SATOH’S DEATH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 97, 7 April 1934, Page 7

SATOH’S DEATH

GREAT LOSS TO TENNIS English Players’ Tributes IN TEAM AGAINST HIS WILL (By Telegraph—Press Asen.—Copyright.) (Received 7, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 6. Batch’s death (reported in a Singapore cable printed below) greatly shocked tennis circles. Perry, interviewed, said: “Japan and the game have lost one of the finest players and greatest sportsmen who ever walked onto a court.” Austin said: “He was Japan’s finest player and always gave the impression that he would be the last man on earth to come to such an end. A Kobe message states that Satoh’s •uicide is confirmed. The Hakone Mans captain states that the ship was searched fruitlessly. Batch’s fiancee reveals that Satoh Jokingly threatened to commit suicide In the event of being forced to proceed to Europe. Satoh refused selection. but was finally persuaded against his will, knowing he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

JUMP OVERBOARD FROM SHIP Will Found in Cabin SINGAPORE, April fl. Jiro Satoh, Japanese Davis Cup player, committed suicide by jumping overboard from the steamer Hakone Maru 12 hours after leaving Singapore with the Davis Cup team for Europe. He had landed at Singapore with the intention of returning to Japan, because he was suffering from neurasthenia, but after a medical examination he continued the voyage. He was very depressed. Searches failed to find the body. His will was found in his cabin on the Hakono Maru. It is reported that Ryuki Miki, who •t present is in England, is likely to lead the Japanese team against the Australians. Satoh left a letter of farewell indicating his intention to commit suicide. shattering"bl6w to japan Responsibility Too Great TOKIO, April 6. Japan's Davis Cup hopes received a shattering blow by the tragic death of Satoh. The Japanese Tennis Association re eeived a telegram relating his disappearance from the Hakone Maru on Thursday ei ening. It is presumed that he went overboard while in the Straits of Malacca on the way to Penang, where he was due this afternoon. The news was confirmed by the local agents.

Wheu the Tennis Association received his telegram earlier in the week saying that he wanted to return owing to illness, the association replied persuading him to continue. Apparently he suffered a nervous breakdown on board the ship, but even while he was at home he used to act queerly, sometimes walking in the Tokio streets with a compass. Friends fear that the responsibility of this year’s critical prospects against Australia and Brit win weighed too heavily on his mind. The Ttnnis Association has decided to substitute, Ryuki Miki, now in London, for Satoh, and not to send anyone from Japan. Miki will be playing instead of non-playing captain, as previously arranged.