PRAISE OF JAPAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 8

PRAISE OF JAPAN

AMERICAN OFFICIAL TAKEN 'TO TASK CONTROL COUNCIL CRITICISM TOKIO, Oct. 16. The British representative on the Allied Control Council for Japan (Mr W. ’McMahon Ball) accused the American -member (Mr George Atcheson) of invariably defending the Japanese Government against any criticism when delegates clashed over American praise for the Japanese. Mr Atcheson had declared that Japanese aims were now virtually those of the Allies, and had praised the Japanese Government’s;. record at the elections last April. Mr MacMahoh had replied that he did not like to identify himself -with the American expressions of cordiality and confidence in the Japanese Government. “I shall be glad- to. join -you'in-praise when any merit exists,” he said. Mr Atcheson asked: “Does the British member think no merit exists?” Quick in Defence . Mr MacMahon Ball said that ■whenever any council member had made any criticism, the American member had been quick to defend ■the work of the Japanese Government. “I shall not identify myself •with the attitude you have expressed until I have more information on the actual state of affairs,” he said. The clash arose when LieutenantGeneral Derevyanko (Russia) requested that the Japanese Government should be instructed to see that the irregularities which marked the general elections on April 10 were not repeated at the forthcoming prefectural polls. Mr Atcheson replied that the general election was a great success and freer from corruption than mostwestern democracies could boast.

The Tokio correspondent of the New York Times says Mr Atcheson, whose official views are believed to be parallel with those of General MacArthur, has formed the habit of automatic resistance to any Soviet proposals at council meetings, and it was expected that he would deny there had been any defects in the April elections. Frustration Alleged

“Mr Atcheson has indicated at past meetings that he considers any criticism of Japanese activities criticism of the American occupation,” adds the correspondent. “He has replied that criticisms are discouraging not only to the Japanese but also to General MacArthur. Some observers feel this attitude has created a frustrated expression on the faces of the members from Russia, China, and the British Commonwealth. “It is felt that to-day’s meeting was the clearest demonstraation so far that no suggestion made by a council member, however justified, will meet Mr Atcheson’s approval if it has received the curse of a Soviet blessing. It further appears that Mr McMahon Ball is wearying of playing silent partner to Mr Atcheson. His remarks indicated that the British Commonwealth will no longer be a non-committal spectator of a Rus-sian-American feud if that must be done at the price of supporting the Yoshida Government. “British sources said after the meeting that the Commonwealth felt that in view of past Japanese history and the lack of sufficient favourable evidence, it was too early to endorse the present Japanese Government.