The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, February 26, 1936, Page 1

TABLISHED 18738 THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1936 Snow and colder with strong win night; Thursday cloudy and cold. The Weather ds to- PRICE FIVE CENTS 80 Die As Army Seizes Japan Two Conventions Loom As Nonpartisans Spli WARRACES WITHIN [President Vetoes Big Seed Loan Bill RANKS AT COUNTY MEETINGS TUESDAY Rival Delegations From 10 Cer- tain; Three Others in Open Wrangle TWO SETS FROM BURLEIGH Battle Rages Most Fiercely in Larger Counties of States, Check-Up Shows Fargo, N. D., Feb. 26.—(7)—A new recapitulation of the results of Non- partisan county conventions held Tuesday made it practically certain that the William Langer forces will control the “regular” league conven- tion meeting in Bismarck March 3. As returns from McLean and Dunn counties were added to those earlier reported, the delegates were listed as follows: Instructed, or known to favor Contested Uninstructed, and views un certain . In addition to these, the five mem- bers of the League's executive com- mittee have a voice in the convention and it is probable that four of them are for Langer, bringing his minimum to Tl. 166 Delegates Listed The state convention has 166 dele- gates, with 84 necessary to control. Political observers declared they ex- pected to see the Welford forces re- fuse to participate in the state con- vention, carrying their fight directly into the June primary with another ticket created out of another conven- tion. Few battles developed at the county Billy Falconer Is 77 Years Old Today ‘W. A. (Billy) Falconer, 202 Ave. E., is TT years old today. Will Issue Executive Order to Meet Any Need for Monies to Plant Crops And almost 62 of his three score and} Washington, Feb. 26.—(?)—Presi- 17 years have been spent in Bismarck. |dent Roosevelt Wednesday vetoed the Today he has the distinction of be- ing Bismarck’s “first citizen,” the male resident who has lived here longer than any other. Happy birthday, Billy! For the benefit of his friends his telephone number is 282-J. HAGOOD'S REMOVAL MAY BE PROBED BY MILITARY COURTS Ousted General's Friends Talk of Taking Matter Direct to White House Washington, Feb. 26.—(7)—The an- gty dispute over Maj. Gen. Johnson Hagood, who was removed from ac- tive command after criticizing New Deal work relief, led Wednesday to a call for an investigation and a move to place the issue before President Roosevelt. warning army officers to keep out of congressional friends of Hagood that a military court of inquiry be set up to delve into the whole incident. Representative Blanton (Dem., Tex.), who has praised Hagood and suggested the impeachment of Secre- tary Dern and others, prepared to lead a delegation to the White House to protest the order sending. Hagood. hare|home from Ris command at Fort delegates will go to Bismarck include Cass, Grand Forks, Mc- Kenzie, Burleigh, Barnes, Steele, Mc- Intosh, Walsh and Emmons, This list’ also may include Ransom, Williams and Bowman. Stutsman Battle Is Close Perhaps the closest struggle was that in Stutsman county, with W. J. (Pat) Flannigan leading the Welford forces to victory by a single vote, 41 County results follow: Cass—Precinct committeemen split in two conventions, selecting two slates of delegates, one to endorse Langer, the other Welford. ‘The split came when the so-called group rejected a labor dele- lorsed by the Fargo Trades Asseml City; H. J. Bus of Casselton and Arthur Kun- Palmer Levin, Damielski, Minto; and Gust Weberg, Fairdale. The vote was about two to one for the Langer group. Welford forces named Herbert Stewart, Dray- ton; Carl Rinde, Hoople; and Gene Beaudry, Grafton, as delegates. Resolutions endorsed the North Da- kota delegation in congress, commend- ed stand for world peace and urged sales tax be made 100 per cent replace- ment. Also asked that the million dollars taken from hail insurance fund for schools be returned. Joseph Marchart, Lankin, endorsed for senator from third district; M. T. Brockett, and Levin for Sdm Houstan, Tex., to “await orders.” Policy saying “you can pass it around but you cannot get anything out of it.” In another sector, it was indicated the war department would launch an immediate inquiry as a result of criti- cism hurled by Senator Robinson (Dem., Ark.) against Major Gen. C. Bolles, commander of the 7th corps area at Omaha. “Bolles Assailed Tangling with Senator Hastings son had said Bolles was “actively en- gaged in politics, with a candidate for president.” Quick denial.came from Bolles. Representative Faddis said: “This government was founded on the idea that the military power should be subordinated to the civil authority but we always have had to restrain army and navy officers from trying to appoint themselves as am- bassadors at large.” PARDON BOARD WILL RESCIND BERENSON'S SENTENCE SLASHING Application Will Be Kept on File, Sathre Said, and May Be Acted on Atty. Gen. P. O. Sathre announced Wednesday the state pardon board would rescind its recent action grant- ing & parole effective April 1 to Arthur A. Berenson, Fargo liquor law violator. Sathre made the announcement after the board received notice Tues- day from States Attorney A. R. Ber- gesen of Cass county who protested the parole, claiming he had not been notified of the meeting, and that the commutation was therefore illegal. Berenson’s application will be kept jon file, however, Sathre said, and con- ternates. Endorsed Walter W. Treffry, New Rockford, for re-e! to house. Cavalier—Five delegates and two alternates instructed for Langer. Delegates are E. L. Haave, Langdon; William Crockett, Wales, speaker of house; Senator Ed Greene, o Harvey Brusseau, Walhalla, state rep- resentative, and Joe Jacobson, Ne- koma. Alternates are Arthur Moore, Delegat 3 H. Erhardt, Cavalier; Hjalmarson, and Admial Geiger, Hamilton. Con- vention voted to “pass the hat” to raise funds to pay delegates’ expenses. Grant — Voting instructions for Langer. Leaguers named as delegates, (Continued on Page Two) sidered probably next month by the board after Bergesen and District Judge M. J. Englert, who presided at Bere n’s trial, have been duly noti- “On checking the records, we find inadvertance imprisonment in the state peniten- tiary for a liquor law violation, wii) be released next June unless granted &@ commutation. GOING TO HAWAII Dickinson, N. D., Feb. 26.—John J. $50,000,000 seed loan bill. The measure was returned to the ‘senate with the reminder by the presi- dent that in approving the $40,000,000 seed and feed loan bill in 1934 “I did crop loan system, which on a large scale as “I am_ convinced,” Mr. Roosevelt said in his veto message, “that the immediate and actual needs to which I have referred can be met during the year 1936 by an expenditure of funds ‘materially less than that proposed in the bill under discussion. “Furthermore, these needs can be met, without the necessity of enacting authorizing legislation, through an allocation of funds by me from the appropriation provided in the emer- gency relief appropriation act for 1935, which appropriation, I am in- formally advised by the Comptroller general of the United States, can be utilised for such loans as I might in- dicate by executive order to be desir- able and necessary as relief measures.” The vetoed measure would have authorized seed and feed loans up to $500 per farmer on 1936 crops, the government taking a first lien on the output, REPORT HAUK MAY BE SUPERSEDED IN PERJURY -FLAREUP Wilentz Alone Has Power to Take Prosecutor's Post in Such Action ‘Trenton, N. J., Feb. 26.—()—Prose- cutor Anthony M. Hauck, Jr., of Hun- terdon county, one of the men who helped convict Bruno Richard Haupt- Kerere Wednesday ae repel ight be superseded e not bring a perjury action against Millard Whited, state witness at the Flem- ington trial. Hauck was expected to confer with Attorney General David T. Wilentz, chief of prosecution, who returned from Florida Tuesday night. Col. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, sup- erintendent of the state police, also was expected to attend the conference. After the session, it was expected, Wilentz would make a formal state- ment answering Gov. Harold G. Hoff- man’s charges that Whited lied, that Amandus Hochmuth, another identi- fication witness gave testimony which would bear closer study, and that the prosecution officials have suppressed important information in the case. ©. Lioyd Fisher, counsel for the convicted kidnap-slayer, Tuesday de- manded the prosecutor act against Whited “as you did in the Heier case,” referring to the perjury indictment returned against Benjamin Helier, de- fense witness at the trial. Only one man, however, the attor- ney general, has the power to super- sede the prosecutor in a criminal case, and it was not regarded as likely that Wilentz would replace Hauck unless caused to do so by the governor. Wilentz, on his return to New Jer- sey, said he would not permit “per- secution” of any state witness, and reiterated his opinion nothing has de- veloped to warrant a second reprieve for the convicted Lindbergh baby killer, under sentence to die the week of March 30. MINNEAPOLIS IS IN THROES OF REFORM Grand Jury Indicts Policemen; Politics Scored; Judge Flays Radicals Minneapolis, Feb. 26.—(?)—Better government week in Minneapolis Wednesday entered its third day, with grand jury indictment of two police captains, a demand law en- forcement be taken out of politics and ": criticism of city and Mam Forby were named by the jury Forby appeared cour’ pleaded innocent, but Brunskill, ill, placed under arrest. better government committee made the sunersiion 8 PRS hie partment be separat from pol Federal Judge Gunnar H. Nordbye, speaking to the Kiwanis club, de- clared: “There is something wrong with men’s heads if they entertain the visionary belief that to remake this complicated machine of ours we was A | should destroy it into 1,000 pieces and (Continued on Page Two) MAYOR ACCUSED OF DODGING HIS DUTY INSTRUTWEAR ROW Latimer Demands That County Maintain Order at Strike- Ridden Plant MAY ASK OLSON FOR HELP Minneapolis Factory Officials Deny Resuming Opera- tions Immediately Minneapolis, Feb. 26,—()—Sheriff John Wall Wednesday accused Mayor ‘Thomas Latimer of “passing the buck” when the latter solicited aid of the Hennepin: county sheriff's office in maintaining order at the strike-rid- den Strutwear Knitting company plant. Latimer’s demand that the county law enforcement agency assume re- sponsibility at the plant site came several hours before a handful of strikers picketed the plant, guarded by more than a score of city police- men, Sheriff Wall said he is not taking charge yet but that he would do so and, if necessary, call on Gov. Floyd B. Olson for assistance provided co- operation between the police depart- ment and sheriff's office cannot con- trol the situation, ‘Dodging Responsibility’ “The whole thing,” said Sheriff Wall, referring to the mayor's de- mand, “is just passing the buck, dodg- ing responsibility and an attempt to lay the whole matter in someone else’s lap.” Pickets assembled at the plant Wed- nesday morning after hearing reports company officials would attempt to resume operations by smuggling work- ers inside the building. About 10 men were escorted inside at 4 a. m., withe out mishap. There was no disorder. Mayor Latimer, Governor Olson and Adjutant General E. A. Walsh, were named in a court sult this week inewhich the company sued the three for $101,500 damages, resulting, the firm contended, from being forced to remain shut down. National guard troops, on order of Governor Olson after Mayor Latimer requested aid, were used to maintain order at the site until a federal court ruling held the action illegal. Attorney General H. H. Peterson will represent the three public offi- cials when the suit comes to trial March 5. Mayor Has Reply Mayor Latimer also issued a state- ment in regard to the damage suit, charging the Strutwear controversy continues because “certain small groups are bitterly opposed to con- ciliation, mediation or arbitration, are willing to go to any extreme to justify themselves and apparently think the Strutwear situation gives them their Jast opportunity to emphasize the archaic methods of settling industrial disputes.” Meanwhile a spokesman for the Strutwear company denied they have any plans for the immediate reopen- ing of the plant. A small crew of men has been at work inside the factory for several weeks. As yet there is no plan for a general reemployment of workers, it was said. ‘The company may not attempt the resumption of operations until after @ hearing of its injunction suit which has been set for March 5 in Hennepin county district court. The suit asks an injunction against the mayor, chief of police, sheriff and union officials to prevent picketing and disturbances at the plant. DR. TOWNE SERVICES SET FOR THURSDAY Funeral Will Be Held in St. George’s Episcopal Church at 2 P. M. Funeral services for Dr. R. 8. Towne, Bismarck dentist killed in an accident at Jamestown Monday night. will be held in St. George’s Episcopal church at 2 p. m., Thursday. Interment will be made in St. Mary’s cemetery in the Williams family plot Before her marriage Mrs, Towne was Miss Alice Jenny Williams, daughter of Gen. and Mrs. E, A. Williams, Bis- marck pioneers. Rev. N. E. Ellsworth will have charge of the services. Active pallbearers will be 8. W. Cor- win, R. P. Wallis, George Bird. George Will, Worth Lumry and B. O. Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be Chie! Justice John Burke of the state su- preme court, C. F. Dullam, F. L. Conk- lin, O. N. Dunham, Capt. I. P. Baker. J. E. Davis, Dr. N. O. Ramstad, J. C. Oberg and L. K. Thompson, all of Bismarck; Dr. P. J. Artz, Jamestown. Dr. 'R. E. Percy, Mandan, and W. W Puller, Fargo. i An atopsy performed at Jamestown revealed Dr. Towne suffered @ rup- tured liver when he was crushed by an express truck and that this was the approximate cause of his death within an hour after the accident. G. N. SHOWS PROFIT St. Paul, Feb. 26.—(#)—The Great Northern Railway Wednesday report- ed net income for January, 1936, of $90,206, compared to a deficit of $364,- 159 bed January, 1935. GONFEREES REACH QUICK AGREEMENT ON FARM MEASURE Substitute for Dead AAA Must Again Pass Muster in House and Senate READY TO START PROGRAM Farmers Will Be Called to Dis- cuss Subsidy Rates Prob- ably Next Week Washington, Feb. 26. — (#) — The swift pace of congressional action on the administration’s $500,000,000 farm bill was halted briefly Wednesday as President Roosevelt in a veto message hinted of tax demands soon to come. House leaders delayed calling of the soil conservation-subsidy bill, pending printing of the conference agreement Teached so speedily with the senate on the final form of the substitute AAA. It was expected to receive final house approval Thursday and then be sped to the senate on its way to the White House. Mr. Roosevelt vetoed a $50,000,000 seed loan bill, saying he could make provision for 1936 farmer needs out of work relief funds and pointedly quoted his budget message warning that “additional taxes be provided” to cover expenses not in the budget. Cost Is Limited ‘The death of AAA processing taxes apparently put the new farm bill in that category. Its cost is limited to $500,000,000 annually. Experts have been busy working on revenue plans. Senator Smith (Dem.-8.C.), author of the seed loan bill, said he would demand a vote to override the presi- dent’s veto. The house continued general debate on the $161,000,000,000 agriculture ap- propriation bill. The farm credit administration, through Gov. William I, Myers, re- ported to congress: Farm Loans Increase “It ts estimated that-during the first 10 months of 1935, individuals, banks, insurance companies and other pri- vate lenders made nearly $70,000,000 of farm mortgage loans, an increase of 27 per cent from the $370,000,000 loaned during the same period of 1934.” Already Secretary Wallace and AAA Administrator Chester C. Davis were preparing to start the program. Farmers are expected to be called regional meetings next week to dis- cuss subsidy rates. Senate and house had passed the bill in somewhat different form, but conferees from the two chambers re- quired only one session to iron out differences. The result, made public Tuesday night, leaned largely toward the original house version. To Subsidize Farmers Briefly, the “soil conservation and domestic allotment act” provides for subsidies to farmers, not exceeding $500,000,000 a year, for taking land out of commercial crops and devoting it to soil-building growths or other “economic” purposes. The secretary of agriculture thus is given wide powers to control production. Before Dec. 31, 1937, the government. would pay the grants direct to farm- ers, or indirectly through cooperating states. After that date, payments would be made only in cooperating states. The grants would then be given, not only for soil conservation, but on the basis of stabilization of agricultural supplies and maintenance of farm purchasing power. ‘The conferees’ session resulted in: 1, Acceptance of a house provision requiring the government to re-estab- lish as fast as possible the pre-war parity between the purchasing power of farm and non-farm net income without discouraging production be- low normal domestic consumption for 1920-29. | Tenants to Participate 2, Acceptance with modification of the house amendment to permit ten- ants and share croppers to participate in benefits. 3. Approval of a clause saying the government, in making allotments, shall gonsider dairy lands along with other farm lands. Senator Smith (Dem., 8. C.) said this was to allay fears dairy cattlemen would not bene- fit. 4. Acceptance of house amend- ments directing the government to “protect the interests of small produc- ers.” 5. Acceptance of a house amend- ment to make $2,000,000 available from unexpended relief funds for wind erosion control. Eight Seek Bismarck Postmaster’s Office Eight applications to take examina- tions for the office of postmaster at Bismarck were received by the civil service commission at Washington Tuesday, deadline for filing the ap- plications. Applicants were Chris Bertsch, J. Byrne, J. B. Belk, R. B. Murphy, J. F. Fortenberry, W. J. Maddock, Ludvig Quanrud and L. J. Wehe. Principals in Japanese Revolution Emperor Hirohito of Japan (upper left) commissioned Mineo Osumi (upper right) to form-a new cabinet to direct Japanese affairs after Premier Okada (lower left) and Former Premier Saito (lower right) were assassinated in a swift coup ofthe radical elements in the military forces of the empire in seizing government control. Osumi’s refusal led to appointment of Fumeo Goto to create the ministry. Snow Storm. Ties Up Trafficin N. D. Precipitation Goes Above Nor- mal; Blizzards Reported at Other Points All North Dakota highways with the exception of those in the extreme western section of the state were blocked Wednesday as stinging winds whipped the new fallen snow into huge drifts, The state highway department re- ported all roads blocked except for those in the western portions of the Williston and Dickinson divisions, where roads were heavy but still passable. Bismarck ‘and Jamestown were re- ported to be the hardest hit by the snow storm which precipitated .15 CLOSE GRADE SCHOOLS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON The grade schools in Bismarck’s public school system were closed ‘Wednesday afternoon by order of the board of education because of the heavy drifts and difficulty which might have been experienc- ed by children in getting back to school after the lunch hour, An- nouncement will be made on the radio Thursday morning as to their resumption. . St. Mary's par- ochial school was not closed. inches of moisture or two and one half inches of snow here during the night bringing the precipitation since Jan. 1 to .07 inches above normal. Soo Trains Cancelled There were no trains. running in or out of Bismarck on the Soo Line; passenger trains on the Northern Pa- cific were between three and four hours late; and the westbound plane of the Northwest Airways, which or- iginated here, was the only plane to leave or arrive at the local airport during the day. Flood threats in midwest sections of the United States were lessened with the return of lower temperatures but two additional deaths of young! children by drowning were reported. Many central North Dakota and southwestern Minnesota communities were again threatened with isolation as the train service came to a halt on the branch lines and roads were blocked over wide areas. Albert Lea and Marshall, both in Minnesota, re- ported eight and seven inches of snow, respectively. Forecast Snow, Colder Temperatures moderated generally with the federal weather bureau sta- tion here reporting a minimum of 1 below zero during the night but the forecast was for probably snow and colder with strong winds tonight; D.| Thursday partly cloudy and contin- ued cold. At Jamestown a blizzard was rag- ing and the thermometer dropped to No date for the examinations has/4 below. Williston with -12 and Minot been set. Walter Sather, soon. TO EXAMINE RANGES Incumbent postmaster is whose term expires with -9 were the coldest points in the state. From Dr. Andrew Boss, University of Minnesota crop expert, came re- ports that agricultural conditions in Had No Pajamas To Sleep in Jail iE Conway, 8. C., Feb. 26—(P)— Tt may have been a valid excuse, but Mayor Carl L. Busbee couldn’t see it the friend's way. The friend of a man arrested for drunkenness telephoned the mayor late at night to seek the arrested man’s release. “He can’t stay in jail tonight. He hasn’t any pajamas,” argued OPPOSING FACTIONS SEND DELEGATES T0 STATE NP. NEETING Burleigh Leaguers Name Sep- arate Slates, Including Legislative Candidates Rival delegations to the Nonpartisan state convention and opposing slates of candidates for legislative seats were endorsed by two different conventions held by Burleigh county Nonpartisans Tuesday. One meeting was held in the senate chamber at the state capitol building and resulted in the selection of H. E. Paul and Russell A. Young, Bismarck; Martin Strand and Julius Olson, Re- gan; and Earl Mowder, Canfield as delegates to the state convention. ‘Support of all incumbent state offi- cers was voted “unless they accept other party or outside endorsement. Endorsed for legislative posts were Milton Rue, Bismarck, for state sen- ator; Jacob Swanson, rural Bismarck; Earl Mowder, Regan, and Jack Mac- Lachlan, Bismarck, for the house of representatives. The second group met in the court- house and named Mrs. D. D. Barkman, Driscoll, Fred Argast, Moffit; C. L. Johnson, Regan, and 8. 8. McDonald and Pence Berwman, Bismarck, as delegates. William Falconer, Lincoln township, was endorsed for the state senaie. Endorsed for the house were A. G. Jordan, Driscoll; C. L. Johnson, Re- gan, and Mike Glauser, living east of Bismarck. Funeral Services Set For Andrew L. Arndt Dickinson, N. D., Feb. 26.—(?)—Fu- neral services will be held here at 2 p.m. Thursday for Andrew L. ‘Arndt, 63, resident 20 miles southeast of here who died Sunday. Arndt was born at New Ulm, Minn., and in 1906 came to western North Dakota. Surviving are the widow Washington, Feb. 26.—(7}—The Re-|the Northwest—blanketed under snow |and two daughters, Mrs. Fred Klein settlement Administration Wednesday|ranging from one to three feet in|of Dickinson and Mrs. Paul Wiegand announced an investigation of live- depth are “excellent at present.” of Waubun, Minn., a brother and two stock conditions in Carter and Pow-| “There should be s great absorption | sisters, Mrs. Fred Wendt and Mrs. der River counties, Montana, where @ blizzard has raged for 30 days, of the present moisture,” (Continued on rae Two) said Dr. Louis Shleusner, both of Mahnomen, Minn. {| ASSASSIATIONS OF THREE MINISTERS IN CABINET REPORTED Emperor Orders Fumio Goto to Create New Ministry Af- ter Swift Coup ‘ELDER STATESMEN’ SLAIN Premier Okada, Viscount Saito and Korekiyo Takahashi Shot Down in Tokyo Los Angeles, Feb. 26.—(?)—The Los Angeles Japanese Daily News received a dispatch from its Tokyo correspondent saying Fi- nance Minister Takahashi and talon K. Suzuki died of wounds inflic' by a group of you militarists, Z Mics London, Feb. 26. — (7) — The Japanese embassy stated that the newly-appointed acting premier of Japan, Fumio Goto, and all his cabinet had tendered their resig- nations to the emperor. The communique also said martial law would be promulgated for Tokyo. London, Feb. 28. — (?) — Dis- ertieted CG ae British news agencies 3,000 Jay soldier-rebels were holding the Tokyo metropolitan police head- quarters against government troops. - (Copyright, 1936, Associated Press) Tokyo, Feb. 27.—(Thursday)—()— Three of Japan's most distinguished leaders were assassinated in a snow- storm before dawn Wednesday by young army officers who said they wished “to remove corrupt influences from around the throne.” They killed the Mberal premier, Keisuke Okada; the lord keeper of the privy seal and former premier, NO GOVERNMET FORM CHANGE SEEN | Washington, Feb. 26. Am- bassador Hirosi Saito told news- men Wednesday that the designa- tion of the Former of In- terior Goto to head a new govern- ment in Japan indicated there would be no fundamental change in the empire’s form of popular government, The envoy said direct advices to the embassy from Tokyo disclosed that Wednesday's assassination of government leaders did not repre- sent a military coup by heads of the Japanese army. He attribut- ed the outbreak to young army of- ficers impassioned with patriotic idealism. Admiral Viscount Makoto Saito, and the chief of military education, Gen. Jotaro Watanabe. They wounded Korekiyo Takahashi, minister of finance, and Admiral Kantaro Suzuki, lord chamberlain of the imperial court. They killed and wounded several lesser personages, together with po- licemen, bodyguards, and personal servants in their sudden attempt at @ coup d’etat. Report 80 Killed A Japanese consular source in Lon- don stated unconfirmed reports from Japanese newspapers said 80 persons had been killed in all. Riichi Taka- hashi, son of the minister of finance, said in New York he had received a cable stating his father was dead. All other members of the cabinet escaped unhurt and one of these min- isters, Fumio Goto, head of the home office, was made acting premier by Eaperor Hirohito. Goto is a nation- t. The government declared a state of emergency and ordered two fleets from the high seas to police duty at Tokyo and Osaka. Under strong military precautions, the streets of Tokyo were quiet and the government declared the whole nation was calm. The majority of theatres and restaurants were closed, advertising lights darkened, and traf- fic suspended in several central dis- tricts. to Protect Policy The insurgent officers said their purpose was to protect the national policy. The’ premier-designate, Goto, was minister of home affairs—the office which carries with it control of the police—and senior civilian members of the Okada cabinet. According to the war office, the in- surgent officers said they believed the government was being torn by finan- elal factions and bureaucrats at & juncture in which the nation was confronted with various difficulties. The officers said in their manifesto that their purpose was to protect the national policy, thereby fulfilling their duties to the throne. Liberals Scored Victory The recent parliamentary election, which demonstrated a swing toward Uberalism in the Japanese electorate, had established Premier Okada more firmly in power than he had been since his induction into office in 1934. Young officers previously had criti- cised Premier Okada, a retired ad- miral, as not sufficiently Peer irr’ the program on the ic mainland. Police accounts of the assassinations showed they followed the traditional style. The plotters surrounded the residences of the men they sought to kill, then called them out into the gray darkness before sunrise, pressed revolvers against them, and fired. minister of foreign