JAPAN MAY BECOME US. BUFFER TO COMMUNISM IN EAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22818, 13 December 1948, Page 5

JAPAN MAY BECOME US. BUFFER TO COMMUNISM IN EAST

(N.Z.r.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 12. American and Japanese observers in Tokyo believe that the United States plans to make Japan its Far Eastern buffer against communism rather than attempting to save China, says the United Press correspondent in Tokyo. They point to the following series of events as indicating that American policy is to look to Japan as a real democratic barrier against communism in the Far East. The events listed are: 1. The cool reception given to Madame Chiang Kai-shek in Washington, 2. Renewed American proposals for the withdrawal of the Allied forces from Korea which is thought to be a prelude to complete the American

military withdrawal from the main-

land of Asia. 3. General MacArthur's recent directive to the Japanese Government to launch a five-year road building programme which would be useful in event of war. 4. Talks in Washington about further aid for Japan. a. President Truman’s announcement that General MacArthur will not be sent to China, lie being seen as the logical choice to direct an all-out fight against communism in the Far

East. 6. The decision of the Far Eastern Commission to put Japanese foreign trade on a virtually free basis.

7. American naval and air bases in this

area. 8. Less danger of a conflict with Russia in the programme in Japan than if a comparable effort is made in China.