Evening star., 1945-02-04
Experts Differ Widely
On What to Do to Japan
Each Suggestion Raised at Hot Springs
Conference Brings Opposing View and
Problem Is Left Far From Solution
By Silrid Arne


II, tonight, you could write the
orders that would seal the fate Of
the Emperor Of Japan, what would
you write?
You could exile him "in an ice
box in China" But suppose Jap
anese troops In China tight on after
Tokyo falls? United Nations lead
ers might need Hirohito back in
Tokyo to order them to lay down
arms.
Also, II he is treated too severely
he could become q martyr to his
people. In couple Of generations
they might break out into q war OF
revenge.
You might, as a Chinese has sug-
gested, give him somewhat luxuri-
Gus exile in London. But how would
women who lost sons at Guam and
Saipan feel to hear Of him rolling
of TO the opera in q big limousine? !?
You might order that he remain
in Japan as long as he's useful. Or
you might decorate his neck imme-
ditely with hangman's rope.
Would End Imperial Government.
All but the plan to hang him came
up at the recent Hot Springs (Va0
conclave of the Institute of Pacific
Relations, which gathered together
100 experts from IL nations border
ing the Pacific.
The majority of the experts agreed
that the imperial institution" must
60 in favor of democratic govern
ment complete with free press and
speech.
Some Occidental delegates felt the
United Nations should insist on the
governmental about-face. But sew
eral Asiatics, evidencing some dis
trust of the Western World, OBJ
jected that it should be left to the
japanese people.
What would you do with Japans
industry and trade?
That brought up the most compli-
Gated arguments.
The majority agreed that Japan's
army, navy, air feet and heavy in
dustry must be abolished. But how
to make sure, in the years to come
that she isn't turning out machine
tools to bore new guns?
Other Complex Problems.
Some felt that Japan's large in
dustries should be saved to turn out
consumers goods for the countries
Japan has wrecked.
An American suggested Japan's
skilled labor be scattered over the
devastated nations to help rebuild
Chinese protested that this would be
a sure way to preserve japanese
skills. What about when they all
return home to rush work on an
other war machine?
British pointed out that Japan
with so little land, must import food
and sell something abroad to pay
for it. If she can't, the United Ma
tions may have to feed her.
Men from India suggested q
psychological stumbling block: II
America and Britain strangle Japan
too badly, the Asiatic world may
suspect that the white world is try
ing to keep it in a secondary place
Liberals said that troops occupy
ing Japan must not put down riot.
too quickly. They might be demo
cratic forces bubbling up from below
The Criminal List.
Who should 60 on Japan's wal
criminal list?
Certainly the military. Some said
the rich industrialists and bankers
who aided the military. Others
argued that the industrialists may
be the only group with which the
United Nations military can deal.
Others spoke up for dealing with
the anti-Fascist japanese who have
been Surrendering to Chinese in
small groups.
Who should occupy Japan?
So that the Japanese can see that
even their own yellow race is against
them, it was agreed that Chinese
troops should make up the ma jor
occupation forces. A Chinese lead
er said he had no doubt the Chinese
would take the job.
What reparations should Japan
pay?
China will want some of her in
dustrial machinery. She will also
want all japanese property found
in occupied China and in Manchuria
and Formosa when they are re-
turned to China.
Trade Issue Rises Again.
What else? It was agreed rep
arations should be in goods. But