JAP. CABINET RESIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 October 1945, Page 5

JAP. CABINET RESIGNS

MACARTHUR’S ORDER SEQUEL

CLEAN-UP OF POLICE CONTROL

RELEASE OF POLITICAL CAPTIVES

LONDON, October 5. The Japanese Prime Minister (Prince Higashi Kuni) has resigned, with all his Cabinet. Prince Higashi Kuni handed the resignation of his Government to the Emperor to-day, and it was accepted without, quesThe 8.8. C. correspondent in Tokio says that the resignation is the direct result of General MacArthur’s-direct-ive requiring the removal of the Japanese Home Minister (Iwao Yarnazaki). A contributing cause, says the correspondent, was the heavy criticism of the Government in the Japanese Press, for its inability to control home affairs. General MacArthur’s other new directives, including the orders for the release of all political prisoners and the abolition of the “thought control” police also influenced the Government in deciding, to resign. The reason given by the Government itself, however, was that it had “successfully concluded the first stage of the occupation period.’ The 8.8. C. correspondent says he is reliably informed that Baron Ki j uro Shidehara will be summoned by the Emperor and asked to form a Cabinet. Baron Shidehara, who is 73 vears old, has taken no part in politics since 1933. He was Japanese Foreign Minister in 1931. -The corespondent says that if Baron Shidehara accepts the. task, the Government he forms will be strongly Liberal. In some quarters m Tokio it is suggested that Prince Konoye (a former Prime Minister, and VicePremier in Prince Higashi Kuni s Cabinet) may form a Government. General MacArthur precipitated the Cabinet crisis by demanding that the Home Minister be removed. General MacArthur gave the order because he thought the police were gagging public opinion, rhe resignation of Prince Higashi Kuni is regarded as evidence that he lacked power to force the resignation of the so-called “war-time Ministers, while still retaining office himselt. The Tokio correspondent of the EFFECTS OF ORDER.

“New York Times” says: “General MacArthur’s drastic order, so far as it affects the man in the street, is probably the most sweeping of all the controls on Japan. It strikes at the root of the Imperial totalitarian system, by disestablishing )the police arm while the system enforced its will throughout the towns, villages, and farms of Japan. “Brigadier-General F. R. Thoipe, head of the Counter-Intelligence Section, said the directive would effect the liberation of several thousand political prisoners, including large numbers of Communists, and would lead to the dismissal of about 5000 police officials, including the entire special police of the Home Affairs Ministry, who were entrusted with the censorship and supervision of public meetings and with thought control.’ The American Army immediately began to take over key spots in the police system, in order to safeguard records-of political prisoners which might otherwise be destroyed, and to provide security lor the prisoners themselves. At the time when his removal was demanded, Yamazaki had just been appointed head of a new committee to improve Japan’s police, system. The Japanese Minister of. Justice, (Iwata) said, just before General MacArthur’s order for the release; of all political prisoners, that that department had not intended to comply with Japanese requests for the release of these prisoners. He added that his department would strictly control any Communist movement advocating 'drastic change in Japan s national policy or the abolition of M evaded interviewers’ questions about more than 3000 political prisoners ordered to be released by October 10, claiming that they had been arrested before he came into office and were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. Yamazaki said the Japanese Thought control’ police were not as haish as before the American occupation, says the Associated. Press correspondent, “but his description of then duties revealed that there was little change in the policy of suppressing all antiGovernment ideas. Yamazaki claimed that he had suppressed the news of the Emperor Hirohitos visit to General MacArthur because he feai - ed public resentment, but he admitted that there was no public reaction when the news was finally published. He added that although there was grumbling throughout the country over food shortages there was.no evidence of restlessness regarding the surrender or the occupation. General MacArthur has also demanded the removal from office of the chiefs of the Tokio and Osaka nolice and the Hokkaido Territorial Police. Prison and gaol records aie to be guarded by Allied troops, and steps will be taken to protect political prisoners before they are released.

THE NEW PREMIER. (Recd. 10.30 a.m.) TOKIO, Oct. 5. According to Japanese newspapermen, the Foreign Minister, Yoshida might be the new premier. Yoshida told interviewers he was not c h°s>cn, but the newspapermen say he was always foxy and would not admit the appointment beforehand anyway. Two visit that Yoshida made to the Imperial Palace and two calls to General MacArthur’s headquarters indicated his selection and approval. Premier Konoye visited Yoshida last night. This indicates Konoye is out of the running because a new Premier receives calls. EX-CABINET MINISTERS (Recd 11.10 p.m.) TOKIO, Oct. 5. Twenty-one suspected Japanese war criminals including seven members of the Pearl Harbour Cabinet were transferred from Yokohama gaol to a deloused prison camp at Qmoii Island, Tokio Bay where they will eat the food served from laige wooden buckets, and sleep on mats on the floor. They have been quartered according to rank, Homma, Shimada and some others getting private compartments. _ SEA ENCOUNTER PEARL’hARBOUR, Oct. 5. The Navy reported that three Japanese were killed when theii motor dory sank yesterday in an engagement with the transport Thurston half-way between New Guinea and Caroline Islands. The Thurstow sighted an apparently deserted dory and sent a motor-boat to investigate. Japanese sprang from beneath a blanket. Two Japanese attacked the American boarding party with hand grenades. A third boarded the investigating craft and forced the crew into the watei. The Thurston launched another motor boat and sank the dory by gunfire. All the Americans were recovered without casualty. INDONESIAN RISING. INDEPENDENCE PRbcLAIMED. LONDON, October 5. “The people of Indonesia see the republic as already existing,, complete with its Government in the

‘capital and the provinces” says a letter signed by the President of the “Indonesian Republic” ' (Dr. Loekarno) and the Vice-President (Hatta). The letter was handed to- Dr. van Mook by the Allied Commander (Lieutenant-General Sir PhihP Christison). The letter adds: . The people consider that Indonesia isi for the time being occupied by Allied forces for the maintenance of public order in which Indonesian officials are ready to assist.” The letter says that when the Japanese were about to land their slogan was “Indonesia for the Indonesians,” and their army was received with enthusiasm. “Sympathy changed to hatred when liberty was not granted by the Japanese, when the hoisting of the red and white flag was forbidden, and the Indonesian anthem not permitted to be sung, the letter continues. The people then knew that independence was not to be acquired under Japanese rule, but by having their own government. “On AugUst 7 this year, the Indonesians formed a preparatory independence committee, which was later transformed into a national committee, and independence was proclaimed, after which a President and Vice-President were chosen ana a Constitution was drawn up. A plenary session of the 150 members Of- the Central National Committee, consisting of representatives of all strata of the population and all regions, legalised the election of leaders and the Constitution. The Japanese forbade any real measure of government, but the Indonesians considered the republic a reality, and their officials as officials of the republic, with the hope that it would be recognised by the countries which are creating world peace on the principle of self-determination.

ARRESTS IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, October 5. The Australian Federal authorities are to-day arresting about 200 striking Indonesian seamen who took possession of a Dutch evacuee camp at Wacol, near Brisbane, after being removed from the Brisbane Trades Hall. It is stated in Canberra that similar action is to be taken in other States The’ decision to arrest the Indonesians followed a conference between the Dutch authorities and the Minister of Immigration (Mr. Calwell). The Australian Government has refused an Indonesian request that space on Australian and Dutch ships be set aside for Indonesian soldiers anxious to join the independence movement in Java.

AUSTRALIAN MEASURES. (N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, October 5. The Federal Government’s War Crimes Bill, giving power to an Australian Court to sentence to death war criminals guilty of atrocities and outrages, is warmly welcomed by Australians. It should meet the public demand, echoed by returning prisoners of war, that merited punishment must be inflicted for brutalities which have caused the deaths of thousands of Australian servicemen. Returning Australian officers from prisoner of war camps have compiled their own lists of war criminals in South-east Asia, and many of these are expected to be brought to trial. The Bill, which passed all stages in both Houses of Parliament in one day without amendment, provides that Japanese sentenced to death for atrocities may be shot or hanged. „ „ Speaking in the House of Representatives, Mr. A. G. Cameron (Liberal, South Australia) urged that Japanese convicted by Australian military tribunals should be hanged and not given an easy way put before a firing squad. He. said that those condemned to capital punishment should be executed at the scene of their crimes. . The “Sydney Morning Herald, welcoming the Bill, believes that to punish war criminals is only the beginning of bringing home to the Japanese the lessons of their defeat. The regeneration of Japan could come about only through the “re-educa-tion” of the Japanese people and the development and establishment in power of democratic political elements among them, after a thorough purging of the old regime.

PRISONERS DROWNED CANBERRA, October 5. Carrying 845 Australian prisoners of war and 208 civilians from Rabaul, the Montevideo Maru was torpedoed near Luzon about June 22, 1942, with a total loss. The Minister of External Territories, Mr Ward, who announced this in the House of Representatives, to-day, said there were 316 civilians, including administration officials and missionaries who had been at Rabaul and other parts of New Guinea, who had not been accounted for. Harold Page, brother of Sir Earle Page, who was Government Secretary and Deputy-Admin-istrator of New Guinea at Rabaul, was among the number missing. Mr Ward said that investigation in Japan has confirmed the Government’s fears that the majority of Australian prisoners of war and internees, captured at Rabaul and still missing, lost their lives at sea. The roll which contains the names of all personnel aboard the Montevideo Maru is being translated in Japan. There is a total of 1,053 persons to be traced.

OFFICERS’ PAY DEDUCTIONS SYDNEY, October 5. A.I.F. officers who have returned from Japanese prison camps, said 1 that large sums had been deducted from their paybooks, covering their field allowances for the periods they were prisoners of war. A captain, who returned from Singapore several days ago, drew his accumulated pay less £214, which had been deducted from his field allowance. He was told it was for his keep while a prisoner. He was also told not to worry as the pay office “thought he would get it all back again.” A field allowance of 3/- daily is given to all officers on service to cover messing, and othei extra expenses which officers normally incur. Another captain had a new paybook issued when he reached hospital. “When I received the new book, the pay staff at the hospital pointed out that £214 had been deducted from my field allowance. Ihe pay staff said the sum had been deducted from the paybooks of all officers and sugggested the best way to get a refund was to collaborate with the other officers in putting the case to the chief paymaster. A paymaster told the officers the deduction was made “for rations supplied by the Japanese Government and paid for by the Australian Government.” One man commented. “Surely we are not supposed to pay for the seven ounces of rice daily which the Japanese provided and for which I, for one, had to swing a pick and shovel for 17 hours a day?

OCCUPATIONAL FpRCE CANBERRA, October 5. No firm decision has been made to reduce the Australian occupational force in Japan from two brigades to one brigade. Because of the shortage of shipping, only one brigade may be. sent at. first. The response of - volunteers for the occupational forge is fair.. LOOTING AND LOSSES. AUCKLAND, October 5. The' fact that the Japanese did not interfere with bank balances has come as a great surprise and relief to internees in Malaya, writes Captain C. W. McMillan, Auckland Star reporter in Singapore. All these people during their years in captivity had expected upon their release to find themselves dispossessed of everything but they had since discovered • that not only are their bank balances intact but also that the Japs carefully collected and preserved the banking records. This remarkable solicitude is completely baffling when one considers the wanton recklessness and utter disregard for property displayed-in other ways by the Nipponese. Looting, however, has been extremely prevalent and practically every home has been stripped of valuable furniture and fittings. So far the civil administration has no answer to .this problem and whether released residents will receive some form of compensation, either from the Government or by way of reparations from Japan, remains to be seen. It is possible that some of the loot will be restored to the rightful owners in due course, but, certainly, the sorting out process will involve a great deal of work and worry, and it is fully realised that among certain classes a “finders-keepers” attitude prevails. It is believed also that looted property is among the stocks that local traders are openly selling. From the remarks one repeatedly hears it would appear that the residents are not greatly concerned about these matters. They are so overjoyed at being freed from the Japs that things mercenary do not weigh heavily upon them. I have talked with New Zealanders who have had everything taken from their homes—furniture, wardrobes, libraries and motor cars —but not one of them has complained. They seem to regard it as one of those little things that happen in wartime and as a small payment for their release.

RABAUL’S SUPPLIES. (R.N.Z.A.F. OFFICIAL NEWS SERVICE.) • RABAUL, October 4. Rabaul was probably the strongest Japanese fortress south of Japan itself. Millions of pounds worth of equipment were taken there and thousands of troops were being rapidly equipped for the next stage in the plan of conquest when the tide turned. About 250,000 Japanese had arrived at Rabaul, while the enemy brought 1200 planes and 300,000 tons of shipping There. They had 1300 trucks and 500 cars, most of them 1942 American models captured at Singapore and Java. Bombing greatly reduced the Japanese transport fleet and weather and insufficient maintenance did the rest. Allied aircraft shot the great enemy air force out of the skies. Out of 1200 aircraft they had at Rabaul the Japanese at the surrender were able to hand over only a mere half a dozen in any way serviceable. Burrowed into the hills around Rabaul are 300 miles of tunnels. They stored equipment once worth millions of pounds, but mould and dampness have made much of it worthless and much has been destroyed by the Japanese. Most of it may be dumped in the sea. Probably the only people who. will derive any benefit from it will be the natives. Many of them are now riding happilv around on Japanese bicycles, even though the tyres are flat and perished. They are also enjoying Japanese rice and biscuits. One tunnel has a special Australian guard mounted at the entrance. Inside are stacked 8000 swords, many gold-mounted naval dirks and hundreds of binoculars and Colt automatic revolvers. They were collected by the Japanese and taken there in 27 truck loads. The Japanese brought thousands of Indians, Indonesians,. Malayans, Javanese and Chinese with them to Rabaul as slave labourers. About 6000 Indians from well-known regiments that fought at Singapore are still there. Very few of them do not bear the marks of violence. Of 1500 Chinese brought to Rabaul, most oi them captured at Nanking. .748 remain. An Australian brigadier commented That the conquest of Rabaul would have been a job for an army, not for a few divisions or brigades. The Japanese could easily have survived a long siege. . In addition to huge stocks of rice in rubber bags, they had 14,500 acres of food gardens.

OIL IN SUMATRA. LONDON, October 4. The New Delhi radio says that the Royal Dutch Oil installations at Paiembang (Sumatra) will . resume limited production almost immediately. The Standard Oil Company s plants will not be restored to lull production for 12 months.