Has Emperor Lost Face?

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23318, 29 September 1945, Page 5

Has Emperor Lost Face?

Visit To General MacArthur Views Of Japanese Citizens Differ By Telegraph—N.Z Press Assn —Copyright (Received 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 27. THE only comment in the Japanese Press regardingEmperor Hirohito’s visit to General MacArthur appears in the “Nippon Times,” which states that the Emperor thanked General MacArthur for efforts in a 35-minute conversation through an official interpreter, Katsuzo Okumura. A report of the meeting was placed on the front page of all newspapers, which explained that the lack of editorial comment was due to the “absence of reports concerning the content of the conversation.” Individual Japanese, however, are eager to explain to the Americans that, while the visit is considered significant, it should not be misinterpreted. One Tokio publisher familiar with United States ways told, the correspondent of the “New York Times” that the Emperor himself requested the interview as a matter of “courtesy” to a distinguished visitor—who also happens to be a conqueror. The publisher said the visit would easily be understood by the Japanese. He deprecated any idea that the Japanese would feel humiliated by the fact that Emperor Hirohito left his voluntary isolation to call on a foreigner who had not previously expressed a desirf to receive him. Many high-ranking Japanese officials desired to confer with General MacArthur, but were unable to do so until the Emperor showed the way. Officials now feel that the .door is open to enable them to apply for audiences. The Associated American Press says the man in the street believes that Emperor Hirohito “lowered his Divine and Imperial dignity.” A young university student’s comment was: “It is not too good that the Emperor should visit General MacArthur, who should have called at the palace, but in Japan’s present position it cannot be helped.” The student’s wife said: “The visit was a good thing. It will help Japan and America to become friends.”

A demobilised sailor said: “The Japanese have been taught since childhood that the Emperor is the Supreme Being. They are not taught to respect the heads of other nations. The Japanese are grateful to General MacArthur because he permitted them to continue their peaceful life in spite of defeat, but I think the meeting lowered the Emperor's prestige.” A middle-aged Justice Department employee commented; “The Emperor visited General MacArthur with a firm determination to convert Japan into a peace-loving country, a fact that made a personal visit exceptional, and this is a sorrowful fact to Japan, but in the present situation we must swallow our tears.”

Three new political organisations have been announced in the last week, a Liberal Party, under the Liberal leader (Ichiro Hatoyama), a Socialist Labour Party, under the Christian leader (Toyohiko Kagawa), and also a new so far unnamed Socialist Party. The Domei News Agency reported that seamen and railwaymen, workers in large industries and . also Tokio transport workers are organising unions. The Agency noted three labour

trends, a’ revival of former unions, the creation of new unions with no definite political beliefs and also signs of a revival among Leftist groups. The Associated American Press correspondent comments that so far no party advocating capitalist democracy has arisen. Meanwhile the Rightists, including militarists and patriotic societies, with Conservatives, including the industrialists, and privileged classes and bureaucrats, tightly control the Government and industry. General MacArthur has ordered the arrest of 34 Japanese officers and men, headed by Lieut.-Colonel Oie Satoshi, all of whom are suspected of complicity in the Palawan tunnel massacre. Two United States Marine divisions are now sailing to Hopeh, reports the Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times.” Observers say this will bring them to Tientsin and Peiping ahead of the Central Government forces, which are scheduled to fly to North China from Shanghai and Hankow within a fortnight. The Americans will thus be able to consolidate the area before the Chinese arrive. The Communists, who claim to control the Hopeh countryside around the two main North China cities have already stated that they will welcome the American forces. At the same time the significance of the Marine landings in Manchuria is not lost on observers. A complete information blackout concerning the situation in Manchuria has descended since American humanitarian teams landed to liberate war prisoners. Tire humanitarian teams had difficulty in getting food. The Russians made no bones about their desire to have them leave quickly.