JAPANESE HOAXED

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 November 1932, Page 10

JAPANESE HOAXED

“GENERAL)” GIVES BANQUET.

The most amazing swindle in the criminal history of Japan has been revealed by the arrest of an ex-convict who posed as a Mongolian-“ General. His plan demanded a base of operations in accordance with thq» exalted rank which he claimed, and he decided upon a luxurious mansion in a fasihonable quarter of Tokio. The house agent, however, refused to sell without being assured of the c redentials of z thc would-be purchaser. The crook, whose real name is Tsunozo Maeda, and whose sole means of support were his uniform and a breastful o£ spurious decorations, thereupon invited the agent to a splendid banquet in honour of Colonel Sadohara, recently returned in triumph from Manchuria. General Araki, the Minister of War, Prince “X,” members of the Peerage, and many distinguished Army and Navy guests were also invited, states Reuter .from Tokio.

The banquet was a huge success. At the head of the table sat the “General.” Amid the glittering uniforms was the house agent, awed and gratified by th e environment in which lie found himself.

Speeches were made and toasts were drunk. The “General” paid an eloquent tribute to the brilliant service of the Colonel in Manchuria, and the Colonel spoke of the great work and opportunity which lay before the “General” in Mongolia. Needless to say, the house agent was charmed and flattered that such a brilliant client should buy the mansion, and no mention was made of any deposit in closing the deal. According to the “Kobe Shimbun,” which relates the story, the ex-con-vict was now able to live in style befitting his assumed rank by borrowing large sums from his distinguished friends, until the suspicions of the police were aroused. They found that the Mongolian “General” was a convicted crook with three prison sentences behind him.

AEROPLANES STOLEN

An extraordinary daring trick played by Chinese airmen has cost the Japanese forces in Manchukuo six of tbeir best fighting aeroplanes. The guards at I lie Japanese aerodrome in Mukden (states Reuter from Peking) admitted a number of men carrying pots of paint, who said they had been ordered to paint the sheds. J he “painters” were allowed to enter various hangars—and the sentries forgot about them. Then suddenly from out of the sheds roared six aeroplanes. Straight across the aerodrome the machines rushed, lifted, and disappeared into the clouds. An alarm was at once raised, and Japanese pilots came racing to the sheds, fixing their goggles ami flying helmets, eager to set out in pursuit of the stolen aeroplanes. But all the aircraft loft in the sheds had been damaged and put out of action by the audacious “painters.”