Omaha daily bee., 1921-11-05
Premier of
Japan Slain
ByAssassiin
Hara Fatally Stabbed in
Breast at Railroad Station
In Tokio-Held Office
Since 1918.
Murderer Under Arrest

Toxic, Nov. 4.-(By The Asso-
ciated Prcss.)-Premier Hara was
fatally stabbed in the breast today
at the railroad station jn Toxic. lie
died an hour later.
The assassin, who is 10 years old
and demented, was arrested.
Washington, Nov. 4.-(By The
Associated Prcss.)-Official advices
from Toxic saying Premier Hara
OF Japan had been stabbed fatally
were received at the State depart
mcnt today soon after press dis
patches brought the news OF the
assassination to the United States.
japanese embassy officials and
members OF the japanese delegation
to the armament and far eastern con-
ference received the first news from
The Associated Press and were
greatly depressed.
No Details.
The message to the State depart
ment, which was filed at 9 p. III.
Toxic time, gave no details other
than the premier had been stabbed.
An hour later message from the
Ar nerican, embassy at Toxic an
nouncing the death of the premier
was received. Secretary Hughes was
attending the Friday cabinet meet
ing when the dispatch arrived and
on leaving the White House was told
of the assassination by newspaper
correspondents. He said he was
greatly shocked by the news.
Before the departure of the Jap
anese delegation from Toxic, threat
ening letters had been received by
various members of the cabinet and
Prince Tokugawa himself just before
embarking on the steamer for the
United States, received fantastical-
ly wordcd document threatening hin.
with assassination unless he achieved
results at Washington of benefit to
his country and warning himself
also that he must not be too "for-
cign" in his attitude while in the
United States.
Mr.. Hara was rapidly attaining a
rredoninant position in the political
life OF Japan, so much so that he
was often referred to as the Lloyd
George Of the empire.
He had achieved among other
things, kind of working co-opera-
ton between the military and civic
elements of the government.
At Dramatic Moment.
The assassination of Premier Hara
comes at dramatic moment when
the japanese delegation is assem-
bling for the Washington conference
and when Japan is intensely inter-
ested in the internal issues in which
Premier Hara has until now taken
such An important part. He had
been urged to head the delegation to
Washington and, for time, had the
matter under consideration, but final
ly decided that his services would be
better employed at home during the
discussions at Washington.
Premier Hara frequently addressed
the japanese Diet concerning the Sc
rious work ahead for Japan at Wash
ington and on October E he ex-
pressed the view that Japan's chief
aim would be to put an end to race
barriers. He later conferred with
the American ambassador at Toxic
and the premier soon afterward an
nounced at a meeting of the govern
ment party that Japan was willing to
compromise on the Shantung ques-
ton with China, which had long been
a main subject of controversy.
Premier Hara declared in recent
statements that Japan was ready to
accept limitation OF her naval es-
tablishment along with the rest OF
the world and always keeping in
mind the necessities of her national
defense.
Takashi Hara has been premier of
Japan since 1918 when he formed
cabinet after the fall of the Terauchi
ministry, the Seiyu Kai party OF
which he was leader, taking coi-
troll.
The position of the premier and
his party was confirmed by the ger
eral election in May, 1920, that party
securing great majority.
The premier had long and dis
Turn tn Page Two. Column TwO)