The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-05

CONDOLENCEON
DEATH OFHARA
Stabbing Of the japanese
Premier Shocks
Washington.
EFFECT ON ARMS
FARLEY FEARED
Admiral Kato Becomes
Ranking Member of
Tokyo Cabinet.

The assassination of Premier Hara
of Japan cast deep pail Of gloom
over Washington last night. The
possible effect of his death on the
Limitation of aims conference was
a question of deep concern to on
cials of this government as we'll as
to all of the visiting delegates now
here. While general belief was ex-
pressed that no situation will grow
out of the Staying that will interfere
with the plans for the parley. it
was admitted that t might be two
orNthree days before this could def
nitely be determined.
Prince Tokugawa, president OF the
Japanese House of Peers and mem
Der Of the delegation. was of the
opinion that the death of Hara
would have no effect one way or the
other on the japanese delegates.
But even be would not hazard a
guess as to whether Hara's success
sor would be as liberal in his views
as was the dead statesman.
Hughes Calls mt Embassy.
Oficial Washington was greatly
shocked and horrified when the brief
cabled message announcing the as
sass nation was received here. Sec
rotary of State Hughes was in at
tendance on the Cabinet melting. So
soon as he received confirmation Of
the tragedy he proceeded TO the
Japanese Embassy and officially ex-
pressed the deep regret and SYM
patty of this government He told
the Ambassador that President
Harding personally had instructed
him to say that he was profoundly
sorry"
Later the following cablegram
was hurried to American Ambas-
sador Wallace at Tokyo:
please call immed ately on the
min ster of foreign affairsand say
to him that l am profoundly shocked
and distressed to learn Of the Pre-
mier's assassination. The news of
this outrage has caused a feeling
of deep sorrow throughout the
United States. You will say to the
minister. that extend TO him on be-
half OF the President and the gov
ernment, OF the United States ex-
oresions of deep sympathy and con-
dolence." ra5.
Kato is Ranking Member.
Members OF the visiting IdeleFa-
| tions here in attendance on the
conference prelimlnaries and the
members of the Diplomatic Corps
also sent messages of coincidence
to the Japanese Embassy. All echoed
the words Of President Harding ex-
pressing the most profound sorrow.
By a strange coincidence the as
sassination of the Japanese premier
places in the, position OF ranking
member Of the ministry Admiral
Kato, the Japanese Minister Of Ma
rine. who is here as one of. the
delegates to the conference.
However. 1t was considered Ger
tain that he would not be recalled
to Japan. Instead II was believed
that a successor to the slain pre-
peror within a short time.
II was suggested by visiting Japa-
nese correspondents now IN Wash
ington that the new premier likely
would be Viscount Korekiyo Taxa
hashi, who now is minister OF
finance. Takahashi is one of the
leaders Of the Seiyu Kai party WITH
which Hara was identified. He has
been one of the closest associates
of the slain chieftain for many
years.
shared Views Of Premier.
He also was declared to hold po-
litical views very much in accord
with those Of Hara, Should he be
appointed, or someone who identi-
fed with the liberal element in ia
pan. it is likely that the present
policies of the Japanese government
will be continued.
As to the effect on the coming
conference now about to assemble
here, officials most familiar with
the situation pointed out last night
that the tragedy would center in
terest on the various persons here
in Washington representing would.
be nations. For instance, II the
murder of the premier finally turns
out to have been a plot fathered by
Korean independents. II is likely TO
throw a new complication into the
already very dangerous Far Eas-
tern situation. And the murder
also attracted attention to the ne
cessity of increasing the protection
afforded to the visiting dignataries-
Halts Preliminary "ork.
News of the killing had the effect
of halt ng some of the preliminary
work for the coming conference.
1t completely patalyzed the aetivi-
ties Of the Japanese experts who
had commenced the task of assort-
ing the millions of documents Of
every sort they have brought here
to utilize in the discussions in the
conference and it's various commit
tees. Most of the other delegations
also quit work when the news came
and proceeded to express sympathy
with the Japanese.
President Harding last evening
signed most of the commissions of
the members of the American Adj
visory Commission. These commits
sions are unique in that they are the
first of the sort ever to be issued
by the government They set forth
that "reposing special confidence In
the ability of the various members
they are named to advise and CO.
operate" with. the American AM
bassadors to the conference on limI.
tation of ornaments and discussion
Of the problems and policies Of the
r.. To~& .nd the Pacfdc