TOKIO SHOOTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 5

TOKIO SHOOTING

MINISTER INJURED PLOTTING SUGGESTED BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY (Elw. Tel. —United Press Assn.J (Reed. Aug. 15, 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 14. Reports from Tokio state that the Japanese Minister without portfolio, Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma, was shot and wounded at his home at 8 a.m. to-day. The alleged assailant, Haohiko Ishiyama, was arrested on the spot, It is reported that three bullets struck Baron Hiranuma and that he was wounded in the neck and an eye. However, he is said to have pursued the assailant to the gate of the baron’s home, where the assailant was captured by a guard. The police said that Ishiyama visited Baron Hiranuma by appointment and pulled a pistol from a roll of paper on which he pretended that lie wanted Baron Hiranuma to write. The Emperor dispatched the court physician and the Prime Minister. Prince Konoye and other members of the Government visited the patient. Sinister Motives The Tokio correspondent or the New York Times links the attempted assassination with sinister moves during the past 24 hours by the ultra nationalist Black Dragon Society, which is reported to be taking an active part in vital decisions which will steel Japan either to peace or war. The correspondent declares that the Lord Privy Seal, the Marquis Kido, is rapidly rising to power in the political scene. Recently he had audiences with Prince Konoye as well as the Emperor. The Marquis Kido was also at Prince Konoye’s luncheon, with the Foreign Minister, Admiral Toyama, and the head of the Black Dragon Society. This has started numerous speculations. It was no secret that Prince Konoye and his civilian aides and supporters are counted among the moderates who are trying to put the brakes on dangerous experiments by Japan. Cabinet Reorganisations It is interesting to recall, adds the correspondent, that every major enterprise of the Japanese Government in recent years was preceded by a Cabinet reorganisation. On the other hand, it is considered unlikely that the Emperor will let Prince Konoye go, even if Prince Konoye so desired, as shown by his immediate reappointment following the last resignation. In these circumstances the balance of power between the contending forces is being placed more and more in the hands of the Marquis Kido, who has rapidly pushed to the forefront of the political scene. The Black Dragon Society iff credited with destroying every Government of Japan which went contrary to its wishes.