The Evening Star (December 16, 1945)
Konoye kills self with poison near deadline for surrender
Note blames self for China incident, tells of humiliation
TOKYO (AP) – Prince Fumimaro Konoye, thrice premier in the decade of Japan’s belligerency leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, took his life with poison early today at his lavish home, rather than surrender today as a suspected war criminal.
Princess Konoye went into the prince’s bedroom at 6 a.m. and found him lying in a Japanese-style bed on the floor, with a vial of poison at his side.
He gave a note of explanation for his act to his second son shortly after 1 a.m., retired around 2 and apparently died of the poisoning about three hours later.
“I cannot stand the humiliation of being apprehended and tried by the American court. I cannot but feel especially responsible for the outcome of the China incident and for this reason I tried my best to attain an understanding between the United States and Japan in the hope that such an understanding only could solve the China problem,” the note said.
“It is indeed a matter of great regret to have been named as a war criminal by the United States with whom I wanted and tried to work together for a peaceful solution of Pacific affairs.
“I believe my real intention is even now understood and appreciated by my friends including not a few 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 unfounded rumors will in time restore its calmness and balances.
“…Only then a just verdict will be given at the court of Gods.”
Japanese newspapermen and photographers had swarmed to the entrance 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 Tojo 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 investigate. The doctor took charge of the poison vial.
Others in the household reported Konoye was “normal” when he retired. 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 5 a.m.
Konoye’s secretary, T. Uchiba, said the body still was slightly warm when he arrived shortly after 6:30 a.m.
“The body looked peaceful with eyes closed,” Uchiba said.
American officers today clamped a tight guard on the Konoye residence, restricting correspondents to the small entrance hall where three tall American soldiers, in stocking feet, stood guard.
The family first objected to pictures. Later they agreed to dress the body and permit a photographer from each service to take pictures.
Prince Konoye was born in October 1891, the son of Prince Atsumare Konoye and a princess of one of Japan’s oldest families, the Fujiwara nobility from whom empresses are chosen.
Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University law college in 1917, he embarked the next year on his political career by becoming a member 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 1937.
His first term ended in 1939 because of unremitting pressure by the Japanese Army. Then, in 1940, he was brought again to office mainly through army pressure.
Konoye on April 8, 1941, in a speech opposed all-out union with Germany and Italy and called for a resurgence of the “traditional Japanese spirit.” This did not set well with the army and Konoye resigned on July 16, 1941, but formed a new cabinet two days later which lasted until October 1941, when Tojo became premier, pledging fulfillment of Japanese aspirations in East Asia without reservation.
Founded totalitarian party
During Konoye’s 1937-39 premiership wholesale arrests of anti-militarists were made. This was at a time when Konoye himself was advocating early conclusion of the Chinese affair. Later, in 1940, he founded the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, a totalitarian party, and permitted himself to become head of Japan’s propaganda organization.
His son, Fumitaka Konoye, who attended Princeton University, made a series of anti-militaristic statements while a student in this country and for a time was reported under arrest in Japan after the outbreak of war with this country. Last reports in September 1945, however, placed him as an army lieutenant in Manchuria.
As a youth Prince Konoye was reputed to be a Marxist. He translated Oscar Wilde on socialism and contributed to a magazine later suppressed tor leftist tendencies. Outside Japan he appeared to be a liberal, but he turned to totalitarian militarism as time passed and World War II approached.
Konoye was one of the more colorful Japanese and had a habit of retiring to his bed in times of crisis. He had a “cold” during the period when the military was cramming its national mobilization law down the throats of the Diet and kept within reach of his pillow pills, powders and nostrums of many kinds. His physician used to say his health was perfect, however.
Spinsterishly meticulous about food, Konoye poured boiling water over raw fish and strawberries to kill germs. He used to say his wife wouldn’t let him smoke or drink.
Said he sought peace
Konoye said in a recent interview that he had sought to avoid war with the United States by attempting to arrange a personal interview with President Roosevelt.
In the post-surrender period, he went to work on a revision of the constitution, saying he did so at Gen. MacArthur’s suggestion. Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters made a pointed denial.
The directive for his arrest was issued December 6. The next day the Tokyo newspaper Asahi said Konoye had refused to meet any visitors, including Saburo Kurusu, who was in Washington as a negotiator when Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.