Evening star., 1945-08-12
japanese Acceptance
|0f Allied Terms Seen
by ConnaIIy, Thomas
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

Approval of the Big Four's note
to Japan, accepting Japan's surren-
der offer with a proviso that would
place the supreme Allied command
er above the Emperor in dealing
with the japanese people, was
voiced yesterday by Chairman Con-
nally of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee and Chairman
Thomas of the Military Affairs
Committee.
Both Senators predicted japanese
acceptance of the conditions laid
down in the note. They foresaW an
early surrender.
The one question remaining in
the mind of Senator Thomas was
whether the Tokyo government
would be able to bring about the
immediate surrender of japanese
| forces on the ASiatic mainland and
in some of the islands. He suggested
that some of these military leaders
virtually war lords-might refuse
to surrender, and base their position
on the argument that the Emperor
had been made prisoner, and they
would carry on a war to free him.
Long Occupation Foreseen.
A long occupation of Japan, run
ming perhaps for decade or more,
was foreseen - although Senator
Thomas said he hoped this might be
avoided
Senator Connally made the fiat
prediction that the United States
will keep any Of the islands taken
from Japan which may be needed
for military or naval bases, for the
defense of this county and for the
protection of world peace under the
United Nations Charter.
I'VE will keep such islands as the
military and naval authorities deem
necessary" said Senator Connally.
They do not have to be turned
over to the trusteeship system of
the United Nations unless this
country agrees to such course" :"
He added that If other territory
is needed for defense purposes in
the Pacific. this country will take
the necessary steps to acquire 1t.
Powers Must Cooperate.
THE President and the Secretary
OF State" Senator Connally said,
have agreed with the governments
of the United Kingdom, Russia and
China in a joint statement to the
Japanese requiring acceptance of
the Potsdam surrender terms No
single power can dictate all the
terms of surrender. They must act
in unity.
Senator Thomas, who spent many
years in the Orient, was entirely
in accord with the idea that the
United States and its allies, in ac-
cepting surrender of Japan. should
deal with the recognized japanese
governmental political entity.
To me the question OF leaving
the japanese Emperor and his con-
stitution in Japan is very, very
practical one said Senator Thomas
Constitutional change which is
brought about by forces from the
outside attracts military and poll
tical adventures into the sphere of
civil war on platform Of martyrs
That is theory. This, though. is fact
Turkish Defeat Cited.
"We defeated Turkey in the last
war. Turkey was ruled by Sultan
who was an absolute political mon
arch over the whole Turkish Empire
Turkey also had Caliph who was
a religious monarch with almost alb
solute power over all of the people
The Allies made treaty with Tur-
key; then came the Turkish revo-
luton under the leadership of
Kamal Pasha.
THE Caliph was overthrown, the
Sultan was overthrown and what is
more, the treaty with the Allies was
completely repudiated and indepen-
dent. revolutionary Turkey came
into existence. That is what will
happen in Japan If you give them
ia chance"
Senator Thomas Is convinced that
one way to bring about a salutary
change in Japan is for postwar
liberal leaders to press for reform
in the constitution itself. He point
ed out that when Prince Ito, who
has spent years studying the con-
stitutions of Western Nations, pre-
senteh constitution to Japan in
1889, he insisted that while his
countrymen might take as many
ideas from Europe as they wished,
there was one they would not accept.
Japan, Prince Ito said. would coun-
tenance no provision that placed a
military leader under the control of
civilian political power.
That has not been changed to
this day, Senator Thomas pointed
out, adding he believes that during
the postwar period the Japanese
may make drastic changes in their
government and that one of these
will be to subordinate the military
power to the civil power.