South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-05
U. S. CAPITAL SHOCKED.

WASHINGTON,>N Nov. 4.-The Jap
anese delegation TO the armament
conference was thrown into sorrow
and confusion, and official Wash
ington. including the delegates from
lands to the conference, was pro
foundly shocked Friday by the an
nouncement from Toxic that Ia
kashi Hara, the Japanese premier
had been assassinated.
Admiral Baron Kato, the ranking
member Of the Japanese delegation
and Mr. Hara's most intimate friend
was so affected by the announce
ment that he burst into tears-some-
thing unusual for a Japanese who IS
trained from childhood TO conceal
his emotions.
Harding Expresses Horror.
Pres't Harding expressed bis hOr-
ror at the Outrage. IT was an I'M
happy, discordant note. he said in
formal statement. at a time wher
all were seeking to come together
around the conference table and add
to the good understanding and good
will throughout the world. SeC'y
Hughes went Immediately TO the
Japanese embassy and expressed his
condolences to Baron Shidehara, tho
japanese ambassador. Later he ca
bled to Ambassador Warren at To
kio to express to Count Uchida, the
foreign minister, his profound dis
tress and To say how much the news
had caused a feeling of deep sor
row throughout the United States
Vital Loss TO japan.
! The death of Premier Hara, VIII,
had attained a dominating politica
I influence IN the Japanese empire anC
who was expected personally t
shape from Toxic the japanese pol
/ icy at the forthcoming conference
/ is very serious loss to Japan at Z
time when that country is passing
through a period of intense transi
/ ton. The Emperor Yoshihito is in
curably i'll, mentally and physically
and is no longer able to carry OF
his duties.
1t is understood plans have beer
under consideration to establish {
regency under the crown prince, Hi
rohiti, who recently returned from
a tour of Europe. Mr.. Hara and
/ NiscOunt Maxine, the household min
lister, have been trying to solve the
problem of undermining the Japa
nese court and seeking means e
bring it nearer TO the people Of
/ Japan, who are clamoring for a de
velopment of their country along tn,
lines of democracy. New social ideals
even bolshevistic, have been infiu
encing the thought of the people
1 50 per cent of whom are able L
read and write.
Influence Was Strong.
Mr.. Hara frequently referred il
J public addresses to the dangers o.
a too rapid absorption Of western so
cial ideals in japanese life. beIiev
/ ing his country could not quickly
/ digest successfully western concept.
( of society. Gradually his iniuenc,
grew until the Japanese began e
look upon him as a popular leader
at a rather critical moment OF theil
history. IT was a common saying a
Toxic that Hara alone was running
Japan and that it was his decision
alone that always obtained. He sue
/ Ceeded in inducing Gen. Tanaka, un
/ til recently minister of war, 10 brinl
about more straightforward coop
Grafton between the military ele
ments and the civic branches of tn,
government. II was Hara VIII,
framed the policy of accommodation
and cancellation which the Japanes,
plenipotentiaries announced as thei
! conference policy when they enter
ed this country
Ancient Jap Custom.
Important public personages il
/ Japan are never announced as dead
although actually so, until the EN-
perOr has been notified of the de
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