Evening star., 1945-10-29
Truman Talk Viewed
By laps as Offer Of
Hope for New Nation

TOKYO, Oct. 29.-Unofficial Japar
took hope today from President Tru.
mans enunciation of foreign policy
that Japan eventually might regain
a place in the economic and political
society of nations but not one gov
ernment official would comment.
Marquis Koichi KIDD, one of En-
peror Hirohito's closest advisers
spent the entire morning in con-
ference with Hirohito after reading
Mr.. Truman's speech in japanese
newspapers. Kidos aides said they
did not know whether the speech
was discussed. The Mikado, de-
scribed as a diligent student OF
japanese newspapers, presumably
had read Mr.. Truman's address
which was printed at length.
Aides said Premier Kijuro Shide-
hara and Foreign Minister Shigeru
Yoshida both read Mr.. Truman's
speech but made no comment. All
top government and palace officials
declined comment.
Potsdam Policy Cited.
Unofficial japanese statements en-
phasized the hope that Japan will
regain an honorable position in
world society when we demonstrate
our peace-loving intent"
The Presidents reiteration of the
Potsdam philosophy in this regard
should be assurance that eventually
there would be no discrimination
against one-time enemy nations
they said. Recent discussions in the
American press of the enforcement
of occupation policies here had
caused some open Japanese wonder
as to whether Japan could depend
on broad outlines of the Potsdam
pact or whether proponents of q
hard peace would demand perma-
nent isolation of Japan.
Japan's three major newspapers
gave Mr.. Truman's Navy Day speech
top play and carried the IL points
of Americas foreign policy in full.
Prominently displaying a picture
of Mr.. Truman. Tokyo Asahi head
lined the speech Equality of Trade
and Raw Materials" Yomuiri Hochi
headlined the story American
President Clarifies Foreign Policy
Stresses Unity of Allied Nations"
Peace Decision Stressed.
Mainichi's headline was Joint
Armed Force Also to Be Used fol
World Peace Security"
Meanwhile, the newspaper Yo-
miuri Hochi reported that Hiro-
hito's annual income was approx
mately S1,000,000 from stocks ano
extensive land holdings and that
the imperial households annua
budget was approximately $685.
666. In its unprecedented, page
discussion of imperial finances
Yomiuri said nearly one-fifth of thu
budget came from public funds over
which the Diet had no control anc
the remainder from investments.
Yomiuri said it was impossible tt
determine the extent of the EN-
peror's fortune or income because
it is tax free. It's figures came from
announced government statistics.
Perhaps significantly, the news.
papers story appeared while Japar
awaited results of a Macarthur
ordered inquiry into the Mikado'.
fortune.
Stock Holdings Listed.
Hirohito's stock holdings in 1941
were reported as about $4,544, ,00C
and land holdings in 1910 as 3,000,-
900 acres. yielding nearly s700,o0C
annually.
Yoniuri said the Emperor held
stock in the Bank of Japan. the
Yokohama Specie Bank, the Mitsui
Bank and the NYK and OSK
Steamship Lines and shared in the
profits of the Korea Colonizing Co.
Hokkaido Colonizing Bank and the
, Oriental Colonizing Co. The latter
Hthree were among more than score
of imperialistic expansion concern!
ordered closed by Gen. Macarthur
recently.
On the political front, Domei re.
ported that most young Japanese
peers want to forsake their title!
and assume a commoner status, fol.
lowing the lead of Prince Fumimart
Konoye. Konoye is expected tt
become active in politics if his re-
quest to resign his title is granted
by the imperial household.
Peerage System Decried.
"The peerage system has becom'
nonsense" Domei quoted Coun
Coriyasu Arima, former Minister O
Agriculture, the source of its story
Shikao Matsushima, former Min
lister to Switzerland, was names
Vice Foreign Minister and auto
matically became vice presiden
of the central liaison Office, whicl
deals directly with Allied authori
ties. He succeeds Tatsuo Kawa
who, however, retained the presi
dency of the Board of Information
Baron Keichiro Hiranuma, 80
year-old president of the Priv
Council, asserted today that Jap
anese democracy" means retention
of the Emperor in his present rol
ss assigned by the constitution.
There have been rumors that En-
peror Hirohito might abdicate an
that rewriting of the constitu
ton now under way might stri
him of all but titular authority.
"Japan's political organization
Hiranuna told the Associated Pres
lis based on the historic fact ths
The Emperor never has been
despot."
He declared he strongly oppose
Japan's adherence to tripartit
pact with Germany and Italy Will
he was Premier in 1889.
Hiranunla resigned over this issu
and the pact was signed a yea
later