The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-10-19
MURDERER THINKS
HIMSELF MARTYR
Slayer of Japanese Politician
Kills Himself After Writing
Unusual Letter.
DISCUSSES HIS CRIME
No Personal Grudge, but
Anxious to Sacrifice Self
for Nation, He Says.
DISCUSSES HIS CRIME
Special Cable TO The Tribune.

Special Cable TO The Tribune.
TOXIC, Oct. 1S.-The recent assassi-
nation Of Mr.. Abe, the director Of the
political bureau Of the Japanese foreign
office, is attributed here to the virulent
abuse showered on the government at
all times Of crisis by the local press.
Further details of the murder show
that he had gone to meet Mr.. Ijuin,
late minister at Pekin, at Shirnbashi
station.
On walking back to his house he was
set upon by two ruflians, hidden behind
the garden gate, and while one held
his hands from behind the other
plunged dagger into his stomach, in
hicting mortal wound, from which
morning.
One Of the murderers committed
" seppuku" in time-honored fashion,
while another was arrested on board
steamer, trying to make his escape out
Of the country to Dairen. An accom-
plice surrendered to tho metropolitan
police.
Slayer Leaves Letter.
A remarkable letter was left behind
by Mitsuru Okada, the assassin, who
Chiryo Sumioka, Tsukudo-sho, Uehi-
gone.
The young man had asked Mr. Su
mioka to inform the inspector general
Of police of his whereabouts, and while
Mr.. Sumioka was gone he committed
seppuku,'' sitting upon. a map Of
China six feet square. The missive is
as follows:
-, ! stabbed stabbed Mr.. Abe. dire director Of
commit the murderf
Japanese diplomacy has, now
reached the limit Of weakness. See
what the diplomatic authorities are
doing with regard to the present
Chinese problem.
The government's g policy toward
China at present has been solely
drawn up by MI; Abe. He Is re,
sponsible for the weakness Of
Japanese diplomacy. In the pres.
ent critical time he is behaving
himself as If he did not have the
grave affairs of the state at heart.
Chooses Sacrifice.
Thinking Of the present and flu
ture Of the nation, and being i'm"
pressed with regrets as to its des-
tiny, I have decided to sacrifice
my life for the purpose Of remind
ing the authorities Of the nature
of the spirit Of the nation by as
sassinating the man. The act is
the outcome Of my. sincere wishes
for the welfare Of the state.
With this determination / was
waiting FOR an opportunity to take
action. On the night of September
81 waited his return in front of his
house. Selling him from behind I
stabbed him deep in his abdomen,
and then in the right leg.
At the time he. screamed and
cried, "Oh, hurt" What an un-
manly attitudel Those who have
the nation at heart, especially those
who are in the cabinet, ought to
take the lesson, and train their
minds.
As the result Of the assassination
] had only two courses Of action to
take. Either surrender myself or
commit suicide. The reason that
have taken neither course until
now is because [ wanted to see his
destiny, and also to avoid the in
sulting treatment at the hands Of
the police.
TO Die in Privacy.
I wanted to see the Inspector
general in person, but this could
not be done because Of the surveil-
lance encircIing me like iron chains
I understand Bushido, and, there
fore, hate to commit suicide in the
open air like vagrant.
[ have been seeking g place to
die until now. You are not &C
quainted with me, but have como
to appeal to your chivalry, Please
forgive.
/ have thus killed him. But, per-
sonally, [ entertain no grudge
against him. When I remember his
family 7 cannot stop my tears.
deeply sympathize with the mem
bers of his family. 7 have two yen
in my pocket. This is truly a small
sum. But please send it to the