 The story of the Pacific and its people, of the peaceful seas and the lands and lives we touch on, and their meaning to us and to the generations to come. Presented by the National Broadcasting Company and dedicated to a fuller understanding of the vast Pacific basin, this broadcast series comes to you as another public service with drama of the past and present and commentary by Hillis-Laurie of Stanford University for many years a resident of Japan and author of the recent book, Japan's Military Masters. Japan's Dynasty of Terror, the Black Dragon Society. In his Tokyo home sits Japan's venerable patron saint of political assassination. He sits in silent calm, looking benignly out through silver and spectacles. To his white beard, his strong lower lip moves slowly. The end justifies the means. Soro Toyama, 88-year-old Japanese super-patriot whose record of intimidation and murder stretches back more than half a century. Toyama is rarely seen, rarely speaks in public. Yet he is one of the most powerful men in Japan. A schoolboy may not know the name of the prime minister, but every schoolboy knows the name of Toyama. For although Toyama has played an important and decisive role in nearly every grave national matter for years, he has never been decorated for his efforts. For his work has always been behind the scenes. In 1892, Mikuro Toyama was in jail in Osaka. It is still here. Yes? Open the door. You are going to rip me out? It's 20. What for? Close the cell door. Yes. All right. Come along Toyama. This is very amusing. Very amusing. Toyama has been an enemy of Okuma for years. Yes. We also know that Okuma tried to bribe Toyama to get out of the country, but Toyama refused. Toyama could only do that because of the secret organization he has behind him. Toyama is a nobody. He has power. He could not have defied the prime minister. Come in. This is Mikuro Toyama. Yes? Do you mind if I sit down? Your stand. Will you need me to? No. I will go there. Your two officers remain here in the room. Yes, sir. Toyama, do you know about Okuma? I have heard of him. Did you know what happened to him? What happened to him? A bomb was thrown at his cabbage. He really injured our support. One of his weapons blown off. He nearly went to death. Is that why you have arrested me? Why did they not arrest the one who threw the bomb? He committed suicide on the spot. That was unfortunate. Toyama. You sent that man to throw that bomb. I am just a pawn. We have evidence that it was you. You are wasting my time. I must learn a living. How did you know the exact time Okuma's carriage would get to the place where it was bombed? Oh, this is I do Okuma. Was he a friend of yours? Okuma was no friend of mine. Was he yours? Toyama. I have your entire police record here before me. You have been imprisoned before terrorism. And now you are... Could I have a minute please? What is it, Lieutenant? Let me whisper. You mean that it must be very engaging? Yes, sir. Take this man back yourself. Yes, sir. That is all for now. All right, Toyama, this way. The chief has a lost interest in me. And it's certainly in our friend Okuma. From the black political alleys, threats poured in and Toyama was released. Henceforward, Nitsuro Toyama was to be above and beyond the law. He had discovered a powerful weapon. The fear of his fascination. More and more people were to come to know Toyama and his methods and to rest uneasily because of them. In his hometown he formed a genitia and this small group, bound to him by personal ties, re-welded into a gang. Ablest among his followers was Ryohei Uchida and he it was who saw the need of a secret organization of greater scope. In 1901, Uchida gathered a group of promoters for the new organization at his home. Besides Uchida, 13 others were present. The most venerable of whom was silent, tight-lipped Nitsuro Toyama. This is Japan's destiny to advance to the Amo River. The Amo River was then the boundary between Siberia and Manchuria. Russia had encroached on Manchuria. Our objective must be to agitate for war with Russia. We must name our society in such a way that our purpose is clear. The Chinese name of the Amo River, Heirong Chang, means Black Dragon and this name we shall take. We shall call ourselves the Black Dragon Society, the Kokuryo Kai and nothing shall stop us. Less than a month after the meeting at Uchida's house, a public inaugural meeting was held in a Tokyo restaurant. In the next several years, the ranks of the Black Dragon Society filled rapidly. The undercover agitation for war with Russia was intensified. It came into your room like this printito. But the mailman just brought this book and I thought, what is it? It is a novel book by Uchida. The Black Dragon Society. Let me see it. Russia going to... It is even more inflammatory than the magazine they have been publishing. That magazine was suppressed. It is now being published under another name. On the Tida is distributing maps showing the Russian encroachments in Manchuria. The Yama is behind this. His name is never mentioned, but everyone knows it to Tida. The Yama is really the one who established the seminary to train the young to speak Russian. They are determined to start war with Russia. There is no need to fight Russia. For years now I have said that we can divide influence over China and Korea. I know printito, but what is that noise outside? I know. What kind of influence is this? I will put a stop to it. Shemata, what is the reason for this? Big man pushed me aside when I entered the door. Printito? What do you mean by that? I am Mitsuri Toyama. Come in, man. Get out of here. My press is with printito. Put him out. It would be more present for all of us printito if you were more courteous. You mean that you five will kill me on the spot if I am not? We have come here to talk. Hey, Rito, you are the foreign minister should know Kono here? I had not expected to meet the president of the Rower House of the Diet this way. Explain it to him, Kono. Printito, sooner or later Japan must fight Russia. This is dictated by heaven. High officers of the army and navy have decided on quick attacks. Everyone knows you are against war with Russia. I am for dividing spheres of influence over China and Korea with Russia. The military has decided to attack. That is enough, Kono. Printito is now informed. Printito, what we wish to know is are you or are you not for war? Well, I printito who is the greatest in Japan? Emperor. On that we all agree. Who is the greatest personage under the emperor? That would be Do you wish to be Japan's greatest statesman? I understand, Toyama. Let me shake your hand. It is in the interest of our emperor under our state. Now we are united under now we will crush the Russians. Admiral Togo has destroyed the Russian forces by Admiral Togo, follower of Toyama. During the invasion of war, Printito had been persuaded by Toyama. And victory was in the hand of Japan. Toyama had played his card well. The Black Dragon Society became a deadly secret power before and during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904. Japanese, not in its circles, learned to talk in harsh voices. Tsuta himself organized the Manchurian bandits who fought against the Russian soldiers. A great deal of money, a house of Yasuda has that in Manchuria. That would explain the operations against Russia, but what of all the other operations of the society? The army has a special military intelligence and other secret funds are available from the government appropriations for the administration of Korea and the Kwantung East Territory. That perhaps is why Toyama himself has so much money. Toyama personally, just recently got his mining rights for 700,000 yen. Where did he get those mining rights? It is not necessary to know precisely where the Black Dragon Society gets its money. It seems to be soft evidence that such a big money... In the years between the Russo-Japanese war and the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty in China in 1911, the Black Dragon Society sank into lethargy. The Chinese Revolution revived it. Sun Yat-sen has joined forces with martial Yuan Sikai. China, it's now your right. This is Bushida again. Japan must expand her arms. Bushida, as Toyama's disciple, was rousing the Black Dragon once more. We must dispatch two to China to bring the inshals to the Japanese base. Regulations for new aggression were now in the wind. The Japanese government is taking a root-warm view of what is happening in China. What happens in China is of the greatest importance to Japan. The general of the Black Dragon teleports the key men in the government who are not of the same opinion as Toyama and Bushida. Moritaro Abbey, director of Political Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Office has been chopped to death. Besides the body of Mr. Abbey, the murderer has spread out the map of China. Squatting beside it, committed Hari Piri, the headquarters of the Black Dragon Society, has been raided. Nothing was found. The matter is officially closed. The Prime Minister, Count Keita, has been found killed. The Ohehi Uchida has been arrested on suspicion of instigating a young man to commit the murder. Keita, who has been held 18 months in jail, on suspicion and connection with the murder of the Prime Minister, Count Keita, has been released. He was not tried. Tanji Matsui, an elderly banker, has been chopped to death. A document written by the murderer to identify the assassination is being circulated by the Black Dragon. The matter is officially closed. A thousand eyes kept a constant vigil on the national political scene. On all matters concerning what they construed to be Japan's manifest destiny. Among the members of the secret society were persons of all grades of radical patriotism. Behind them, with no title, but holding the reins, was always Koyama. And, cheap aid to Koyama, in the agitation of Manchurian expansion, was Komei. When the Japanese military were planning the invasion of Manchuria, they called in Komei. Now, you've summoned me for advice. You shall listen to me in 1925, General. Japan was not ready to move in Manchuria in 1925. I organized a rebellion against Chung-Sung Lin, the greatest power in Manchuria in 1925. If you had supported me then, Manchuria will be under Japanese control now. We value your knowledge of Manchuria. We have as much information on China, the Philippines and India as we have on Manchuria. Our own people are active there, Mr. Komei. Some of them. But most of our best sources are dissatisfied nationals. We have patrons in nearly all cities in Asia. Quicks, farmers, troublemen, priests, hawkers, Yuban dentists, and barbers. We're invited to watch in the future. Our immediate interest is Manchuria. Mr. Komei, it is important that you know... With the help of the Black Dragon Society, the invasion of Manchuria was planned. The ideas, the concepts of the Black Dragon Society were finding a more general acceptance. Its leaders perceived that the scope of its thinking must be extended beyond the limits of the society itself. A broader appeal was necessary. Accordingly, on June 28, 1931, there's Thai Nipalse Sattel. So that's what they call the new society, isn't it? Yes, the great Japan production party. They say they have 100,000 members. If Uchita is at the head of it, it is no mere political party. Uchita says that it is a rebel party based on Japanism. If there's an organization to foster Nazi ideas on Japan. In my opinion, Uchita is combining the nationalist and the fascist and the socialist to climb to power to take over completely. It's not a political party. He wants imperial rule. It's a way of the empire. So this means that he plans to use this great Japan production party to help him gain that end. After the die Nipalse Sattel was organized with the Black Dragon Society as its nucleus, Japan struck in Manchuria. The sudden porosity of the attack, the military precision of the invasion, the ruthless seizure of control shocked the world. The Japanese military and the Japanese military and the Japanese military and the Japanese military under Lord Litten. They questioned Komei and the Black Dragon Society leader frankly told them Manchuria is the doorstep on which Japan must plant her foot to enter China's household in order to run it for the welfare of Japan and the wealth. This was the policy of Japan's military to protect and plot a drive from Manchuria into China proper. Conservative Japanese opposed this move. Uh, I cannot permit the wholesale extension of the war into China. This action would go beyond the original plan. This was Premier Unukai who had formerly worked with Toyama. Premier Unukai fell with many other Japanese conservatives in the bloody assassinations of 1932. Among those arrested and found guilty of being accomplices was Toyama's 33-year-old son Hidezo who was head of one of the societies incorporated into the great Japan production party less than a year before. They would either set their sights far beyond the borders of Japan. They set their sights on white imperialism. Musorini is a barbarian. He has made a war on the opportunity of war. He is an other example of white imperialism. Attack on the helpless natives of Abyssinia! We must protest! We must make our voice heard! This was the centre of the Black Dragon Society in 1935. Meantime, Black Dragon leaders were rising in the political triangle of Japanese politics. Look. Look at this in the newspaper. Koko Hiroto has been appointed to head the Cabinet Ministry as Premier Koko Hiroto. He is the first member of the Black Dragon Society to rise to such a high post. Now we can expect a more ruthless national policy than ever before. And within the secret Black Dragon circles it is a great victory for us. Toyama. We have a stormy height while we shall command. But Toyama had not countered on all of the ramifications of Japanese politics, nor on the international situation. Soon, Hitler and Mussolini had joined. And presently, on the premier Koki Hiroto, Japan committed itself to the Rombulin anti-comintern axis. But, Ochita, it is only a matter of months since we have the Black Dragon protested against Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia. Now we are joined with him. There was no answer. The Cabinet headed by Hiroto, the Black Dragon fell in less than 12 months. The Japanese military had taken over. The military, using Black Dragon society techniques inside Japan as well as outside, disposed of its long-standing enemies. The communists, the politicians, the liberals, the collabing diplomats, the free press. After Pearl Harbor, the venom of the Black Dragon spread out over the world. Police of Rio de Janeiro have arrested another member of the Japanese Black Dragon Society who has caught any information to Japan from a radio transmitter at the false bottom of a fishing boat. The police are tracing down it. In San Francisco, authorities have arrested two more members of the Japanese Black Dragon Society as a result of a raid. Officers in Los Angeles have taken into custody three Japanese members of the Black Dragon Society alleged to be using Japanese language schools to spread information from a charcoal razor. He decided on a matted floor in his Tokyo home with sharp eyes looking out through silver rimmed spectacles. Mitsuru Toyama sits in deadly calm. His strong lower lip moves slowly. The Black Dragon Society has shown a way. The Japanese military has at last adopted the principles on the practices of the Black Dragon Society. Japan has courageously attacked and invaded every foreign power in the Pacific. Today, the Japanese flag flies throughout the greater East Asia from the Armo River to Australia from the Dutch Indies to the Bay of Bengal. Mitsuru Toyama and secret societies such as the Black Dragon have played an important and insidious role in the shaping of Japan. And here to tell the significance of this dynasty of terror is Hillis Laurie of Sanford University. For many years a resident of Japan and author of Japan's military masters. The next voice you will hear will be that of Mr. Laurie. We take you now to San Francisco. We Americans have no counterpart of many things Japanese. Certainly, we have no equivalent of Japan's notorious Black Dragon. Japan is a land of strange paradoxes. It is, for example, a land of regimentation, of law, of an all-powerful police who scrutinized the daily lives of the Japanese and for whom the term thought control is precisely what it says. It is a land where the people bow low to the police officers who twice a year invade the privacy of their homes to see if their houses are clean. It is a long tradition of violence inherited from feudal days. A land where secret terrorist societies have flourished. The assassin's sword or the swift rattle-tap-tap of a submachine gun has killed those in power who dared block the grandiose schemes of Japan's so-called divine destiny. In feudal days Japan had the Ronin and the Sochi. The Ronin was Samurai who had lost their feudal lord and who roamed the countryside but any who allegedly had insulted the honor of their dead master. Roughly speaking the Sochi were freelance violence brokers brought by any who had the price. The modern counterpart of the Ronin and the Sochi are Japan's gangster pictures found particularly in Japan's secret terrorist groups, a veritable maze of interlocking organizations. The best known is the Black Dragon Society. They look upon themselves as a sort of unofficial department of justice watching less Japan's honor be offended and threatening death to those who block their imperialistic ambitions. Political assassinations in Japan have always been given consideration. One might call them political weapons, a weapon most frequently used in time of a crisis. Japan's modern government was born in a bloodbath of political assassinations. They have recurred sporadically throughout her modern history. And with the opening of the decade of the 1930s and the demands of the extremists for aggression abroad political assassination of those who opposed their ambitious dreams became epidemic. This psychology of political assassination is peculiarly Japanese. Let us look into the mind of a Japanese contemplating such an act. Perhaps his decision is the decision of one of Japan's terrorist gangs. Or it may possibly be the product of his own distorted mind. In that case, he moves quietly among his friends inquiring, would it not be better for the higher interests of Tenno, son of heaven and the welfare of the state if our premier or possibly the lord keeper of the imperial seal even an army officer or say a too moderate inspector general of education could no longer obstruct the true imperial way. If in the course of his questioning he becomes convinced that this assassination would promote what he personally considers to be the best interest of the emperor he sharpens his sword or in the more modern style secures a submachine gun. Shortly thereafter, a political assassination. The assassin has reasoned I know that I have violated the law but I am prepared to stand the most extreme punishment because I feel that by my lawless act I have promoted the true will of the emperor. The Japanese people are deeply sympathetic to this sort of reasoning. After Marcus Okama lost a leg from the bomb thrown by a disciple of Toyama, Okama expressed admiration for this staunch patriotism. In the last decade the courts trying the assassins have often resembled a carnival side show where the murderers were treated as prisoners of honor their defendants lodging their purity of mohe with mystical fervor. Petitions totaling a million signatures many written in blood poured in a steady stream into the diet the cabinet and the courts begging clemency for the assassins some generals in Japan's army grumbled that the assassins were even brought to trial at all. It was not until the army revolt of 1936 that the army was shocked into the belated realization that this accepted Japanese philosophy that political assassination had cloaked in such mystical phrases as promoting the true will of the emperor could be in fact the sword that cuts two ways. In July of that year a military court executed the first death penalty of either a civil or military court since the renewal of political assassinations six years earlier. It must not be forgotten that in Japan political assassinations accomplish political ends. Each assassination in these recent years ultimately increased the power of extremists. When Japan struck at Pearl Harbor the most rabid patriot in Japan's secret terrorist societies could find little fault with the extremist leaders of the army whom they had helped to place in power and who at last in control gambled all in their bed to extend the rule of the son of heaven over greater Asia. Should the allied armies invade Japan we must expect a nucleus of Japan's black dragon society to go underground unless eradicated they will be the ones who secretly will build from a defeated nation a stronger Japan which like a second Germany rising out of Versailles will try again in the years ahead to realize its dreams of world power. Thank you, Hillis Lawley. You have just heard the Pacific story presented by the national broadcasting company and dedicated to a fuller understanding of the vast Pacific basin. A reprint of tonight's Pacific story program is available at the cost of 10 cents. 10 cents in stamps or coins to the University of California Press Berkeley, California. The address again University of California Press Berkeley, California. The story is written and directed by Arnold Marquess. The musical score is composed and conducted by Thomas Palusso. Your narrator, Gain Whitman. is presented as a public service by the national broadcasting company and the independent radio stations associated with the NBC network. This is the national broadcasting company.