CABLEGRAMS.

Western Star, 8 November 1921, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS.

JAPAN’S PREMIER KILLED

ASSASSINATION ON RAILWAY

STATION

WASHINGTON, November 4

The American Embassy in Tokio lias advised the State department that the Japanese Premier, Mr Hara, was attacked by an assassin at the railway station in the evening. He is reported to be either dead or dying.

ASSASSIN A JAPANESE. WASHING-TON, November 4. The latest dispatches from Tckio state that Mr Hara’s assassin was a Japanese, not a Korean. The authorities suspect a political plot. THE ASSASSIN. TOKIO, November 6. The "Japanese Cabinet has offered its resignation to the Mikado, following tho usual custom on the death or resignation of the Premier. •Nakoa-ka, a Japanese youth of barely 19, was the player'of Mr Hara. He declared that he did it for the wel-. tare of Japan, and he killed Mr Hara be’cause of criticism of him which he read, in a newspaper. Nakoaka maintained a* bold and proud demeanour and' showed: no sign of repentance. He is the type of poor student forced to leave school to earn a living. He is an omnivorous reader, especially of newspapers which are strongly opposed

to the Hara Ministry. Air Hara’s will has been published, it declared that a small plab only bearing his name and! not mentioning his titles or honours should be erected j over hi§ grave. The body will leave Tokio on Monday by special train, and the interment will take place on November 11 at Moxioka, his birthplace.

IRELAND,

LONG CONFERENCE AT DOWNING STREET. THE SITUATION OBSCURE LONDON, November 6. Sir James Craig arrived in London on Saturday unexpectedly. He called at Downing Street and had a lengthy interview with Mr Lloyd George and Mr Chamberlain. After two hours the discussion was adjournel till the afternoon. Shortly after its resumption Sir L. Worthington Evans and Sir Robert Horne were hdrriedly called, the talk lasting for hours. Sir James Craig stated later:" I arranged that if and when Ulster’s interests are reached at the conference all Ulster’s representatives will be asked to attend. In the meantime nothing will be settled behind our backs."

The Sinn Feiners immediately *' ireulated the following reply: “Presumably Sir Janies Craig meant that as the British Government was responsible for the situation created by the Partition Act it will consult himself and his colleagues regarding satisfactory means of rectifying the blunder. The conference will, of- , course, be confined to the accredited representatives of tho British and Irish nations.” It is now understood that Sir James Craig, assuring Mr Lloyd George that ho has the unqualified support of the Ulster has adoptee! au uncompromising attitude towards the suggestions made to him by the premier' and Air Chamberlain. The meetings did not cause a crisis. It is regarded as a curious coincidence that Messrs Collins and Duffy proceeded to Dublin on Friday for the .purpose of interviewing De Valera ami other leaders. This, followed by

yesterday’s, proceedings at Downing Street, caused wild rumours that tho v conference had definitely collapsed. It is not believed in well-informed circles that this is true, though the situation has regained is old strain and obscurity. Mr Lloyd George was due to proceed to Chequers Court _ on Saturday, but he abandoned the visit. Further Cabinet- meetings are being held to-day.