NO WITHDRAWAL FROM JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 7

NO WITHDRAWAL FROM JAPAN

REPORTS DENIED BY U.S. MINISTERS “NO CHANGE IN POLICY’’ (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON. February 16. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) to-day denied that the United States contemplated withdrawing American troops from Japan either now or during a war. He told a press conference that the United States Government did not regard Japan as indefensible in a future war. There was no change in United States policy toward Japan. Mr Acheson said he was referring to reports of statements which had been attributed to the Secretary of the Army (Mr Kenneth Royall). He reminded correspondents that Mr Rpyall had also denied making any statement to this-effect. Mr Royall to-dav admitted that he was the “high military authority” who had held a meeting with newspapei' correspondents in Tokyo. Mr Royall said: “I made po statement about Japan—military or otherwise.” Mr Royall was asked about the report of a transcript of the meeting in which the “high military authority” was quoted as saying: “I tend to the opinion that Japan is valueless in case of war with Russia.” He replied: “I did not make that statement, and I have never seen anyone who would be in a position to know. Who says that I made such a statement? On the contrary, I stated specifically that we did not plan tn make any change in our forces in Japan. I said we were prepared to meet all comers.”