Evening star., 1945-09-17
Information Program
Launched 10 Convince
japanese Of Defeat
By the Associated Press.


TOKYO, Sept. 17.-Gen. Mac
Arthur today instituted broad
American information program
to convince every japanese of
the empires defeat, of its war
guilt, to eliminate militarism and
to encourage democratic prin-
ciples.
The direct information program
will employ the japanese press,
radio and schools.
The Army forces in the Pacific
Psychological Warfare Branch has
been converted into an "informa-
tion dissemination section" under
Brig. Gen. Bonner r. Feller, Gen.
MacArthur's military secretary.
The announcement said flve points
will be stressed to:
81. Aid in eradicating militarism
and ultra nationalism.
20. Make clear the fact Of Japan's
defeat and acquaint the japanese
with their responsibility for the
war, atrocities committed by their
armies, and with the war guilt of
their leaders.
g. Foster a sound economy and
encourage democratic organizat ton.
Il. Encourage a free government
responsible to the people.
IS. Promote political civil liberties
the free right for assembly, public
discussions. education, free elections
and respect for human rights"
At the outset the information
dissemination section will operate
through the japanese Board of In
formation, contracting representa-
tives of Japanese publications, radio,
movie distributors and schools. The
Board of Information was utilized
by militarists before and during the
war to spread domestic and inter-
national propaganda.
The announcement said each
week program of accurate infor-
nation and ideas will be developed.
Certain news articles and radio COM
mentaries will be must items for
use by the japanese. Among these
will be factual presentations of
atrocities committed by the Japa-
nese military"
Other information and articles
may be offered to various japanese
agencies for publication "at will"
Most of the articles won't be writ
ten by the information dissemina-
tion section "and the japanese may
use their own methods of presenta-
tion as long as essential ideas and
information are given proper light
Close contact will be maintained
with various film agencies to en-
courage presentation of movies
showing Allied goals for peaceful
of democracy and
liberalism in their proper perspec-
tive"
The announcement added "Japa-
nese schools will be guided by an
information dissemination section
education unit to assure factual
presentation of government history,
political and civic liberties, etc. Die
tatorial methods won't be used and
free discussion Of all phases of SUBJ
jectS will be encouraged"
The planning group is headed by
Capt. Arthur Behrstock, former Chi
cago newspaperman.
The IDS staff, in charge of the
various departments, will be:
Education-Maj. Harold G. Hen
derson, on leave from Columbia Uni
versity, where he heads the Jap
anese department.
Movies-Robert Perkins, owl, who
was born in Japan.
Chief of releases-Capt. Donald
r. McCammon, formerly with the
United Press in Chicago.
Radio-Capt. William Roth, Hell
ena, Mont.
Pictures and art-Lt. Alfred D.
Dawson, Norwalk, Conn.
Magazines-Capt. John r. Ken
nedy. washington, D. C.
Nisei and Japanese employes-Lt.
Taro Tsukahara, San Francisco.