Evening star., 1946-06-04
|keenan Brands Toto
And Aides 'Assassins'
In Opening Of Trial
By the Assoeiotsd Press

BY the Assoeiotsd Press
TOKYO, June 4.-War-start-
ing Hideki TOTO and Is other
deposed Japanese militarists to-
day were branded "assassins'
who ruled the most treacherous
and perfidious nation" of al
time and who sought to domi.
nate the world.
Chief Prosecutor Joseph B. Kee.
nan made the charges in a 5000.
word opening statement at their wa
crimes trial before a 10-judge inter-
national military tribunal.
Mr.. Keenan, said that ever sine
1904, when Japan sprang surpris'
attack on Russia at Port Arthur
the entire world realized such actor
"is intolerable."
The American prosecutor de.
scribed the defendants as common
felons who deserve and will receive
the punishment for ages meted ou
In every land to murderers, brigands
pirates and plunderers."
Defendants Listen Intently.
He said Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong
and Mukden ARE all part of one
grand pattern, and the vice of it
consisted in the exhibition of utter
contempt for the lives Of blameless
and helpless individuals all over the
world"
TOTO and the other defendants
sitting in the brightly lighted pri-
soners' dock, listened intently
through headphones to a transla.
ton OF Mr.. Keenan's charges.
Mr.. keenan,, noted for flights o1
oratory, delivered the entire $4,000.
word statement in quiet tones. Aftel
he finished, court recessed unit
June 13, to permit defense counse
more time to prepare its case.
He said he would prove Japanese
air attacks on the United State.
and British gunboats Panay ane
Ladybird, were evidence Of wanton
reckless disregard for life and prop.
erty and a demonstration to tn.
Chinese people of the power ane
efficacy of Japanese arms"
He indicated a prosecution plar
to place individual blame when h.
said that during hostilities murdel
was so widespread that it must b,
assumed that orders for the KILN,
came from high circles.
| WouId Reneat AsrreSxion.
He said further:
1T is our contention that tn,
taking of a single life INTENTIONAL,
and without the sanction of Law
constitutes murder"
TOTO and his co-defendants are no
penitent and IF set free they woult
repeat their aggression"
The trials are "a battle of civiliZa
ton to preserve the entire worlt
from destruction"
Deliberate planned efforts o
these individuals" brought about tn,
Pacific war.
The tribunals secretariat an
nounced that the court soon woult
be increased to its full II member
with the arrival of the Hon. Delfil
Jaranilla, the Philippines repre-
sentative.
AS TOTO busily took notes, MI
Keenan, outlined one major premis
of the Allied case: That a war o
aggression is q crime under inter
national law.
For the first time in history" h
added, "a military tribunal sitting
in Nuremberg and this militar,
tribunal for the Far East are be
ing asked by civilized nations B"
to recognize" that aggression Il
and has been" criminal
Two TO Be Tried Later.
The accused men, Mr.. Keenal
continued, ordered and condoned
unlawful slaughter of a million per
sons.
Two additional defendants, noy
Ill, will be tried later. The cour
refused to dismiss charges agains
ailing former Foreign Minister Yo
suke Matsuoka and Shumei Okawa
Mr.. keenan, said the prisoner
have taken the view that there l
no court with authority to try them
but:
I'VE shall contend that 1t neve
was compatible with justice or lay
to initiate murders. We shall con
tend that it Is no less an offens
Ito plan and initiate destruction o
lives Of a million people than t
Initiate murder of single individ
Iual.
I'VE shall further contend tina
taking oath to support the laws o
a nation Japan) does not Great
immunity from punishment