EMFEROR'S HESITANCY

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

EMFEROR'S HESITANCY

EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS Rec. 12.15 p.m. TOKIO, Dec. 20. Prince Konoye's memoirs, which are now in the hands of the chief war crimes prosecutor, state that there was no doubt of the Emperor's sincere wish at all times for peace. They condemn Japan's system of goyernment, which permitted a free rein to the army. .

"While the Government was carrying on negotiations with all cits might, the army was pushing ahead with its war preparations, but the Government did not know what the preparations were," said Kpnoye. "Movement of ships and mobilisation moves became known in the United States, creating doubt in the United States of the sincerity of the negotiators. The army wanted war and the navy would not or could not oppose the army. The Emperor remarked to me, 'It is regrettable about the army.'" Prince Konoye commented in his memoirs on the fact that the Emperor rarely voiced his opinion to the degree it might be thought; he was too hesitant. He added: "Although it was proper that the Emperor should be passive in peacetime, such passivity when the country was standing at the "crossroads of peace or war led to extreme difficulties."