Evening star., 1945-12-16
Konoye
Continued From First Page.)

friends in America.
Verdict With the Gods.
Public opinion of the world
which is at present full of the over
excitement and passion of war
misunderstanding innocence and
otherwise malicious libels and un-
founded rumors will in time restore
its calmness and balances.
80 Only then just verdict will
be given at the court of Gods"
japanese newspapermen and pho
tographers had swarmed to the en-
trance Of Sugamo prison where
Konoye had until midnight tonight
to report. Shocked when informed
OF his suicide, they made a dash for
his home on Tokyo's outskirts.
The man who was premier the
last time just before Hideki Toto
replaced him, and began the war,
killed himself when he had only a
few hours of freedom left before his
scheduled surrender.
Last night he entertained close
friends and relatives at his modern
residence. He gave no indication
he had any plan other than to give
himself up before midnight.
After discovery of the body, an
American doctor was rushed out by
counter intelligence officers to in
vestigate. The doctor took charge
Of the poison vial.
Others in the household reported
Konoye was normal" when he re-
tired. He had talked late into the
night with his friends and relatives.
The guests included many persons
high in Japan's social and political
life.
Found Light Still Burning.
Among them were the Baron and
Baroness Miyagawa, the wife Of
Marquis Oyama - she is Konoye's
sister-and his brother, Viscount
Hidemaro, who recently returned
from Germany.
Princess Konoye was prompted to
investigate on noting a light still
was burning. The time of his death
was estimated at about S am.
Konoye's secretary, T. Uchiba,
said the body still was slightly warm
when he arrived shortly after $50
am.
"The body looked peaceful with
eyes closed" Uchiba said.
American officers today clamped
a tight guard on the Konoye resi-
dence, restricting correspondents to
the small entrance hall where three
tall American soldiers, in stocking
feet, stood guard.
The family first objected to pic
lures. Later they agreed to dress
the body and permit q photographer
from each service to take pictures.
Prince Konoye was born in Oc-
tober, 1891, the son Of Prince Atsu-
mare Konoye and a princess of
one Of Japan's Oldest families, the
Fujiwara nobility from whom en-
presses are chosen.
Graduated from Tokyo Imperial
University law college in 1917, he
embarked the next year on his po-
litical career by becoming a MEM
Der of Prince Saienji's delegation to
the Paris Peace Conference.
Following service in the House of
Peers, he became Prime Minister
the first time in 1887.
His first term ended in 1899 be-
cause of unremitting pressure by
the Japanese Army. Then, in 1910,
he was brought again to Office main
ly through army pressure.
Konoye on April 8, 1941, In 4
speech opposed all-out union with
Germany and italy and called for I
resurgence of the traditional Jap-i
anese spirit" This did not set well
with the army and Konoye resigned
on July Is, 1941, but formed q new
cabinet two days later which lasted
until October. 194l, when TOTO be-
came Premier, pledging fulf1llment
OF Japanese aspirations in East Asia
without reservation.
Founded Totalitarian Party.
During Konoye's 1937-39 premier
ship wholesale arrests of arltimili-
tarists were made. This was at q
time when Konoye himself was adj
vocating early conclusion Of the
Chinese affair. Later, IN 1910, he
founded the Imperial Rule Assist
ance Association, totalitarian
party, and permitted himself TO-