SUICIDE OF SATOH

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 86, 7 April 1934, Page 2

SUICIDE OF SATOH

JAPAN’S DAVIS CUP CAPTAIN JUMPED OVERBOARD FROM SHIP By Telegraph—Copyright—Press As. SINGAPORE, April 6. Jiro Satoh, Japanese Davis Cup player, committed'suicide by jumping overboard from the steamer Hakone Maru 12 hours after leaving Singapore with the Davis Cup team for Europe. He had landed at Singapore with the intention of returning to Japan, because he was suffering from neurasthenia, but after a medical examination he continued the voyage. He was very depressed. Searches failed to find the body. His will was found in his cabin on the Hakone Maru.

It is reported that Ryuki Miki, who at present is in England, is likely to lead the Japanese team against the Australians. Satoh left a letter of farewell indicating his intention to commit suicide. A SHATTERING BLOW RESPONSIBILITY TOO GREAT TOKIO, April 6. Japan's Davis Cup hopes received a shattering blow' by the tragic death of Satoh.

The Japanese Tennis Association received a telegram relating his disappearance from the Hakone Maru on Thursday evening. It is presumed that he went overboard while in the Straits of Malacca on the way to Penang, where he was due this aftermoon. 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 replied persuading him to continue. Apparently he suffered a nervous breakdown on board the ship, but even while he was at home he used to act queerly, sometimes walking in the Tokio streets with a compass. Friends fear that the responsibility of this year's critical prospects against Australia and Britain weighed to heavily on his mind. The Tennis Association has decided to substitute Ryuki Miki, now in London, for Satoh, and not to send anyone from Japan. Miki will be playing instead of non-playing captain, as previously arranged.