OFFICIAL REPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22355, 28 February 1936, Page 11

OFFICIAL REPORT

THE REBEL OFFICERS ISSUE OF MANIFESTO ALLEGED EVIL INFLUENCES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 2G A laconic communique issued by the Japanese War Office in Tokio states^ At 5 a.m. to-day young officers attacked the residence of Admiral Okada, Prime Minister, who was instantly killed, also the residences of Viscount Makoto Saito, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, and General Watanabe, ex-Inspector-General of Military Education, both of whom were killed. "Mr. Korekiyo Takahashi, Finance Minister, and Admiral Kantaro Suzuki, Grand Chamberlain, were wounded. " Count Maki.no, ex-Keeper of the Privy Seal, who was a delegate to the Versailles Conference, is missing and believed to be wounded. " The young officers rose in revolt and ordered the mobilisation of the 3rd Infantry. They explained in a manifesto that they desired at this grave moment when the nation was menaced at home and abroad to outroot the traitors who were destroying Japan's national structure, including elder statesmen and the senior statesmen's bloc, the financiers' bloc, a certain military .bloc, bureaucrats and politicians. " By destroying these evil influences they hoped to enhance the glory of the national structure and promote the great cause of justice. " The Army in the capital, in view of this incident, has been ordered to maintain extraordinary vigilance." I •Tfee Ist and 2nd Naval Squadrons have been ordered to Tokio and Osaka respectively to maintain order. They will arrive to-morrow. The country generally is quiet, and the authorities claim that the situation is well in hand. A censorship is still rigorously imposed on newspapers and broadcasting. The officers who killed Admiral Okada and General Watanabe, searched for Count Makino, but failed to find him. Then they attacked the homes of Admiral Suzuki and Mr. Takahasti. The despatch of the Fleet to Osaka indicates the possibility of trouble, in Japan's chief industrial and manufacturing area. COUNT'S ESCAPE VALIANT BODYGUARD WIFE'S ACT OF COURAGE (Received February 27. 6.15 p.m.) TOKIO. Feb. 27 A party of 10 soldiers attacked Count Makino's residence, but his bodyguard single-handedly withstood them and seriously injured one officer before he himself was cut down. The assassins then rushed into the house, where they were courageously confronted by the Countess, who told them her husband was absent), thus giving the Count time to escape by a back exit.

Count Shinken Makino, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, was born in October, 1861. He began his career as secretary to the Prime Minister and later was Governor of Fukui-ken and Miyagiken. After a term as Vice-Minister of Education, he was sent as Japanese Minister to Austria and then to Italy. Since his return to Japan Count Makino has held successively the posts of Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, and Foreign Minister. He was a peace delegate at Paris and subsequently Minister of the Imperial Household. He is a Privy Councillor and a member of the House of Peers. CALM RESTORED MARTIAL LAW IN TOKIO NEW MILITARY GOVERNOR LONDON, Feb. 2G The people of Japan—except for its fanatical revolutionaries —stood aghast when the news broke at dawn of the military insurrection which culminated in the assassination of three of its chief statesmen and injury to others in a premeditated attack by MOO troops of the* 3rd Infantry Hegiment of the Ist Division under the leadership of Captains Nonoka and Ando. The capital is under martial law. General Kashii has been appointed military Governor and a censorship has been imposed. Gendarmerie and police arc operating to enforce order after 10,000 troops of the Imperial Guard cornered those groups of revolutionary soldiers who, armed with machine-guns, are still holding out. Police headquarters and the Government may await reinforcements before attempting to 'overcome them. The nation's bewilderment at the suddenness of the stroke was intensified by the resignation with the Cabinet of th<? acting-Premier, Mr. Fumio Goto, whose appointment immediately iollowed the assassination of Admiral Okada. The resignations, however, may merely be formal in order to enable the formation of a new Ministry. It is officially stated 'that calm has been restored and that there have been no disturbances in the provinces. NORMAL BUSINESS SINGAPORE. Feb. 26 A Japanese press report states that, the Emperor has ordered troops to assume responsibility for the safety of life and property in Tokio under emergency regulations. The citizens have been ordered to resume their normal business.