DRAMATIC ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22357, 2 March 1936, Page 9

DRAMATIC ESCAPE

PRIME MINISTER ALIVE BROTHER-IN-LAW SHOT REBELS MISTAKE IDENTITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Mnrch 1. 5.5 p.m.) TOKIO. Feb. 29 A communique which is described asi official contains the amazing news that the Prime Minister, Admiral .Okada, is alive. Apparently the mutineers mistook for Admiral Okada his brother-in-law, Colonel Matsui (retired), who somewhat resembled him, and was riddled with ballets. The Imperial Household confirms the fact that, Admiral Okada is alive and that his brother-in-law was shot. The Prime Minister was actually in his house when the mutineers broke in. He was warned to hide just in time and remained concealed for two days while the mutineers were in occupation of the house. He managed to escape on Friday. Admiral Okada called on the Emperor last night to express his regret for the trouble. The Emperor declined to accept his resignation. A responsible Japanese official explained that after the Prime Minister escaped he did not dare tell even his I relatives for fear of further attempts [on his life. Consequently the family j mourned him as dead. | It is recalled that the Emperor sent j his condolences to Mr. Takahashi's : relatives, but nor.e to those of Admiral i Okada. The significance of this was not ; realised at the time. It is reported that a loyal officer ! warned the Prime Minister, who hid without food or water, cramped for the two days in a tiny steel cupboard in his own office. The rebels repeatedly passed his hiding; place. A further surprise is the news that Admiral Suzuki, who was also reported to have been assassinated, has recovered from his womds. MINISTER OF WAR SELF-BLAME FOR TROUBLE SEVERAL OFFICERS DISMISSED (Received March 1. 7.5 p.m.) TOKIO. March 1 Three Army captains, seven lieutenants and five subalterns have been dismissed for participating in the revolt. A report that 18 officers had committed suicide is not confirmed. General Kawashima, Minister of War, in characteristic Japanese fashion, issued a statement blaming his own inability to control the Army. He ; added: "I expect the Army now to reform and strengthen its unity in order to alleviate His Majesty's concern, regain the people's confidenco and rehabilitate its honour." It is pointed out that such a declaration by an old-tvpe Japanese would have been followed by harakiri, or at least his resignation. . FOREIGN POLICY NO CHANGE IN JAPAN OFFICIAL ASSURANCE TOKIO, Feb. 28 The Foreign Office spokesman stated to-day that there would be no change in Japan's foreign policy. He denied suggestions that; Japan would become firmer against Russia, and added that the assassinations were purely an internal matter and not due to alleged weakness in the Government's foreign policy.