THE TREACHEROUS JAPS.

Evening Star, Issue 25563, 15 August 1945, Page 5

THE TREACHEROUS JAPS.

ALLIES MUST BE PREPARED ABDICATION OF EMPEROR MAY BE FIRST MOVE RUGBY, August 14. The Washington correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that enemy broadcasts indicate that the Japanese people are being prepared for the possible abdication of the Emperor in favour of Ids son, with the Emperor’s brother as Regent. ' The ‘ Yorkshire Post ’ says: “ Hints have come'from the Japanese military attache in Stockholm that the Emperor will probably abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince—a boy of 12— and colour is lent to this supposition by attempts that are being made in the Japanese Press to build up devotion to the Crown Prince in this moment of national crisis. Such a plan would mean the setting up of a Regency Council, and so would avoid involving the Emperor in the indignity of carrying out the dictates of the Allied commands.” The writer says that some sections of Allied opinion might approve of a device which removed from the throne the man who has become identified with Japan’s long career of international crime, but “ it is to be hoped that before any such arrangement receives Allied sanction, the Emperor will be compelled to sigu the instrument of surrender.” The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ feels that no great subtlety has been shown by the Japanese leaders in delaying the inevitable. The Tokio statement yesterday that the Allied reply to Japan’s offer to surrender had only just been received could not serve any useful purpose. “Set against the announcement of another conference between the Emperor and General Tojo, the fanatical militarist who is Foreign Min-

ister, it proved that the situation had .got out of control. There are evidently two, and probably more than . two,- opinions among- the Japanese chiefs about what is now the best course for them to take. Some would die—or at least make most of the people die—in the last ditch, others are for peace on ally terms—till the terms can be broken; the result is a compromise to postpone as long as possible.” The writer insists that we should Be on guard against assuming that with the Emperor reduced to the status of a tool in the hands of the Supreme Allied Commander, all difficulties will be easily ovcrccome, and points out that tlie Emperor cult was revived last century to serve the militarist and economic ambitions of the Japanese ruling claus.

“ Despotism tempered by assassination is a fair description of Japan through the last 30 years. When Hirohito- performs what the Allies demand from him—that is to say, gives the Japanese army and navy leaders orders to surrender—it is uncertain whether they will all obey. Those who do may be in peril of their lives from the more ferocious and more fanatical warriors. The Allies must be prepared for treachery now, and the only security for the future is the establishment of a system which the militarists cannot dominate.”