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Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 149, 21 December 1945, Page 7

MACARTHUR'S DECISION

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

TOKIO, December

It is learned that General MacArthur will not name the Emperor of Japan as a war criminal or force his abdication unless evidence of Hirohito's guilt develops or General MacArthur is compelled to act by a directive from higher authority, says the correspondent of the New York "Herald Tribune."

However, if the Emperor wishes to abdicate—according to some reports he has been asking General Mac Arthur to sanction such a move—that,is something which the Government and the people must work" out for themselves. A long Tass (Russia) news agency dispatch describes mounting dissatisfaction of Japanese left-wing parties with Japanese political elements which are seeking to shield the Emperor. It describes the Japanese financial and labour situation as chaotic.

General Mac Arthur, who considers that the first major phase of the occupation was concluded with the directive abolishing State Shinto, has redefined the occupation policy in instructions to his commands. These, according to a staff release, "set forth with striking clarity the opportunity which is being afforded a completely vanquished enemy to correct the errors of his ways."

The instructions emphasised again the determination to keep a firm hold on the Japanese people, but the Government and the people must be given every opportunity to carry out the Supreme Commander's orders without compulsion. The Supreme Commander will continue to control Japan through Hirohito or other suitable means, but the final form of Government must be one supported by the freely expressed will of the people.

General Mac Arthur cautioned commanders that respect for and confidence'in the United Nations and, its representatives will be developed by example and demonstration and by the safeguarding of individual rights. ' While Japanese officials continue to emphasise the growing gravity of the impending food crisis, the occupation authorities forbade American troops to eat Japanese food, and all eating places serving food from Japanese sources have been placed out of bounds. Club messes have been ordered to obtain food only from Allied sources. The order said that the action was taken to prevent possible civil unrest and undue interference with the occupation .mission.-. .Meanwhile official Japanese figures show that rice collections are only 11 ncr cent, of the total assessment.

A message from Manila says that though General Mac Arthur dissolved the Keirmeitei (military police) in September, former are trying to infiltrate the ranks of the civil police, whose officials are reported to be "taking care of their nld pals." says the New York "Herald Tribune's" correspondent. Brigadier-General Thorpe commented that everituallv all former Kempei must b° removed from the police forces. There was no use in just/ changing their hats. Meanwhile, the finding of hidden arms is%ecorning mora frequent. This may lead to drastic corrective action, even to compelling Kirohito to" issue an Imperial Rescript. w