NEWSPAPERS SUSPENDED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23319, 1 October 1945, Page 5

NEWSPAPERS SUSPENDED

Japanese Government Acta Prompt tater-Mers By Allies By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Received 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 29. THE Japanese Home Ministry suspended the newspapers “Asahi,” “Yomiura” and “Mainichi” for publishing the “New York Times” interview with Emperor Hirohito. The action, says, the Associated American Press, apparently was taken without consultation with the American censorship authorities. It is understood that Japanese officials had warned the newspapers against publishing the interview. The correspondent of the National Broadcasting Corporation said that the ban was obviously designed to keep the information from the Japanese people. The Home Ministry confiscated copies of newspapers carrying the interview on the ground that the “article and the Emperor’s quoted words were too awesome and would have a bad effect on the Japanese people.” When he learned of the suspension, General MacArthur ordered the Japanese Government to cease immediately efforts to censor, suppress or control all forms of public opinion, whether spoken or written. In addition to the Press and the radio, the order frees mails, telephones, telegraphs, cables and motion pictures. The order stated that the only such restrictions as are specifically approved by Allied headquarters will be permitted and adds: “No punitive action vzill be taken by the Japanese Government against any newspaper or publisher or employees for whatever policy or opinion they may express, unless ordered by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, on the basis of the publication of false news or reports disturbing public tranquillity.

“The power - of .the Government to revoke permission to publish, or to arrest without the prior approval of the Supreme Commander, to impose fines on publications and to curtail paper supplies as a punishment for editorial comments shall not be exercised. Compulsory organisations of publishers and writers will be discontinued and voluntary organisations will be encouraged. No Press bans will be issued by any Government agency, no pressure direct or indirect can be exerted on any medium to compel it to conform to any editorial policy not its own.

“Steps will be taken to repeal such parts of existing peacetime and wartime laws as are inconsistent with the Supreme Commander’s directives. The newspapers ‘Asahi,’ ‘Mainichi’ and Yomiuri' will resume publication immediately.” Lieutenant-General Richard Sutherland (Chief of Staff to General MacArthur) said: “Immediately we learnt these papers were suspended, we started an inquiry. The Home Ministry told us it was done under the 1096 Statute, which forbids to the newspapers the publication of anything relating to the Imperial Family. Well, we are operating under the framework of Japanese laws, but there is more than one way to do these things. So to-day headquarters ordered an immediate repeal of the old law and all other laws hamstringing the freedom- of the Presj.” The Associated American Press comments that the action shattered with one blow the Japanese Government’s long-practised “thought control” programme under which people were held under the Government's thumb. High Allied authorities considered the seizure of copies of the newspapers as a prime political blunder because the Home Ministry is reported to have objected also to pictures of General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito together. The Japanese War Department informed General MacArthur that 1,833,634 or 81 per cent of the soldiers in the Home Islands were demobilised to September 24, leaving 419,366 for dicharge. Colonel Kramer, chief of General MacArthur’s economic and scientific section, said that Imperial assets would be subject to increasingly close Allied scrutiny. All property owners would be treated exactly alike* It was known that the Emperor possessed holdings in the Banks of Korea and Formosa.

Millions Distributed Millions of copies of the banned newspapers containing the report of the Press interview with Emperor Hirohito and also photographs of Hirohito and General MacArthur were distributed after General MacArthur annulled the Home Ministry's suspension. Japanese civilians commented on the photographs: “It is as clear as any we have ever seen of the Emperor or of General MacArthur, but we can see why the bureaucrats did not like it. “(1) It shows General MacArthur towering over Emperor Hirohito, whereas no one Is supposed to look down on the Emperor. “(2) The Emperor is standing awkwardly at attention in a cutaway coat and striped trousers. “(3) It shows General MacArthur in the Imperial presence without a necktie and with .his hands on his hips.” The Minister of Justice (Chuzo Iwata) told the Dome! News Agency that the Japanese Government was taking more direct action in arresting suspected war criminals. He did not specify what steps were contemplated. He added that the Government should arrest i all war criminals, because their acts came under the criminal code. The Ministry of Social Affairs announced that Japan’s unemployed were estimated at 3,000,000. The figure would be doubled by the return of servicemen and civilians from overseas. General MacArthur has rejected a Japanese plea for 260.000 tons of Japanese shipping to repatriate soldiers. A statement from Allied Headquarters explained that the ships were needed for importing foodstuffs from the Asiatic mainland. General MacArthur has forbade the Japanese to reopen the Stock Exchange without approval. He has granted permission to manufacture certain metals, textiles, and other essential goods, including motortrucks, but has forbade the production of passenger vehicles. He has also ordered the Japanese immediately to restore the water and sewerage systems and to re-open all hospitals and also civilian laboratories for the manufacture of serum and vaccines. He also instructed the Japanese to submit weekly reports on communicable diseases. General Hideki Tojo has recovered sufficiently to walk around the hospital room. He«will soon be transferred to a gaol.