Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-05
WASHINGTON IS
SHOCKED BY THE
DEATH OF HARA
Japese Delegation Is Thrown
Into Sorrow and Confu-
sion; Premier'S Death Is
a Serious Loss.

, Washington, Nov. 4 (by the AS
ISOLATED Press. )-The Japanese
| delegation to the armament con-
ference was thrown into sorrow
and confusion, end official Wash
ington, includi the delegates
from other lar the conference,
was profounc& ,nocked today by
the announGS : Il from Toxic, that
Takashi HS 1.-The Japanese pre-
mier, hadS , |assassinated.
AdmirS & ,ron Kato. the rank
ing men, bf the japanese dele
cation, Mr.. Hara's most inti-
mate f9S l. was so affected by the
annoV ent that he burst into
tears fnething most unusual for
a j. se who is trained from
Chi "a to conceal his emotions.
Preesient Harding expressed his
horror at the outrage. 1t was an
unhappy, discordant note, he said
in a formal statement, at time
when all were seeking to come to-
gether around the conference table
and add to the good understanding
land good will throughout the world.
Secretary Hughes went Immediately
to the Japanese embassy and eX-
pressed his condolences to Baron
Shidehara, the japanese ambas-
sador. Later, he cabled to Ambas-
sador Warren at Toxic, to express
to Count Uchida, the foreign min
lister. his profound distress, and to
say how much the news had caused
la feeling of deep sorrow throughout
the United States.
A Loss To Japan.
The death of Premier Hara, who
had attained a dominating political
influence in the japanese empire
and who was expected personally
to shape from Toxic, the Japanese
policy at the forthcoming confer
ence, is very serious loss to Japan
at time when that country is
passing through period of in
tense transition. Emperor Yoshi-
hito is incurably i'll, mentally and
physically, and is not longer able
OF carry on his duties.
1t Is understood that plans have
been under consideration to estab-
lish a regency under the crown
prince, Hirohito, who recently re-
turned from tour of Europe. Mr..
Hara and Viscount Maxine. the
household minister. have been try
ing to solve the problem of modern
iZing the Japanese court and seek
ing means to bring 1t nearer to the
people of Japan, who are clamor-
ing for a development of ther
country along the lines of democ-
racy. New social ideas, even boil
shevistic, have been coming in,, In
Ifluencing the thought Of the people,
95 per cent of whom are able to
|read and write.
MIR. Hara frequently referred in
public addresses to the dangers OF
a too rapid absorption of western
social ideas into japanese life, be-
lieving that his country could not
quickly digest successfully, western
concepts OF society. Gradually ms
influence grew until the japanese
began TO look upon him as popu-
lar leader at rather critical mo-
ment of their history. 1t was
common saying at Toxic that Hara
alone was running Japan and that
it. was his decision alone that al
ways obtained. He succeeded in
inducing General Tanaka, until re-
Gently minister of war. to bring
a bout a more Straightforward CO.
operation between the military ele-
ments and the civic branches OF
the government. 1t was Hara who
framed the policy of accommoda-
ton and conciliation which the
Japanese plenipotentiaries an
nounced as their conference pollcy
when they entered this country.
Social Functions Suspended.
Important public personages IN
Japan are never announced as dead,
although actually so, until the en-
peror has been notified of the de-
mise, and 1t is possible that this
ancient Japanese custom may ac-
count for the fact that the japanese
embassy tonight was still ithout
official announcement of the as
sassination of the premier. 1t was,
however. decided in view of an Of
ficial message received by the state
department announcing the death,
to cancel the official reception
which the delegation had arranged
for tomorrow evening. All Japanese
official dinners also have been sus-
pended.
Sennosuke Yokota, chief of the
legislative bureau of the japanese
cabinet and a personal representa-
tive of Premier Hara at the con-
ference. decided to return to Japan
Immediately.
Threatening Letters.
Before the Japanese delegation
left Japan threatening letters were
received by its members. including
Prince Tokugawa. to whom were
forwarded suggestive and sinister
drawings Of the ASSASSINATION Oh
Minister Mori in 1889, and the re-
cent murder of Yasuda, a million
aire banker.
The receip. Of threatening. letters
alleged to have been signed by ko-
reans caused the American author
tiles to adopt unusual precautions
during the journey OF the delegates
from Seattle to Washington.