1936-02-28 — Page 9

BUILDINGS AND BANKS

UNDER GUARD

Ministers Seek Refuge In Palace Grounds

Tokyo, February 27.

The city woke this" morning to find all offela, buldings and banks heavily guarded by khaki clad troops with fixed bayonets who poured into the capital during the night. The banks in Tokyo opened as usual, but the Tokyo, Yokohama stock exchanges are stil elesed.

and

Osaka

Evidence that the Finance Minister, Mr. Takahashi, is stik alive is contained in an official report stating that the Emper- or has sent his chamberlain to enquire into the health of the wounded Minister.

יו

All members of the outgoing Cabinet spent the night in the Imperia House-hold Department in the grounds of the Royal Palace and agreed to remain there till the new government is formed. They conferred at 6 o'clock this morning with members of the Supreme War Council and later the councillors conferred with high officials at the War Office and General Staff in re- gard to measures to cope with the emergency. It is expected that after the ten- slon lasting all through the night in the cold and wintry weather this will have the effect of making the mutineers to repent the action which they had launched. will probably be permitted to re- Lurn to the barracks in the even- 108.- Reuter,

The announcement which was made in Tokyo last evening that Mr. Goto, Minister of the Interior had been ordered to carry on as acting Prinie Minister has had a reassuring effect in London where says the Times" he is known as a statesman who combines modera- tion with fearless strength.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1936.

MORE DETAILS OF MUTINY

TOKYO COUP STORY

Newsboy Gives

Methods Adopted By Rebels

+1

First Alarm

Tokyo, Feb. 27. Further details of the mutiny have been revealed in Shanghal.

The rebels are Not yet entingly cleaned #s

Tokyo, Feb. 27. Wednesday morning dawned dis- mally, with snow whirling" and a bitter wind. A number of young officers of the Army. their badger

It is reported that removed to prevent identification.

Minister, Admirui Okada, drove up to the residence of Gen-roused from hia sicep and shot eral Watanabe. Inspector General down in cold blood when the as- of Military Training, launched a sassing entered his honie. surprise attack,

11

the

MAIN OBJECT ACHIEVED

More Aggressive Policy?

Shangha!, Feb. 27 The emergence of 3. military Fascist Government, devoted to a more aggresive Pan-Asiatic policy. Fries regarded by well-informed au- was thorities here as the likeliest out-

come of events in Tokyo.

the revolt 15 Athough

not spreading throughout the country.

jects of the instigators or

pointed out that the main oh- the

been achieved: coup d'etat has they have removed the moderate elements of the Cabinet and have installed the Fascist. Mr. Fundo Goto, former Home Minister, as

The rebels method appears to A newsboy, delivering his carly have been to call at their victing homes, force an entry and then morning papers, saw the assault.

take their vengeance. This ap He rushed to a telephone, and call-pears in the case of. Dr. Suzuki ed his paper, the "Yomiuri Shim-

leader of the Galyukat party, whom

bun."

the rebels bad'y man-handled.

Shortly after this first alarm was received, the official residence of the Prime Minister was invad- ed by troops. Admiral Okada, the Prime Minister, was killed.

"The alleged leader of the upris- ing. Captain Nanoka, apparently led the raids on the residences of the Lord Privy Seal, the former

Tokyo marines have occupied the 'Navy Ministry and are prepar- ed to repel any attack from the rebels

icting-Prima Minkter.

The movement is undoubtediv

The rebels are holding out at supported by the majority of the of their elders, who has been be- the Metropolitan Police headquar-younger army officers, and many ters, but the Chief of Police, whom

the Foreign Office's "restraint" they wounded, is preparing to re- coming increasingly impatient with capture the bufding.

both with regard to China and Soviet Russia.

.

A party of insurgent officers who

visited They

REBEL AGREEMENT

Tokyo, Feb. 27. The rebels have agreed to return

to their own barracks at 8 am, on February 28.-

Reuter

TAKAHASHI DEAD

Tokyo, Feb. 27.

The Finance Ministry official- ly announces that Mr. Takaha shi, the Finance Minister, who was seriously wounded yesterday morning. died the same Reuter.

11.

day.-

CHINESE ALARM

Shanghal. Feb. 27. Chinese newspapers manifest un-

animous alarm at the events in

Premier, Viscount. Salto, and the Foreign Minister, Baron Takahas hi

The raiders used motor lorries. A strong force drove to the home Two naval squadrons have been of Count Shinken Makino, Lord ordered

to Keeper of the Privy Seal, at a sea to Tokyo and one Osaka. Early this morning it was resort 80 miles from Tokyo, and announced that appropriate arti-set fire to his residence." They es- cles of the martial law code. had caped towards the mountains, been put into operation in the city

The Tokyo garrison commander

Count Makino, former Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. were resisted, but they captured Count Makino's vila beat the nwner and set the place aftre Reuter.

MARTIAL LAW

Tokyo, Feb. 27. After lengthy deliberation the Cabinet, through the Privy Coun-

of Tokyo. A similar measure wasdeclared a state of emergency atou obtained the Imperial sanction taken during the confusion follow- ing the great earthquake.- British Wireless.

ACTING PREMIER RESIGNS

3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

The position seems to have re- mained quiet over-night, though Lieut-General Hori, commanding omcer of the First Division, one regiment of which is mainly res- ponsible for the disorders, 13 re ported to favour strong measures. Marines are guarding the Navy

Tokyo, Feb. 27, Mr. Fumio Coto, the Home, Min-Ministry. ister, who has been acting Prime Minister since yesterday's "coup d'etat," has handed in the resigna- | Hekter. tion of the Cabinet. He is natur- ally included in the list.

Meanwhile, normal business ac- tivity has resumed. the Tokyo

Tokyo which they belleve will re-banks and the Osaka Stock Ex- sult in dominance of Japan's Do change having reopened. licy towards China by the military | freuter. extremists.

The influentia: "Sin Wen Pao" says "the revolt must be regarded as a raging are in a neighbouring house with threatens to Consume our own dwelling." The election victory of the Minselto Party and the succi69 of the Proletarian to be the Party are considered sparks which caused the plosion.- Beuter.

INVASION FEARED

리

NANKING INTEREST IN TOKYO NEWS

Nanking, Feb. 27. The reports of the military coup at Tokyo monopolise the pages o

1

No financial or industrial mag- nates were attacked by the rebels.

COUNT MAKINO ESCAPES

Mutineers Visit Residence

Tokyo, Feb. 27.

ex- all the Chinese newspapers here,

The high military authorities which believe that it is a result

are negotiating with the muttaeers of the expression of the military

to persuade them to return to their extremists in the struggle for pa-

commands. It is indicated that it litical supremacy. They concur is not likely that the authorities that the success of the movement will use force, except as a last re- wil have extreme y serious reper. usslors in the Far East, especially regards Sino-Japanese rela-

Shanghai, Feb. 27. chinese circles here are giving very close attention to "develop- ments in Tokyo in view of the re cent increase in the tendency of the Japanese to extend their ag- gressive activity to South China.

While oficials refrain to make "any comment, yesterday's coup is enerally believed as a success for the military party and merely hasten Japanese invasion of the whole of Chiria.

}

and

sort.

to proclaim martial law in Tokyo 2.30 to-day. The city is now under the control of General Ka- shil

eater.

The

STATESMEN SLAIN

They were particularly incensed at the Finance Ministry's oppos!- tion to the increase in military estimates and its deeper interest 1 a second budgetary position.

The radical military elements are extremely resentful of the At- tempts of the War Office to purge the army of political factions and restore the civil control of tre forces.

i

Tempers were further fanned by the Soviet and Mongolian border Incidents,

Some Chinese and foreign circles regard the revult as ut indication a' the desperation or the Japanes militarists who feel they mus either abdicat or fight a foreign war before the rountry is bank- rupted

Observers nore draw an autogy

Tokyo, Feb. 27.

announces War Ministry that Admira Keisuke Okada, the Prime Minister, Viscount Admira! and General Jotaro Watanabe. between Japan of to-day and Ger- many in 1914. In both instances. Inspector-General

Military Of Training, all were killed instantly it is alleged, the military action by the assassins whe attacked chose a desperate means or main

taining its pIESKILE, them in their homes.

Reuter, Confirmation "-of the reported death of Baron Takahashi,' the Finance Minister, is not yet ob- tainable. though yesterday his wast the first name given as a casualty. The offices of the Tokyo Asahi,

a leading dally paper. zoted for its Liberal tendencies.. was also attacked and damaged by the in- surgents.--- Reuter.

GENERAL SITUATION

UNCHANGED

The general

in Tokyo

POLITICAL UPHEAVAL IN TOKYO

Tragedy Which Horrified The World

London. February 27.

The political upheaval in Tokyo has caused a alarm is felt in many countries that it may be a large scale operations in the Far East.

thrill and prelude to

The Times' says that the tragedy has horrifled the world and shows that political tension in Japan will become far more vital acute than is suspected outside. The journal raises the question whether the control of po'ley is to reman in the hands of the Government or is to be exercised by Irresponsible groups of exaltable young officers.

The "Daily Telegraph" says that the menace of such a fierce and Intolerant spirit of militarism to domestic peace in Japan The army and tranquility in the Far East is only too obvious. chiefs are pursuing one of the most grandiose and most imper- ialist ideals which ever infected the brain of a brave, patriotic, able and warlike race and the consequences will be far-reach- iDr.

The army extremists in Japan are consumed by the, white heat of nationalism, compared to which Nazism in Germany is a yellow candle flame, declares the "Man chester Guardian."

If the rebels succeed. the pros- pects will be black indeed, but if the Government and army moder- ates secure control they may find the outburst strengthened their

hands. .

GERMAN COMMENT ON

TOKYO REVOLT

[Spec al to the "Hong Kong Daily Press (Copyright.)]

Berlin, Feb. 26.

The "Deutsche Allgemeine Zel- tung" points out that in Japan during the last five years, five Pre- miers and ex-Premiers have been assasinated.

"If we call the patriots of these, acts "super-patriots," this by no means indicates a disparagement of their aims, but only underlin- Ing the fact that their patriotle fervour led them to deeds, which according to our ideas ure repro-

The deaths will be a grave loss to the bureaucratic group and with the death of Mr. Takahashi no civilian is left to challenge even the moderates of the army in the demands for greater expenditure:

The test that can be hoped is continuation of the bureaucratic government, supported but not nensible. controlled by moderates of thel army.. deuter.

NEW YORK COMMENT

The paper goes on to say that the young Japanese officers are strongly opposed to the old states- men, who have hitherto led the New York, Fet, 27.

destiny of the country. and their The long struggle for supremacy reelings can perhaps be best ex- between the civil and milltary plained by the passionate speech -powers in Japan have plainly of Colonel Aizawa before the Court come to a head, says the "New which tried him for the murder « York Times," parallel muitarists Japanese militarists of to-day, and adds that Japan cannot go on for ever proudly defying the world. The army cannot offer Japan a hundred per cent. guarantee of

CONCERN FELT victory.

IN AMERICA

A

Tokyo Revolt And Naval Policy

3

which draws between the German

1014 of

and

the

The "Herald Tribune" attacks the Japanese military groups and appeals to the Imperial Court to pronounce, such murderous orgies as cowardly, shameful and patriotic.- Kouter..

of General Nagata."Aizawa stat- ed that he killed the General be- cause the "General had entertained relations with "old statesmen, bureaucrats, capitalists and other elements who had undermined the army's prestige.",

The paper concludes by sincerely regretting the tragic events now' attracting universal attention.- Pranacean News Service.

ROME VIEW OF FAR EAST EVENTS

(Special to the Hong Kong Dally Press (Copyright.)]

The

SENATOR'S VIEWS

Washington, Feb. 27. The importance of the soup Tokyo is minimised by Senator Thomas, a Foreign Elebert D. Washington, Feb. 27.

Rome, Feb. 201 mi who Committee Concern is evident in Govern- Relations

military coup d'etat in Tokyo, Feb. 27.

ment quarters over the develop spent a long period in Japan. He sitization remain's ments in Japan, but comment is believes that a small group of Japan is making a strong impres Dramatic stories of the mutiny, unchanged. Martial law was off-restrained pending clarification of over-ambitious persons trying to slon here, where it is pointed ou Mr. Phillips, Under- rule by terror does not represent that the increasing, influence of by the issue.

the Japanese people and says the Japanese Military Party may Secretary of State, replying to a which occurred in a heavy snow claily proclaimed Most of the papers exPIEST

storm, are coming to light to-day. Imperial edict during the night, Prince Salon apparently sensed but hitherto no action has been question said that he did not there is insufficient background for lead to further complications in think the situation will adversely usurpere to become an immediate East Asia and eventually prejudice threat to the Orient and to the Great Britain's preparedness in mat-trouble and slipped away from his taken to evict the mutineers from

Bffect the London naval con-

the Far East. the Government buildings and re- country residence before the mu-

férence. It is even possible there world-

Transocean News Service tineers arrived. Ten soldiers at sidences, which they occupied as

will be greater willingness on Heuler, tacked Count Makino's residence dawn yesterday. Peace and order

compose naval maintained throughout Japan's part to and were held at bay, single-hand-is being

differences with the United States in co-operation ed, by the bodyguard, who wound-Japan by troops

and with Britain. ed a rebel officer before he was cut with the gendarmerie and police. according to the Ministry of In- down.

terior. 到

ין

az tions. sympathy with the victims.

The official "Central Daily News'

the makes no comment on

ter-

Reuter

SOVIET SEE TROUBLE ABEAD

WAS

Most Chinese papers publish lengthy comments and generally believe that hereafter the Japan

The mutineers entered the Moscow, FED. ZI.

It is reported that Lieutenant- ese military will fearlessly

kouse and were courageously con- openly caary out their continen-1 Soviet quarters are or the opli-

first division, favours drastic ae- tai policy probably selzing North- lon that if the militarists retain fronted by the Countess Makino, General Hori, commander of the mutineers. but tion against the China before long. then South power in Japan the outcome will who said that her husband

Meanwhile Count Makinu

certain other quarters consider in China, and after that invading be renewed aggression in the Far away.

made his escape by a back door,

advisable to attempt a settlement Soviet Russia to assume complete East on the part of the Tokyo Gov-

mutineers ernment. Either that, or internal

negotiation. The It is widely recognized that the by dominance in Asia.

struggles among the different mutiny is not directed against the undoubtedly have the support of

On the contrary. the powerful milltary interests.- parties in the country will result, throne. and in any civil clash the militar-young officers behind the move freuter. fats would be seriously weakened, ment are super-loyalists, animated no matter what the nutcome. by the desire to strengthen the Emperor's prerogatives. They

Shanghai, Feb. 27. hated Admiral Okada's regime on Japanese reports here state that account of ita alleged weakness in the rebel troops internal and external affairs.-- Reuter.

The official "Min Kao Eth Pao" declares that the outrages are the result of a longstanding and bitter a coup has party quarrel. Such long been expected and graver happenings in the future are not Reuter, unlikely.-

meuter.

TOKYO DEATH ROLL

Tokyo, Feb. 27. The death roll in the Tokyo dis-

LONDON ADVICES

Landon, Feb. 27, News of the events in Tokyo following yesterday's coup by junior officers and men of the Japanese army is still fragmen- lng to advices reaching Shanghai from a source which could not con-. is apparently sul farm the news...

Reuter.

tary. The list of those idilled and wounded

from complete.

There a no further information regarding the fate of the Finance Minister, Mr. Takahashi, who was Was at first reported killed but stated in an amended list to be critically injured. Lord 'Chamber- lain Suzuki who was at Orst re- ported to have escaped injury was was later stated to be seriously in- jured.

Those who are known to have been assassinated are Admiral Salto, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, General Watanabe, Director- General of Military Education."

turbances has reached 80, accord-

FLEET ORDERED TO TOKYO BAY

Tokyo, Feb. 27. The Navy Ministry announces that the First Ficet has been or dered to Tokyo Bay and the Bec- ond Fleet to Oyaka Bay.

The vessels will remain there during the present crisis and the men of the fleets will be prepared to land to maintain order. Reuter.

MINISTER INSTALLED IN OFFICE

TROOPS EVACUATING

are evacuating their positions peacefully and that they are not expected to clash with the forces enforcing, martial law- Reuter.

TAKAHASHI'S SON IN NEW YORK

•

Tokyo, Feb. 27.

New York, Feb. 28. The Emperor at 9 ja.m. to-day formally installed the Minister of

Mr. Ruchi Takahashi "received Commerce, Mr. Chuji Machida, in the news of the death of his fa- the concurrent post of Finance ther in Tokyo when seated in his Minister, after which Mr. Machida office in a New York skyscraper. tendered the resignation of the The news came by cable from his Finance Portfolio to the Acting elder brother..

In an interview, Mr. Takahashi Premier, with a view to the re- dignation en bioe of the Cabinet.declined to talk about his father's Prince Ayamaro Konoe, the Right politics. He mere'y said that his 1st President of the House of father admired the Emperor, for Peers, is mentioned for the Pre-whom every Japanese had great

respect. miership...

Reuter,

Reuter.

Some observers consider this is the only good likely to come from! an otherwise deplorable situation.

section wishing to undertate a They maintain that the military more direct policy on the Asiatic mainland may pursue a leas active naval policy and might even be disposed to accept naval com- promises which were impossible so long as Admiral Okada remained in power.- Reuter's Bulletin Service.

P.A.F,

GOODWILL FLIGHT ABANDONED

Shanghai, Feb. 27.

ITALIAN IMPOINTS OF

RUMANIAN OIL »

Bucharest, Feb. 26.

A sensation has been caused by the news that Italian imports of Rumanian oll dropped in Febru

ary.

ů

The decline is due to the fact that when sanctions were imposed, the Rumanian Government decreed tnat all shipments of oll to Italy. must be paid for in gold curgency,

AMERICAN AIR BASE IN PACIFIC

Washington, Feb. 26. A Presidential order transferring the land of St. Thomas island from civil to naval administration, for the establishment of a ̈per- manent, marine aviation base, has been published by the State De- partment.

Naval circles regard the project as important in connection with Fleet manoeuvres in the Caribbean

and Italy is apparently unwilling and the Pacific, as the island is or unable to continue the arrange- | within flying distance of the

ment.

In addition to the reduction in oil, there has also been a decrease

The fight of the Singapore in the export of other commodities R.A.F. planes to Japan has been to Italy abandoned, in view of the present | Reuters Bulletin Service.

No

political situation in Japan. date has been fixed for their return to Singapore.~~ "Keister..

CHINESE AMBASSADOR

TO BERLIN

Berlin, Feb. 27, The first Chinese Ambassador to Germany, Dr. Cheng Tien-fong, credentials has presented bla Chancellor Hitler at the Chan cellery- Renter.

of

AUSTRALIAN AIRMAIL

DUPLICATION'

Panama Canal.

Keuter.

MEMORIAL TO LATE KING

London, Feb. 26. The Prime Minister had an in- formal meeting in his room at the House of Commons this afternoon, Canberra, Feb. 27. for a preliminary discussion" :on Owing to the increase in volume the subject of the most fitting airmails 'ousting passenger form of memorial to his late freight traffic, the Australian Majesty, King George The Fifth. Government has decided to dupli- Those present included the Duke cate the weekly Brisbane-Singa- of York, the Home Secretary, the pore, service and also the allied Leaders of the Opposition Parties, internal service, Mr. Lyons the Lord Mayor of London and

British Wireless. · estimates of a bi-weekly service Lord Wigram

(Other Cables on Page 12)

will cost £40,000 a year. leuter.