The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, MONDAY, JANUARY, 21, 1946. CHALLENGE TO HIROHITO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21925, 21 January 1946, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, MONDAY, JANUARY, 21, 1946. CHALLENGE TO HIROHITO

77],M8 AREA SSMENT is being caused in official Allied circles by

[lie insistence of Australia and China that Hirohito should lie tried as a war criminal. So far these are the only two countries of those who made a major contribution against Japan to demand ibis action. Britain has yet to announce her list of major war ••riminals. The United States has not indicted 'Hirohito, nor has New Zealand despite the false report of the New York HeraldTribune’s correspondent in Tokyo.

Although Britain has still to put in her list, it is known that for some time London and Washington have been in agreement in preserving in part the status of the Emperor to ensure stable government in the future. During the war, it will be recalled, the Emperor was carefully avoided in the press and radio propoganda attacks directed against Japan.

China’s determination that Hirohito should be tried as a war criminal is understandable. Such has been her suffering, it is a wonder she does not regard every Japanese as a war criminal. That Australia should be so insistent at this stage is probably a reflection of the independence which Dr. Evatt, Minister of External Affairs, has previously shown in Allied councils. That Australian troops, airmen and sailors have suffered grievously at Japanese hands is not denied, but her attitude is not helpful in the attempt to solve a difficult problem. The United States since Pearl Harbour has been realistic, ruthless, in her dealings with the Japanese. Yet she still believes that the Emperor must he preserved in the person of Horohito. He is not exonerated. Tojo’s trial may implicate him and force his abdication, but in the meantime he is a convenient, willing tool in Allied hands. The influence of the Emperor over his millions of subjects cannot be too greatly emphasised. Since the fall of the Shoguns in 1867, the throne lias become supreme. Hirohito recently renounced his claims to divinity. The Japanese have been taught that the Emperor is the representative on earth of the gods of heaven, vested with their divine attributes of love, benevolence and allseeing wisdom, His wishes have been received by bis people as divine commands. Just as Emperor Meiji was mainly responsible for removing anti-foreign prejudices at the end of last century, so the Emperor institution as represented by Hirohito is looked to to-day as the rallying point of liberal elements which will form a stable and friendly Government.

Like a number of European countries, Japan has a pretender to the throne, but he is a comparatively unknown figure unlikely to command the respect of the masses. They know Hirohito, and the Allies know him. His indictment at this stage, in view of his apparent endorsement of General MacArthur’s drastic, reforms and the pending general election, would delay the achievement of Allied aims.