AFTER THE WAR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3177, 2 October 1942, Page 8

AFTER THE WAR

PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC OCCUPATION OF JAPAN OVER-ALL DEFENCE SYSTEM A special committee studying post-war problems concerning the Pacific, under the auspices of the American magazine Fortune, recommends :— '(1)' The Western Powers to surrender all exclusive rights for preferential positions in Asia after the war. (2) The (Pacific Council to act as the final judicial authority in Pacific affairs, all members of the United Nations whose interests directly touch the 'Pacific to be represented on it. (3J A new nation to be created in south-eastern Asia, islands in Indonesia, and Portuguese Timor, as a separate political unit. (4)’ China to be made strong enough to maintain an imbalance of power too great in the continent of A£ia to

be altered iby the ups and downs of temporary circumstance or local history.

(5) The Philippines to be given independence as pledged before tAe war.

(6) International commissions to be established to govern Burma and Indo-China until they are capable of self-government.

(7) A new over-all defence system for island groups dotting the route of trans-pacific commerce.

Japan To Be Occupied

(6) Japan to be occupied by troops of the United Nations, and Japanese military power to be kept to zero until such time as the Japanese people are willing and able to co-operate peacefully in the maintenance of a stable order’ in the 'Far East.

The “Fortune” committee’s report admittedly gives only brief considera*tLn to Australia and New Zealand, Canada and India, because the point of the special study at this time is America’s relations with the Far East, and how the Pacific Ocean can be made a great highway of peace and prosperity rather than a noman’s land of misunderstanding and war.

At the end of the war, it is stated, the function of British Imperialism in the Orient will have been fulfilled, and must be replaced not by a retreat into isolationism, British, American or Asiatic, but by a new international framework in which the creative spirit of East and West can work dynamically together for a better world.

“What we seek in Asia is not a new balance of power,’’ the committee states, “but an imbalance of power made with the assumption that China in future will 'be free, strong, stable, and our friend.”

Finally, the “Fortune” committee proposes that the United States offer to Japan, when defeated, the follow’ing terms of capitulation:— (1) Surrender of all remaining Japanese warships, aircraft, tanks and artillery; the dismantling of bases and defensive works, the demobilisation of all Japanese soldiers and sailors called up after July, 1937, confiscation of all arms and equipment. (2) Surrender to the United 'Nations of all Japanese-held territory on the continent of Asia and 'Pacific islands. (3) Landing on the Japanese mainland of United Nations’ forces for temporary occupation of at least six of the largest Japanese cities. (4) Internment of all senior officers of the Japanese Army and Navy. “We do not propose to force the abdication of the Emperor,” it adds. “Our best hope for a change of heart

in Japan lies in the total discredit of the military leaders and their followers.”