CONTROL IN JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 305, 23 November 1945, Page 5

CONTROL IN JAPAN

“UNJUSTIFIED CRITICISM”

MENACING UNDERTONE (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 22 Major-General Willoutriiby, General MacArthur’s chief Intelligence officer, said that unjustified criticism was being circulated in the United States about, the occupation methods, inspired by “obscure sources,” says the Tokio correspondent of, the New York Times.

The comment coincided with the publication in Tokio of a statement from the policy, committee of the Far East Advisory Commission that recommendations were made for a revision of some directives to and from General -Mac Arthur. V

General Willoughby said that the occupation was being subjected to critical comment with a menacing undertone, particularly regarding the use of established Japanese machinery for demobilisation aiid other important policies. General Willoughby attacked the undercurrent of questioning of General MacArthur’s methods, saying that the occupation had been cat •- ried out without a single shot being fired. He asked what alternatives were expected to this painless

occupation. Japan, he added, had 21 divisions on the Tokio Plain, which could have been mobilised quickly for resistance had incidents occurred. He claimed that the fact that they were able to enter as they did, with a smile and without artillery, was a triumph of diplomatic skill, as was the use of the Japanese Government, including the Emperor, to make the occupation effective.

Referring to the atomic bomb, General Willoughby said his impression after inspecting Hiroshima was that suitably constructed underground shelters would have constituted protection. The bomb had yet to be proved as a weapon to back up invasion after troops were ashore, as against its use before a landing. According to a Tokio message which quotes the newspaper Mainiclii Shimbun, Hirohito frowns on Prince Higa-shi-Kuni’s desire to surrender his title. The Emperor will not peimit any Prince to renounce his Royal status without the most urgent reason. In a statement prepared at the request of Mr Wilbur Forrest, chairman of the American editors’ committee on the post-war freedom of the Press, Chingoro Takaishi, chairman of the Newspaper League of Japan, urged the establishment of an International Press League as the most effective way to prevent wars.