CONTROL OF JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 5

CONTROL OF JAPAN

PRESENT ADMINISTRATION PROBLEMS FACING FAR EASTERN ADVISORY COUNCIL Washington, Nov. 12 General MacArthur’s Administration in Japan is being called into serious question by spokesmen for other Governments on the Far Eastern Advisory Council. Some whereof fear that the present military administration of Japan may be laying groundwork for a resurgence of Nipponese power a decade hence, reports North American Newspaper Alliance. A proposal has been advanced in secret sessions of the commission that an Allied investigatory group visit Japan to check the extent to which general directives by President Truman and the S ate Department are being carried out. Delegates from other Pacific nations have received disturbing reports that the Zaibatsu have been removed from their positions in name only, that the same teachers and Imperialistic and religious teachings, similar to those 1 which have kept the Japanese mind in thralldom, are continuing, and that too much is left to the Japanese Government’s discretion and good faith in carrying out Macarthur’s orders. There has been no question of MacArthur’s good faith, or his capabilities as a military comniander, but a fear being expressed around the Commission table—where Russia is notably absent. —that MacArthur’s natural leanings favour a restoration of powerful Conservative civilians agians. any rise of democracy, fostered by the farmworker groups. Predominant interests of the United States in Japan and the American right to make final decisions are recognised without serious protest by the nine other Powers, despite the misunderstanding developing out of the London Conference, wherein representatives of Britain, Australia and and other nations thought they had a gentleman’s agreement with Mr. Byrnes to make the Commission’s policy decisions binding on a majority vote unless three or four major Pacific Powers —China, America, Russia and Britain—exercised a joint veto. Its developed that when Mr. Byrnes held conversations which the other Powers he read a document embodying this gentleman’s agreement, reportedly -■ drafted by the Assistant Secrtary of State, Mr. James Dunn, and a British Foreign Office representative. When the commission gathered in Washington, the United States, State Department pointed out that according to representatives of other nations, that President Truman haa already announced that the American word in Japan would be final, and this decision would not. be reversed. There was no real disposition to dispute the Commission's advisory status, except by Russia, but, despite the Commission’s advisory status members were encouraged by the prospect of its becoming an incuential force in a long term policy for Japan. They analysed MacAruthr’s orders based on these directives.

Although some suggestions may be submitted by President Truman ana Mr. Byrnes for changes in these’ directives —one favoured by China and Australia would remove Hirohito from the throne—the chief concern of other powers is making the directives effective. Some cannot understand why, with pressure heavy to bring American troops home, the Chinese and Australians have not been accepted as occupation troop under MacArthur’s command. A highly significant symptom of the attitude of the American occupation leaders is seen in-reports that the property of multi-millionaire Japanese trusts have not been seized, as was that of the bankers of the Nazi military machine. Instead the Zaibatsu bought more off in Government bonds. Foreign leaders say this leaves the “behind the scenes boys” in Tokio as wealthy as before, and in a position to move back into power when the occupation is ended. One member predicted the Far East Advisory Commission would vote to send a group to Japan in about three weeks.