BALL CARTRIDGES

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

BALL CARTRIDGES

USE BY MUTINEERS REVOLT ONLY PARTIAL REST OF ARMY LOYAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Feh. 26 It has been ascertained that the mutineers in Tokio were fully equipped and in readiness to depart for Manchuria, which facilitated their attempt. The officers issued ball cartridges to the troops on the march and ordered them to seize strategic points in the city. Detachments obeyed at the double with deadly results. Admiral Okada and Viscount Saito were dragged from their beds and fatally shot. Count Makino's house was burnt after his escape. The soldiers then seized _tho Ministerial residences, telephone and telegraph offices and police headquarters. The Imperial Guard drove the rebels from all their positions except the police headquarters, in which the remainder of the mutineers were held at bay it is believed with machine-guns. A number surrendered. The death-roll is estimated at less than "100. Loyal marines prevented the capture of the j Ministry of the Navy. The consensus of opinion interprets the assassinations as the outcome of a partial military revolt father than a coup d'etat backed by the whole army. The victims seem to -have been sacrificed to the aggressive impatience of the younger set of Nationalist officers, because they would not advance swiftly along the path of expansion. A fierce Nationalist spirit has led to the formation in recent years of such secret societies as the "Brotherhood of Blood," the " Black Dragons " and the "National Spirit Preservation Society," which was responsible for the death of many politicians whose fervour for Japanese greatness the assassins believed was weakening. The latest murders apparently manifest this spirit of super-patriotism, but they were not directed against the Throne itself. Higher Army and Navy officers are unsympathetic toward the assassins. Admiral-Okada formed his Government on July 8 as a coalition of the main political parties, namely, the industrialists of the Seiyukai and the agriculturists of the Minseito, The action of the troops is believed to have originated with the recent elections, in which the Seiyukai party, which advocated a big Army and Navy, lost heavily. The liberal policies of Admiral Okada and Viscount Saito were most obnoxious to the extremists, who also resented Mr. Takahashi's efforts to reduce the swollen military expenditure. Admiral Suzuki and Count Makino were aiso suspected of lack of patriotism, the soldiers mistrusting the nearness of such counsellors to the Emperor's sacred person. POLITICAL DISUNITY COUP FOLLOWS CLASH MILITARISTS AND MODERATES LONDON, Feb. 2G Although outwardly Japan is quiet, the situation in the country inwardly is confused, and it is impossible to predict developments. The upheaval is described as purely internal and it will be impossible to say until the air is cleared how the revolt may influence Japan's foreign policy, particularly her expansionist activities. The Sun-Herald news service says it learns that the coup was a sequel to a clash between the militarists and the moderates. The former have been primarily responsible for the conquest of Manchuria, the invasion of Northern China, and the attacks in Mongolia, besides the big activities of the Army and Navy. The moderates, including the elder statesmen of the Foreign Office, have been the restraining influence, but the militarists have secured most of their demands. The militarists insisted that Japan should progress in accordance with the original ideas of Japanese culture, being influenced by the West only to the extent of using the Western world's inventions, whereas the moderates sought political changes in consonance with Western evolution. The struggle has not been confined to the Army, but there has been an intense national feeling for four years, culminating in the tension caused by the assassination of Major-General Nagata, Director-General of Military Affairs, last August, and the trial that followed. Then came the general election, in which the swing of the Left did not please the militarists. Yesterday's coup was designed to frighten the people and enable the militarists to obtain greater power. The press censorship continues, but it is understood that the British Embassy's information from Tokio has been despatched to the heads of the Governments of the Dominions. SHANGHAI REPORTS EXTENT OF CASUALTIES BRITISH SUBJECTS SAFE SHANGHAI. Feb. 2f> A report received in Shanghai from Tokio states that 80 people were killed and wounded in the fighting which accompanied the revolt. Tho Emperor spent several hours conferring with leading statesmen. Reliable reports state l that the rebels used machine-guns in the streets. Tokio is at present filled with troops, but all is quiet and there is no danger to British subjects. The Bank of Japan has suspended business. Other reports from Shanghai declare that the entire Army was behind the coup, consequently no action will be taken against the assassins. The aims of the rebels included the abolition of Parliament and the restoration of the feudal rights of the aristocracy. Short-wave broadcasts from Tokio picked up in Manila and elsewhere do not mention tho disorders, but are confined to descriptions of snowstorms sweeping Japan. All markets in Tokio are reported to be closed and steamer sailings cancelled. Foreigners are being detained. Tho Foreign Minister, Mr. Hirota, has sent a message to the Japanese Consul at Manila stating that he is unharmed, and other Foreign Office reports emphasise that the Government has the situation under control.