Evening star., 1945-09-10
NJ Arthur Orders
Japs' Imperial
|GHQ Abolished
Koreans Are Aneered
By Retention of
Former Masters
By the Associated Press

TOKYO, Sept. 10.-Gen. Mac.
Arthur struck japanese militar-
ism a death blow today by order
ing the imperial general head
quarters abolished and stimuli
taneously clamped a press and
radio censorship on the beaten
empire.
AS supreme commander he issued
a directive that the headquarters
must dissolve by September Is.
General headquarters was set up in
1910. a few months before Pearl
Harbor, to coordinate army and
navy activity.
While the occupation of Japan
moved smoothly, sparks flew in
Korea over Gen MacArthur's policy
of retaining japanese officials in
Office.
In proclamation, Gen. Mac
Arthur told the Koreans the pur-
pose of the occupation by 7th In.
fantry Division units was ito en-
force the instrument of surrender"
and protect them in their personal
and religious rights.
Last Symbol of Aggressiveness.
Until further orders, all public
officers and persons engaged in es-
sential services in Korea were di-
rected to perform their duties as
usual, and to this country long DOM
mated by the japanese the general
called for active compliance"
The blow at the japanese general
staff will erase the last symbol of
japanese aggressiveness. 1t was the
tactical organization of the entire
military setup..
Even as this order was issued by
Gen. Macarthur. japanese demo-
bilization was already well under
way and trains loaded with hun
dreds OF unarmed soldiers and naval
personnel in the home island were
on their way home.
Gen. Macarthur found time to-
day to visit the general hospital at
Yokohama, where he talked with
liberated American prisoners from
Bataan, Corregidor and elsewhere.
Rights Will Be Respected.
Many patients stiffened to mill
tary attention as they recognized
their old chief, but Gen. Macarthur
motioned to them to remain at ease.
The Korean proclamation pledged
your property rights will be re-
spected." 1t was dated Friday and
signed by Gen. Macarthur as COM
mander in chief of United States
Army forces in the Pacific, not as
the Allied supreme commander.
Gen. MacArthur's timetable for
the occupation of Japan disclosed
that additional elements of one
Marine and nine Army divisions
would be in place by October %.
The censorship for Japanese press
and radio pledged there would be a
minimum of restrictions on freedom
of speech. 1t was contained in a
directive issued to the japanese
government. AS result overseas
broadcasts from Tokyo radio sta
tions were reported by American
public relations officers to be off the
air.
Koreans Aroused by Order.
Dispatches from Korea said that
country was a potential powder keg
after the announcement that the
japanese administrative officials
would be retained, but would be
under direct orders from 1t. Gen,
John r. Hodge, oath Army Corps
commander.
Koreans, jubilant in expectation
OF quick freedom under American
occupancy after having been domi-
mated by the Japanese nearly half
century, termed the Armys adminis-
trative decision "a slap in the face. 4"
Demonstrations broke out in the
capital and political factions plas-
tered the city with posters of pro-
test.
Koreans Hopes Debated.
A brief announcement by Brig.
Gen. Crump Garvin, Gen. Hodges
chief OF staff, Immediately after the
Americans landed at Jinsen, Debated
Koreans hopes for quick, complete
independence. After Gen. Hodge
formally accepted surrender of the
southern half of Korea CRussians
will occupy the northern half from
1t. Gen. Yoshio Sozuke, he clarified
the administrative policy at a press
conference.
He made it clear that Japanese
administrative officials would act
only on his orders; that they would
be permitted no independent action.
Japanese rule came to an end
formally in the throne room of the
palace in Keijo The surrender doc
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