The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-11-09
Chaotic Conditions Point
Toward Waning Prestige
BY GLENN BABB


TOKYO, Nov. Q -(P-The
Emperor of Japan 10 outward
appearances retains the religious
veneration and devotion of
vast majority of the 75,000,000
defeated and dazed Japanese,
but powerful ferments are work
ing which may chance this in a
few years.
American policy as executed
under General Macarthur has
been TO permit Japan to retain
the Emperor and use his unique
prestige TO make smooth the
surrender. occupation and pro-
gram of democracy dictated by
the conquerors. But there is 40
guaranty continuing Allied sup
por. for the Imperial Institu-
ton. and the ultimate decision
on the Emperor concept must
emanate from the Japanese peo-
Pile.
Thus far there is little evid-
ence Of danger to the throne.
Communists newly freed from
prison and other restraints clam
OF noisily for the Emperor's re-
moval but they are an infini-
tesimal minority. Nearly all 9TH
or parties which mushroomed in
the wake Of American-imposed
new freedoms call for demo-
cratic changes without touching
the sacred and inviolate' posi-
ton Of the Mikado.
CUSTOMARY RITES
Meanwhile, Hirohito goe S
about his functions as high
priest and divinely descended
ruler of his people with little
or no alteration of the ancient
Shinto Rituals. Last week he
performed the customary rites
of worship in palace sanctuaries
on Meiji Setsu, birthday of his
grandfather. Emperor Meiji, and
one OF the three big holidays on
the japanese calendar.
Next week Hirohito is jour
neying TO Ujiyamada in ancient
Ise Province, $50 miles south
west of Tokyo, to worship at
Grand Shrines dedicated to the
Sun Goddess, Ameterasu. Chief
Deity of the Shlnto Pantheon
and divine ancestress of the I'M
perial house and the japanese
race. To her he will report the
termination of the war" ac-
cording to official announce
ment. Apparently even divin-
ity must be shielded from such
rude words as defeat and sur
render.
LINKED TO CULT
But Emperor worship is mex
tricably linked to the Shinto ma
tional cult which militarists,
now discredited, made their
chief spiritual weapon. There
the numerous indications that
Shinto has lost vastly in popu-
lar esteem. Whether the Empe--
or concept can survive Shinto's
decline is a moot question.
I have found Tokyo's Chief
Shinto Shrines almost deserted.
On right, sparkling Sunday af-
ternoon, such as, pre-War, would
have brought thousands TO Meiji
Shrine on Tokyo's outskirts D
worship the spirit Of Hirohito's
grandfather, founder of the mo-
dern Japanese Empire, and to
enjoy its gardens and famous
pine groves, only four Japanese
were seen in the Shrine,s board
approaches, two obviously demo-
bilized army officers and two
giggling school girls. The main
Shrine, hitherto one of the main
focal points Of National Religio-
Patriotism, was burned in a fire
raid last April, but enough SUD-
sidiary buildings remain to give
the devout a place to worship
If they wanted to worship.
CROWDS FALL OFF
Attendance at Yasuk
Shrine. where are enshrined the
souls of all of Japans fallen
warriors, was not much great
or. Before and during the war
this chief temple Of the mill
tarist cult drew huge crowds
daily. Similar neglect was found
at the Shrine TO General Nogi.
hero Of Port Arthur, and other
Shinto temples.
On the same day, Asakusa
Park and playground at the 9TH
CIR and Of Tokyo drew scores OF
thousands. Long queues waited
for admittance to theaters and
movie houses, most Of which
escaped the fires which RACED
surrounding blocks. Throngs
pushed through the streets and
hactered with hundreds of curb
stone merchants whose small
stocks replaced destroyed shops.
II was obvious that Tokyo want
ed To forget the war and all that
bred it.
Shinto's manifest decline may
have far-reaching developments
in Japan's political as well us
religious life. An American
State Department spokesman re-
Gently announced thRt American
policy is TO make il impossible