Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-23
Internal Jap Uprising
Believed Possible Due
Ito Winter Starvation
BY RUSSELL BRINES,
associated Press Fsreisn Cssrssp Esd

Associaaed FSAss Fsreisn Correspondent.
TOKYO, Sept. 22-Vice Premier
Prince Fuminaro Konoye declared
today that Emperor Hirohito was
the major factor holding Japan to-
gether, with the beaten nation fac
ing mass unemployment and starva-
ton this winter.
Konoye, q member of the royal
family, told correspondents there
was absolutely nothing" to report
that the emperor would abdicate be-
cause such an act would be dis
aStrouS."
Konoye explained that q special
session Of the Diet would have to
be called to amend the constitution
to provide for an abdication, or the
emperor could give up the throne on
account Of illness, in which case 4
regent would be appointed to assume
his place. The regent would serve
until the emperor's death, when
Crown Prince Akihito would ascend
the throne.
Precedent Recalled.
This procedure occurred in the
last illness of Hirohito's father In
1924, Prince Konoye said, acknowl-
edging such q program could be
followed II Hirohito intended to re-
tire. But Konoye stated he had heard
nothing Of an abdication movement
A battle for domestic political
power complicated the inadequate
efforts to save the country from q
cold, foodless winter.
The consensus of Japanese from
all branches of life and of man,
competent Americans, peering be.
hind the outward tranquility of the
the American occupation, was that
the situation might touch of poten.
TALLY explosive internal forces.
Thousands Doomed.
During the first three weeks Of
occupation these generalities ap.
peared with sharp clarity:
l. Thousands are doomed to di,
OF starvation during the winter anc
millions Of unemployed may touch
OF domestic outbreaks.
i 2. A relatively small number Of
liberals Is staging a losing battl,
even now for political influenc.
against entrenched oIgarchs.
/ 3. Japan as a nation Is thorough,
beaten and for months at least viii
be capable only of partial solu.
ton OF the major immediate prob.
lens Of national livelihood.
| 4. A vast majority OF the peopl,
are deeply grateful for peace, bu
for various reasons there is a gen.
eral letdown in the intense effort
demanded by the war, with a conse
quent lessening Of national unity.
Prince Konoye said the eabine
had begun plans to construct 300 ,0Ot
new homes, but serious shippinl
shortage and other transportation
problems had hindered progress to.
ward food importations.
Asks About u. S. Food.
He inquired Of correspondent.
whether Japan might be able to OBJ.
tain food imports from the United
States, and was informed they be.
lieved 1t very unlikely America woNc
send food.
Konoye told the correspondents
Japan's political trend was den.
nitely socialistic," which he ex.
planned as a sort Of modified indus
trial Socialism under paternalistit
management. =.
Actually the war left Japan in !
sort Of .socialistic- capitalistic STATE
with communications and many
production centers government.
owned and government control still
tight over all enterprises. including
those owned by powerful industrial.
lists.
The current government Is &C.
tually run by men who entrenchet
themselves during the eight-yeal
war period, led by strongly clannisi
bureaucrats. industrial and socia
oligarchs and politicians.
Small Group Hold Control.
i For the moment they WELD al.
most complete control over do.
nestle affairs, except those affect
ing Gen. MacArthurs occupation
demands.
! Konoye, who certainly is one o
the privileged class, was asked b,
a correspondent how strong wa
the actual desire for democracy il