc open, and business is proceeding as usual. Osaka cotton dealings are quiet. The Ministry for the Interior staff has returned to work.

FOREIGN EMBASSIES PROTECTED LONDON, February 27. (Received February 28, at 1 p.m.) The Japanese Embassy in London has received the following official communique:—Martial law was proclaimed in Tokio at 2.15 a.m. The military, gendarmerie, and police are operating in . maintaining order. Ample protection lias been afforded the foreign embassies. The Osaka and Kobe districts are not affected. The resignations of Mr Goto and his colleagues were accepted, but they are remaining in office for the time being.

r.EGi;I£!!TS FROM PROVINCES ARRIVE

TOKLO, February 27. (Received February 28, at 1 p.m.) It is understood that the Emperor is seeking Rrinco Saiouji's advice regarding the formation of a Government. Several regiments arrived from the provinces to reinforce the Government troops. The British, Ambassador and other, diplomatic representatives called at the Foreign Office to express their condolences.

EARLIER MESSAGES OBJECT OF THE RISING AIMES AT LEADING MODERATES LONDON, February 27. A rigid Japanese censorship still precludes a reliable estimate of the gravity of the Tokio coup, ft still appears that only one regiment was involved, though Peking messages state that civilians also participated. ‘ The Times ’ says that those responsible for the rising clearly decided that for the fulfilment of their aims it was necessary to put some of the leading moderate politicians out of the way, but it is noteworthy that certain moderates who would naturally be regarded by the conspirators as standing too near the Emperor have been spared, including Prince Saionji, the last traditional Elder Statesman, who is now aged 90, Mr Yuasima, Minister of the Imperial Household, General Kawashima, War Minister, and Mr Matsudaira, Ambassador in London, wlio is at present visiting Tokio. ‘ The Times ’ adds: “ The immediate future of Japan must depend on whether these tried moderates are able to gain the Emperor’s ear. Their ability to do so seems to depend in turn on the balance of forces within the army.” Tlie Tokio correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that persons with access to the fullest information are confident that the army as a whole is not affected.

The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Tokio correspondent says; “ Most of the troops forming the Tokio Garrison, including the Imperial Guard, refused to participate in the coup, which was clearly well planned. The troops had recently been practising night marches before going to Manchukuo, and their appearance in the streets before dawn passed unnoticed. They carried lists of the intended victims in their pockets.”-

REVOLT CAREFULLY REHEARSED FIVE PROMINENT STATESMEN KILLED TOKIO, February 27. (Received February 28, at 1 p.m.) Although Tokio is lying under a mantle of snow and is outwardly calm, the Government buildings and banks are still heavily guarded. Mr Goto’s temporary Cabinet spent the night in quarters in the Imperial Household within the Palace grounds, fearing fresh attempts at assassination. lleports are widespread that the military “ patriots ” still have a number of statesmen and others on their death lists.” In the meanwhile the authorities are continuing negotiations with the assassins, whose soldiers are being supplied with food pending the outcome of the conference. Some foreign observers consider that the extraordinary tenderness which the authorities are apparently' displaying towards the assassins is partly due to the Japanese tradition that murder is justifiable when .committed for patriotic motives. It is now certain that five statesmen perished—Admiral Okada, Baron Saito, Mr Suzuke, General Watanabe, and Mr Takahashi. Mr Takahashi died of wounds shortly after he was attacked. The Emperor sent a personal message of sympathy to Mr Takahashi’s family. Viscountess Saito received hand injuries in defending her husband. Prince Saionji somehow got wind of the plot and took refuge in the house of the Governor of Sluzioka before the soldiers reached his country villa. The whole of yesterday’s proceedings were carefully rehearsed a fortnight ago.

The Tokio correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says: “ The tension was relieved when it was known that loyal troops guarded the palace, to which statesmen were admitted in order to attend the Privy Council, at which the Emperor presided. The revolutionaries had not made preparations to take over the Government. Authoritative circles believe that the army as a whole is not affected, and hunger and discipline will bring the mutineers to their senses.

SPIRIT OF SUPER-PAtRIOTISKI IMPATIENCE WITH MODERATES' POLICY LONDON, February 26. It has been ascertained that the mutineers were fully- equipped in readiness to depart for Manchuria, which facilitated their attempt. The officers issued ball cartridges to troops on the march and ordered them to seize strategic points in the city. Detachments obeyed at the double, with a deadly result. Admiral Okada and Baron Saito were dragged from their beds and shot dead. Count Makino’s house was burned after his escape, the soldiers seizing Ministerial residences, the telephone and telegraph offices, and the police headquarters. 'The Imperial Guard drove them from all positions except the police headquarters, in which the remainder of the mutineers are at bay, it is be-

TOLERANT PUBLIC SECRET SOCIETIES’ TERRORISM LONDON, February 26. The Japanese community in London has been plunged into constex-nation. Japanese bankers, however, anticipate a rapid return to normality, following speedy punishment of the transgressors. The ‘ News-Chronicle ’ fears that, unless Prince Saionji ensures moderation, the younger army officer's may establish a Fascist dictatorship based on a determination that Japan shall ho mistress of Eastern Asia. Tho Shanghai correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says: “ Although the unexpected strength of the radical vote at the elections was unpalatable to the army, more resentment was felt by young officers, owing to the calling of General Nazaki as a witness at the trial of ‘ patriotic ’ Lieutenant-colonel Saburo Aizawa, who shot General Nagata, Director of Military Affairs.” 1 The Times ’ points out that Japan’s secret societies for years have menaced the Government and terrorised and sometimes murdered Ministers. “ This time the Government would seem to have been compelled to take up the challenge of ruthless young officers. The spark causing the explosion was apparently the tidal of Colonel Aizawa, whose murder of General Nagata was the Young Officer Party’s reply to Nagata’s attempts to check military dictation in politics. General Nagata dismissed General Nazaki, and it is significant that General Nazaki’s successor, General Watanabe, is among those murdered. The revolutionaries’ manifesto resembles Colonel Aizawa s pleas of killing General Nagata because he was in league with those frustrating fulfilment of Japanese national life and encouraging vacillation towards China. A disquieting feature is the public’s tolerance of patriotic societies’ terrorism.”