Detroit evening times., 1943-07-31
4 He
War Today
japanese Adopt
Beneficent Policy
Toward Subjects
BY ROBERT p. MARTIN
Urhcd Press War AnAils

~
Urnod Press War AnahH
JAPAN is making q despcr-
ate attempt 10 consolidate her
political front and Solidiiy an
Asiatic bloc against the western
powers by softer treatment OF
conquered peoples.
She really is fighting two
wars-one military the other
political.
Since Japan's war Of arms
may he said 20 have passed IT'S
peak into a long retreatinE war
OF attrition. II Is the political
offensive which now engages the
attention Of far=SIghted AmrT1-
can and Chinese leaders, who
saw a United Nations victory
will be a long and costly
process.
The political army has
preached that Japan is not war
ring against the ASiatics and
now is calling on conquered
peoples to help Japan defend
them. according 10 latest Allied
information.
THE PROPAG A NDISTS
have followed their ruthless
military army into subjugated
countries. but wearing gloves.
They have started A strong
pro-Japanese youth movement
by sponsoring the exchange of
Thai Burmese and Filipino stu
dents between their countries
and japan.
They have guaranteed free
dom for virtually every nation
in Asia and have promised a
higher economic level through
"co-prosperity of all Asiatics.
Armies are being trained IN
occupied areas for the defense
OF their freedom.
BURMA is a typical example
OF japanese methods. In 1889.
Burma's politically conscious
elements aided Japan almost
Fundamentally while Japan laid
the groundwork for a Burmese
uprising 10 coincide with the
Japanese invasion. In return,
they were promised freedom
Following the invasion. Japan
gave evasive promises. The Bur-
nlese became restless and the
Japanese:
o Promised independence"
this year.
. Wooed the peasants with a
remittance Of all land taxes
for one year.
. Instituted price control on
staples.
. Began paying for all ma
terialS taken from the coun-
try.
. Paid high prices for serv-
ices and conscripted only
those who fatty refused 10
work.
0 Made the monetary eX-
change rate one for one, in
stead OF following the usual
policy of undertaking the
currency of an occupied d
country.
Q Curried the favor OF middle
classes by allowing them 10
establish their own banks.
. Gained unity in the country
by fostering the consolidation
OF all political parties.
BURMA'S PUPPET political
creed now is "one party, one
race, one voice"
In Thai. the picture is not so
sharp. but il is known Japan
recently made a strong bid for
complete support by granting
the nationalistic Siamese four
former Malayan provinces and
two of Burma's.
The Japanese have interfered-
only slightly with That's in
ternal government and their
propaganda centers on the
thesis that Japan and Thailand
are marching together toward
a "free East Asia.
The refutation OF Japans
entire claim that she is working
only for the independence of the
Asiatics comes in Indo-China.
Here they have completely
foregone the "Asiatic solidarity
appeal because the French con-
troll over the natives is so strong
that friendship and cooperation
are unnecessary so long as
Japan and the French work to-
gether.
This ruthless policy in Indo-
China is not known in the other
occupied areas, however.