The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-23
 lsHonged In MoniIo
Tiger of Moloyo
 Dies DissroeeFUlly With Peoee Prayer

Manila, Feb. 2s-CUpD-Qen. To. moyuki Yamashlta, once the Tiger of Malaya, died on a floodlight gal. lows before dawn today with a prayer for Emperor Hirohita on his lips,
 Stripped Of his uniform and rank, the Stocky general who bul. lied his way Into Singapore was hanged in disgrace by his con- Querors for atrocities ais armies committed while losing the Philip. pines Co the Americans in the final months Of the war.
 Yamashita walked up the is steps Co the gallows hidden by camouflaged wall at a. m. only a handful of official U. s. Army witnesses watched him swing at the end of rope two minutes later,
 A moment before he died, Yama. shita said blessings for his Egn~ peror and expressed hope that Ja- pan will have peace.
 T will pray for the Emepror's long life and his prosperity for- ever" the General muttered. His round face was stoical.
 Yamashita died in American khaki trousers and shirt. He wore Q green fatigue cap.
 Two others Hanged
 It. Col Seiichi ohta, former commander Of the Kempei-Tai military police) in the Philippines. and Taguma Hieashli, a civilian interpreter convicted of atrocities, were managed a few minutes after Yamashita.
 The execution was carried out in intense secrecy at Los Danos camp near Manila. Newspaper men and photographers were forbidden to ape preach the 4o-square foot enclosure containing the gallows, and the ex- ecution hour was not announced tn advance.
 A wire fence g feet high sur rounded the gallows. and it was covered with a camouflaee netting. A heavy guard patrolled the area.
 YamaShita was brought to the Los BanoS detention center last night. A Japanese priest vas with him during his final hours and accompanied him up the steps to the scaffold.
 Ir0nic Date
 Ironically, the General was hang ed on the first anniversary of the liberation of Allied prisoners of war in Los BanoS Camp by the U. S. 1lth Airborne Division. Thousands Of Allied prisoners had been tor- tured and miStrcated by Yama- shita's soldiers in the camp.
 Death by hanging was the ulti- mate disgrace for YalnaShita. His predecessor in the Philippines, Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma, has beer sentenced to death before a firing Squad-considered a more honor able way for a soldier to die.
 Yamashita, in a statement made l 4S hours before his death, thanked | the Americans for their treatment l during and after his trial by a military tribunal.
 T was carrying out my duty as Japanese high commander in the | Philippines to control my army to l the best of my ability during the | war;" the statement read.
 Thanks Defenders
 Until now I believed that I had | tried to do my best throughout. As | l said in Manila to the supreme | court I have done all within my | capacity. and do not feel ashamed | before God for what have done | when I have to die.
 But if you say to me: You do | not have any ability to command | the Japanese Army, I should say | nothing because that is my nature.
 Nov our war criminal trials are going on in Manila, so wish to be justified under your kindness and the right. I know that all the American officers have used toler- ant and rightful judgement. When I was investigated in the Manila court had good treatment and kindly attitude from your good natured officers who always protec- ted me.
 T shall never forget them foi what they have done for me, even if I die. I do not blame my ex- ecutioner.
 T pray that God will bless them. Please send ny thankful word to the American officers who defended me-"