Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-08
TAX MEASURE PASSED BY
SENATE after 15- HOUR
GRIND BY VOTE SO TO "a
.HARA'S SLAYER ON
DEATH HUNT FOR
SEVERAL MONTHS

Toxic, Nov. 7-By A. P)-The
confession of Ryichi Nakoka, the
assassin of Takashi Hara, the pre-
mier shows that the doing to death
of the premier had long been pre-
meditated. The embargo the state
Office had placed on the details of
the attack on the premier and the
motives for the assassination was
partially lifted today.
Nakoka had been shadowing the
premier since last summer, seeking
a chance to stab him whenever Mr..
Hara left the station. He always
met with. failure, however. owing to
the strict police guard. The most
reliable newspapers of Toxic say
that Nakoka had no accompliCes.
The police have found. according
to the Nichi Nichi that the assassin
had been inspired to commit the
deed through his interest in politics
end association with his superior,
Elioro Hashimoto. the assistant sta
ton master at the Otsuka railway
station. who also has been taken into
custody. Hashimoto, it is alleged,
INDUCED in severe criticism of the
policies of Premier Hara. Referring
in the presence of Nakoka to the
thrilling deeds of the so-called poll
teal martyrs whose names were
sacred in the history of thu Meiji
restoration" HashmotO is declared
to have expressed regret over the
disappearance OF the Samuria and
to have declared that the youths of
today were cowardly and could not
be expected to commit Harakiri.
But I shall be an exception" Ma
koka is said to have exclaimed. Il
shall commit Harakiri." using the
word as pun and meaning the kill.
ing of Premier Hara.
Before many days had passed Ma
koka purchased dagger-nameIy,
declared he had studied the most ef-
fective means of being able to use it.
An extract taken from a notebook
of Nakoka by the police is declared
to read:
september IL wait to see when
my name will be published in prom
inence by all the newspapers"
Then in the NOTEBOOK followed the
addresses of the official and private
residences of the premier.
According to the police, Nakoka
said to them
1T was a great mistake for Hara
to remain in office, disregarding pub
lie opinion. I know it was a great
crime for a young man to assassinate
the premier but | have done it be-
cause l love my country. / intended
to commit suicide on the spot and
am sorry / failed
The police say Nakoka wept as he
told his story
The elder statesmen held a confer
ence at the palace today. the subject
of the premiership occupying their
attention. So far as is known no de-
cisiOn was reached.
The funeral Of Premier Hara was
Of the simplest character. The cere-
mony at the residence was attended
only by personal friends, Mayor Goto
representing the city and the citizens.
The services were conducted by a
Buddhist priest and seven assistants,
after which the funeral cortege pro-
ceeded to the Seiyukai headquarters.
The widow and the closest relatives
and friends of the late minister fol-
lowed Immediately after the body
and We're received at the entrance.
The coffin was placed on an altar.
surrounded by many wreaths, includ-
ing floral offerings from the emperor
and empress and Crown Prince
Hirothito, Field Marshal Yamagata,
Narius Saionji and all the most
prominent embassies and legations.
While the body lay in state, thou
sands passed the bier, among them
imperial representatives, princes,
field marshals and ministers. Tonight
the body was conveyed to a special
train which carried it to Morioka,
where the final ceremony will take
place Nov II.