ALLIED CONTROLS OVER JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25797, 7 May 1949, Page 7

ALLIED CONTROLS OVER JAPAN

Foreign Trade And Commerce U.S. PRESSES FOR RELAXATION (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 5. United States Government officials to-day confirmed London reports that the United States had called on the Far Eastern Commission to relax its control of Japanese foreign trade and economic and commercial affairs. However, the officials said that, because of the fundamental issues raised, no early decision by the commission could be expected. One comment was that the proposal represented the first step, if a limited one, towards Japan’s return to the comity of nations. It Was admitted that the proposal was one that would sooner or later have to be faced. Many of the counties represented on the Far Eastern Commission would approach the question with caution, because of the trade and security aspects involved. The United States’ objective—summed up as meaning the restoration to Japan of .limited consular rights abroad —is unquestionably designed to ease the occupation burden of the Allies, notably the United States, which is taking the biggest share of the responsibility. The real problem facing the commission in the United States' proposal is whether Japan should be accorded rights that are normally conceded in a peace treaty, but whether these rights should be granted without requiring Japan to enter into obligations which would be asked of it under a treaty. . Washington officials said, however, that in admitting Japan to participate as a national entity in international, technical, and other conventions, the interests of other nations might be well served. . „ a In addition, the officials felt that this might be the means of teaching Japan respect for international agreements of this character.