Evening star., 1934-10-07
BY WILLARD PRICE,
Author of Study of American Influence
in the Orient"

THE expected "crisis Of 1885," as
Japanese newspapers unite in
describing it, is wiping out the
l. effects of decade of patient
Soviet propaganda in Japan.
Naturally the thought police" claim
credit for the suppression of Com
munism. But there has been a cor
responding increase in dangerous
thoughts along the line Of reac-
tionary and Fascist nationalism.
Which makes it appear that the
change is to be credited, not to the
thought police" but to the approach
ing emergency.
Japan expects trouble next year.
In the Naval Conference she will have
to fight for naval parity. When her
resignation from the League becomes
effective she means to hold the man
dated islands. She anticipates that
criticism on the Manchurian question
may come to head. And she does
not look for smooth sailing in her
relations with Soviet Russia.
In short, it may be Japan against
the world next year!
This apprehension has aroused a
patriotism that has had a blighting
effect upon Communism. The Kyoto
Imperial University student, known
as a Communist, who suddenly ap-
peared in a black shirt as evidence
of his change of faith, typifed the
passing of a vogue. Communism has
been fad among Japanese students.
1t was something new. different, i'm
ported There was the zest of danger
in it. They approved of it because
the thought police" did not. Few
of them knew much or cared much
about it. 1t satisfied the secret So
ciety" instinct of schoolboy. 1t
prospered because of suppression.
And now it is dying in spite of
suppression.
Patriotism Curbed Communism.
A true Communist puts his Com
munism first and his nationality sec
ond. But a true Japanese, even
though he be Communist, is first
and always Japanese. And Japanese
students have come to recognize this
truth about themselves during recent
months of universal talk and daily
newspaper comment on the coming
crisis" Their games of incendiary
talk in damp easements lost zest as
the movement for the defense Of
Japan gained force.
Now those who are in Jail are re-
canting and those who are out of
Jail are coming, in considerable num-
bers, to police headquarters to an
nounce their change of belief. So
strong is the tide away from Com
munism that the present period has
been called 'Tenko-Jidai," or Chang
ing-Faith Time" by the vernacular
press. Doubtless there will be back
washes in the ebb tide, outbreaks on
the part of Communist leaders in an
effort to hold their own But a full
returning tide, even after the emer-
gency year is over, is improbable
The conclusion of statesmen that
Communism has been a superficial
vogue in Japan is based upon the
following significant facts and figures:
Since 1923 a total of more than
10000 Communists have been ar
rested. OF these $1,000 were so shall
lowly rooted in Communism that they
recanted at once and were released.
About 5000 were indicted. Up to
date all but 300 of these have re-
canted. Several trials are yet to be
held and on the basis of past ex-
perience, it is expected that all but
perhaps 200 of these steadfasts will
renounce their faith before or during
+-io 1e oi,,;,
true out of 10000!
Since two arrested leaders, Sano
and Nabeyama, belied their faith re-
Gently, recanting has been the order
Of the day. Sano. sitting in jail
awaiting trial. decided that the world
revolution aim of the Communists
did not take into account the peculiar
needs and character of the Japanese
people. When he came to trial he
before the court his new plan for
solo state Socialism" a somewhat
Fascist scheme patterned for the jap
anese Empire alone.
1t is a long way from Communism
to monarchical Socialism. Yet four
other leaders, Nabeyama, Mitamura,
Takahashi and Sugiura. took it in
their stride during their meditations
in prison pending trial.
Another Communist leader, Tanaka,
decided that the Emperor meant
more than Karl Marx to Japan. He
came to court in a white kimono
(white being the mourning color, in
tribute to his mother, who had COM
mitted suicide because of his disgrace,
and as evidence of the publication
of his ideas.
Kishi, former chairman of the
League of Communist Youth, used
the witness stand as confessional
to repent his past and espouse a
black-shirted type of state Socialism
for Japan.
Peers Sons Recant.
Five sons of peers, accused of at
tempting to Communize the Peers
School, all renounced Communist be-
liefS. The Board of Peerage and
Heraldry of the imperial household
department undertook to discipline
them, therefore the courts did not
pI OoCCulc.
The younger sister of Prince Iva
kura went to her death by her own
hand because she had disgraced her
distinguished family and betrayed
her Emperor by connection with the
Communists. A lad whose thought
less toying with Communism had
caused his fathers resignation as
mayor of Shizuoka threw himself be-
fore an electric train. There have
been many such suicides of the disil-
lusioned and conscience stricken.
Now this is most ignificant-that
persons are willing to go to death
for the wrong they have done their
families. but not willing to go to
death in the cause of Communism.
Why does not Japan raise up mar
tyrs to Communism? Do Japanese
lack the courage of martrydom? Does
the prospect of punishment dismay
them? Out of 10000, why do only 300