BOMB OUTRAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 7

BOMB OUTRAGES

SENSATION IN TOKIO PRIME MINISTER FATALLY SHOT ATTACKED BY YOUNG OFFICERS (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) TOlpO, May 15. The city was thrown' into profound excitement when it was learned that simultaneous bomb attacks had been made on five places by small groups of men dressed in naval and military uniforms. Bombs were thrown at tlje Metropolitan Police headquarters, the Prime Minister’s official residence, the headquarters of the Seiyukai Party, and the Bank of Japan. The most serious was at the Prime Minister’s, residence, where Mr Inukai received bounds from which he subsequently died. A man in a naval uniform fired a revolver, hitting the Prime Minister twice in the head, while an accomplice outside threw a bomb. Members of the Minister's household escaped. Eighteen men later surrendered to the gendarmerie. They are suspected to be reservists who are extreme reactionaries. The Mitsubishi Bank was also bombed. None of the explosions was very serious. One policeman is in a critical condition. All public offices are strongly guarded. DELIBERATE NATURE OF THE CRIME SECRET SOCIETY OF OFFICERS. TOKIO, May 16. (Received May 16, at 7 p.m.) The Prime Minister died before midnight in the presence of his family. The Minister of Finance (Baron Takahashi) was invested as Prime Minister in the presence of the Emperor this morning. Three power stations were bombed, but the damage is unimportant. The stations are being heavily guarded by the police. The murder of the Prime Minister was the most deliberate in Japan’s; long history of political assassinations. The official residence was attacked by a group of 25 young naval and military officers. The police were overpowered and an entry was forced. The Prime Minister pleaded with his assailants not to shoot, stating that he would discuss their differences, but he was held by two officers, and at the word of command was shot, two bullets entering his head. The military authorities express surprise at the outrages and promise the severest punishments. The existence is revealed of a secret society of young officers who are' dissatisfied with the form of government anil capitalist influence. They cut off the tips of their little fingers to prove their devotion to their cause. Mr Inukai had been Prime Minister since the resignation of Baron Wakatsuki on December 11. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS UNLIKELY TOKIO, May 16. (Received May 16, at 7.50 p.m.) The resignation of Cabinet is inevitable. A Foreign Office spokesman deprecates fears of serious national developments and considers the action of the reactionaries to he without important numerical support. CABINET RESIGNS ATTITUDE OF MINISTERS. ‘ 1 TOKIO, May 16. (Received May 16, at 0.5 p.m.) After receiving Cabinet’s resignation the Emperor commanded Baron Takahashi to continue in the meantime, but the War and Navy Ministers are holding themselves responsible and insist that they should not remain in office in any Cabinet.