SMALLER FORCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22438, 19 September 1947, Page 6

SMALLER FORCES

JAPAN _PATROL WARSHIPS AND PLANES SECURITY COUNCIL LINK (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 18. “As far as it concerns any armed force behind or available to the supervisory authority, it seems increasingly doubtful that an occupation force of any size will be maintained within Japan after the treaty comes into effect, although it would be desirable to maintain such a force for a limited period as a general insurance against a too rapid resurgence of independence on the part of the Japanese,"-states the report in the Canberra conference. “It would seem that the minimum would be the maintenance of a naval and air patrol force capable of controlling the Japanese seaways and airways and of closing, if necessary, a port or ports. Question of Bases “Technical opinion would have to determine whether this could be done from nearby bases, or whether the maintenance of a base on Japanese soil would be required-

“The force should be under one commander and should, operate directly under the instructions of the supervisory authority. As its functions would mainly be of a police nature, the supervisory Powers might be prepared to agree to the supervisory authority having direct power to use this force. “But the case may arise, or should be provided for. where simple police action is not effective, or where the force); at the disposal of the supervisory authority are inadequate to secure Japancese compliance. “Whether the treaty-making Powers should at the time of the settlement work out arrangements to meet such a '■nave situation, and whether an effective relationship should be established with the United Nations are matters of the utmost importance.” To Avoid a Challenge

New Zealand’s policy is stated to be to press for an intimate relationship between the security measures proposed in the treaty and those necessary for general world pence. If there is no such relationship, the supervisory authority for Japan might have its jurisdiction challenged inside the United Nations by a State which is not a party to the peace treaty.

Nor should the danger be ignored that at some future date the authorities of the United Nations and the supervisory body might be played off one against the other. If enforcement action against Japan should become necessary, the Governments concerned should be assured by a prior arrangement of assistance or, at least, the approval of the Security Council-

The relationship with the United Nations should be arranged to ensure that the United Nations cannot be used to obstruct, as for example by veto, the operation of the treaty and to ensure that as far as possible it assists the operation of the treaty. The report concludes that the Sec-retary-General of the United Nations should be invited to be represented at the Japanese peace conference for the purposes of consultation and liaison.