Companion Described as "Political Bully"
Tokyo, Apr. 11.
Lieut, T. A. Peacocke, of the dist Heavy Battery at Singapore, who hag completely disappeared since the middle of January when he arrived In Japan for some skiing, is now be-Meved to have been murdered.
On the strength of an announcement by the Japanese police, Japanese newspapers infer that the British ofoer was slain and robbed by his companion,—Masayoshi Asamura, sometimes known also as. Shinobu Aoki, and that the Japanese subsequently met his end in a blizzard, According to the police, an examination of the body of Asamura Japan Must Watch Rome Pact Sequel Tokyo, Apr. 1 The Anglo-Italian Agreement is received in a critical ight in im= portant Japanese circles, which appear to consider that Italy has somewhat transgressed the implies tions of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Main interest, however, centres on whether the accord presuges a sliter British policy in the For East, The spokesman of the Foreign Mice, questioned by Reuter today, dofinliely declines to discuss Japanese reaction to the Pact, The "Yomiuri Shimbun" declares that the Foreign Ofee authority believe the fundamental point of con: Miet between Britain -and Italy cannot be said to have been clearly removed. 'The newspaper quotes the Foreign Omce as saying: "The sign-Ing of the accord does not directly Influence' Far Eastern issues, Tt is ineoneelvable that any change should occur in. Holy's attitude towards Japan, The pregnant question Great Britain's altitude towards the Far Best "in any case, the indirect effects of the accord area malter of serious concern to Japan."
The: "Hecht Shimbun" declares that Japan must watch with deep concern the effects, direct or otherwise, of the Anglo-ttalian Agree: nent, especially since the Soviet's. foreign policy immediately renets to any change in the British policy towards the For East.
In an editorial, the "Nichi Nichi" says that an Anglo-French rapprochement with Italy will receive a stronger impetus from the Anglo-Talian accord, because, the journal volleyes,. both Great 'Britain and France think that the best way to maintain peaeg in Burope at present consists in approaching Herr' HIth*r through Signor Mussolini, The "Nichi Nichi." however," doubts whether France will obey the logic fof such events, namely, the liquidation of the alliance with the Soviet Union.
The newspaper fears that it Great Britain and France approach Italy for checking influence on Germany, it will only result in an aggravation of the European situation—Reuter. revealed in the dead man's possession a brown leather wallet, three foreign bank cheques, three pennies, and shop receipts and name cards belonging to Lieut. Peacocke.
The Briton''s body, it is stated, may; lie "in the 1,000-foot _inaccessible Garan ravine, buried deep in snow.
"political Buily"
The "Hech! Shimbun" suggests that Asamura may have obtained possession of the Briton's automatic pistol, shot him dead and then rethed him.
Twenty skilers are continuing the search for It. Peacocke in extremely hazardous conditions.
The "Hech! Shimbun" describes! Asumura as a "political bully who was on the black list of the Tokyo police."
Asamura is said to have emduated from the mechanical department of} the Kanazawa High School in 1932, and joined the army alr corps and Was promoted sub-lieutenant in 1994 Later, after taking up engineering the "Osaka Imperial University, Asamura, the newspaper continues, went to' Manchuria to investigate asbestos deposits. He joined the Tung Hwa Provisional Government, but subsequently is alleged to have absconded with funds.
Maj-Gen. F. S. G. Piggott, British Military Attache here, interviewed by Reuter, said that officials of the Home Ministry had two theories, 'The first of these, he said, was that] Asamura' was a "real wrong. un" who had attached himself to Lieut Peacocke for the purpose of "doing him in." The local police, he added, strongly leaned to this belief.
The second theory, Maj.-Gen. Piggott asserted, was "that Lieut, Peacocke met with an accident, and Asamura went to his assistance but lost his way in 9 blizzard. He then
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.