POLITICAL POLICY IN JAPAN

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

POLITICAL POLICY IN JAPAN

Commission Advocated Smaller Powers To Be Represented By Telegrapn —N Z Pres.- ass:> ccrf.-r'-h-LONDON, September 23. A plan will soon be announced under which Australia’s views on the formulation of Allied policy on the political control of Japan will receive greater consideration than previously. The plan is the outcome of almost daily consultations between the Australian Minister of External Affairs • Dr. H. V. Evatt). the British Foreign Secretary (Mr E. Bevin) and the United States Secretary of State (Mr J. F. Byrnes). Details are not yet available but it is understood that the political policy towards Japan will be laid down by a commission representing all active participants in the war against Japan. Such a commission is reported to have been advocated by the Soviet Foreign Commissar (M. Molotov) at the Council of Foreign Ministers this week, but important improvements have been made on M. Molotov’s plan which envisaged a. commission comprised of representatives only of Britain, America, Russia, and China. Dr. Evatt took a strong line on the point that Australia, as well as other small nations which participated in the war against Japan, should have representatives on the Commission. In this contention he won Mr Bevin’s immediate support. Mr Byrnes • indicated America’s probably friendly approval. The object of the plan is to ensure that all active participants in the war against Japan shall have their viewpoints considered on all aspects of the occupation policy, excluding matters exclusively of a military operational character. On the military side there is an inclination to accept the higher direction of the United'States, since Japan accepted the Potsdam declaration providing she should take orders from the American Supreme Commander. Only Britain, America, and Australia at present are familiar with the details of the plan, but it is believed that it will be acceptable to all the nations interested' in Pacific peace.