Election May Decide Line-Up Of Japan; Either West Or East

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1950, Page 5

Election May Decide Line-Up Of Japan; Either West Or East

TOKIO, June 4 (Recd. 11.4pm). Eighteen Communist election campaigners, one of whom carried a poster of Stalin, had been arrested by the Japanese police by this afternoon, as 30,000,000 Japanese voters went to the polls in an election which is expected to help decide Japan’s place in the line-up between the Western Powers and Russia. Japanese law bans campaigning on election day. The Japanese voted today to elect 132 members of the Diet, Upper House Councillors. The election has been fought on international rather than domestic issues. Mr. Yoshida's “Liberal" Government favoured continued co-operation with the United States and a de facto peace settlement with friendly Powers, while it remained discreetly silent

on the long-term question of United States military bases in Japan. Communists and other leftists have done their utmost to exploit what is believed to be mounting Japanese impatience at continued occupation. Rejection of Liberal Party candidates today would mean a hostile Upper House, which could force Mr. Yoshida out of office. The -Upper House already has rejected a local Taxation Bill which General MacArthur’s Headquarters told Mr. Yoshida must be passed. Observers believe the United States is determined to maintain bases in Japan. If the United States decides to proceed with a treaty, she must at least be ready to make other arrangements for bases outside Japan.