Evening star., 1941-12-13
Argues That japanese Militarists
Do Violence to Emperor and Religion.

DO violence 10 Emperor ana Religion.
To the Editor Of The Star:
convincing demonstration of the
contrary would be required to convince
Americans that the Emperor of Japan,
If not virtual prisoner of his military
commanders, is at least prohibited from
exercising the prerogatives of the throne
and is subordinated to the arbitrary will
Of his war lords in contravention of
the constitution and the religion of the
nation.
Thus would seem to be re-erected,
in recent Germanic form, the despotism
and usurpation celebrated for centuries
as the Shogunate, during which period
the immemorial sovereign was reduced
to a political nonentity, feebler than
any courtier of the princes who un-
sceptered him and governed the realm
with military law.
The belief persists that Hirohito. in
sympathy with the public opinion of
Japan, was opposed to war with Amer
lea, being confident that conciliation was
lUI lllC UCob ultClCSto Vi lllo
people in the infinite future. The posi-
BILE fate of his crown probably interested
him less than his concern for his races
destiny. That his judgment was ignored
and his divine person blasphemed by
the militarists is indicated in the as
founding fact that war against America
was proclaimed by the military COM
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thus Is limned as an instrument OF the
militaristS and not q creature OF the
Emperor or of the legislature.
The militarists Of Japan are aware, as
the people are not, that any nations
right to an independent existence is by
law suspended for the duration of hostil-
tiles if war is resorted to and that they
were deliberately menacing the existence
of the dynasty when they challenged
America. The indigenous cult. no less,
being by the militarists translated from
an uninjurious religion into gospel OF
war and, deifying soldiers, now can be
deemed only q vital part Of hostile
citadel Unpleasant as is the prospect,
an objective Of Japan's adversaries must
be the determination of their military
doctrine. The law of nations sustains
this disagreeable thesis. When the war
riers of the Sudan could not be subdued
while a shrine from which their ferocity
was derived continued to exist, the 'holy"
edifice was obliterated, and the natives
conquered The war -devising militar-
istic regime of Japan cannot be separated
from the religion inculcated for exalta-
ton of war The militarists probably are
persuaded by Germany that France will
engage her feet and armies against
Russia and England and that America
will be isolated and compelled to agree
to a compromise peace or fight q hostile
earth. Japan is potentially the nation
that must perish or be rescued by a
revolution of her people to vindicate
the constitution and the Emperor, re-
viving the fundamental law and iberat-
ing the "deposed" sovereign.
The dissolution of China was defeated
generations ago by Japan and America.
In those decades Japan was less a menace
to eastern Asia than were European
governments whose spheres Of interest
were purposed for future annexation
| America no less than Japan opposed
such projects. Their final abandonment
resulted from the vanquishing Of Ger
! many In the last war. No nation, Ger