MacARTHUR TELLS JAPS TO BE READY FOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1949, Page 5

MacARTHUR TELLS JAPS TO BE READY FOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Occupation is No Longer Needed (N.Z.F. A.—REUTER CABLE) (Rec. 9.55). TOKIO, May 2. General MacArthur to.*tl the Japanese people to-day that, as far as they are concerned, the occupation of Japan is no longer necessary. “The Allied purpose, enunciated at Potsdam, has, in many essential respects, been fulfilled”, said a message from the S.C.A.P., in a message on the second anniversary of Japan’s democratic constitution, which falls to-morrow. “You have worked diligently and faithfully to discharge your surrender commitments. That the Allied forces still occupy your native soil, by no means is due to a fault of yours, but, rather to events and circumstances elsewhere, beyond your capacity to influence or to control”. The S.C.A.P. message also said that the character of the occupation gradually has changed from one of stern rigidity of a military operation to one of the friendly guidance of a protective force. The message added that it is General MacArthur’s purpose to speed this transition as rapidly as the Japanese are able to assume the attendant responsibility. General MacArthur, in conclusion, urged the Japanese to co-operate, by unrelaxed vigilance, against concepts that are. incredulous of human wisdom, are prejudicial to personal dignity, and are suppressive of individual liberty. *