LEAP TO DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 82, 7 April 1934, Page 9

LEAP TO DEATH

DAVIS CUP PLAYER JAPANESE CAPTAIN SUICIDE FROM STEAMER i IBy Telegraph—Prcbs Association—Copyright) Received April 6, 7.30 p.m. .SINGAPORE, April G. I Mr. Jiro Sat oh, Japanese Davis Cup I player, committed suicide by jumping I overboard front the steamer Hakone I Marti 12 hours after leaving Singapore with the Davis Cup for Europe, lie had landed at Singapore with the intention of returning to Japan, as he was suffering front neurasthenia, but after a medical examination he continued the voyage, but was very depressed. A three hours’ search failed to find the body. His will was found in his cabin on the Hakone Marti. i It is reported that Air. Ryuki Miki, pr present in England, is likely to lead (the Japanese team against the Australians. Satoh left a letter of farewell indicating his intention to commit, suicide. Jiro Satoh, captain of the Japanese Davis Cup team, arrived at Singapore with the team on April 4, en route to Europe. It was reported then that he was returning to Japan owing to illhealth, and that Miti, who was in Europe would be captain. The other members of the, team are Nishimura, Yamagishi, and Kujikura. NEWS IN TOKIO JAPANESE HOPES SHATTERED Received April 6. 11.55 p.m. TOKIO, April 6. Japan’s Davis Cup hopes have received a shattering blow by the tragic death of Satoh. The Japanese Tennis Association received a telegram reporting his disappearance from the Hakone Maru on Thursday evening. It was presumed that he went overboard while in the. Straits of Malacca on the way to Penang, where the ship was due this afternoon. The news was confirmed by the, local agents. When the Tennis Association received his telegram earlier in the week saying that he wanted to return owing to illness, the Association re,plied persuading him to continue. Apparently he suffered from a nervous breakdown on shipboard, but even while home he used to act queerly, sometimes walking the Tokio streets with a compass. I Friends fear that the responsibility of this year’s critical prospects against Australia and Britain weighed too heavily on his mind.