Evening star., 1946-07-14
Macarthur App|auds
Political Development
Achieved by laps
BY the Associo,ed Press

TOKYO, Sunday, July 14-Gen.
MaCArthur today applauded Japan's
political development under the oc-
cupation but declared that the ma
ton was not yet ready for an un-
censored press.
In the latest of his periodic re-
rOrtS on the occupation, the Su-
preme commander cited the forma-
ton of the government of Shigeru
Yoshida on May 20 as another
step forward" in development of
"a normal and healthy parliament
tary situation as it was done open
i and by democratic methods.
Negotiations were no longer re-
etriCted to secret conversations OF
the elder statesmen and circles
close to the throne, but were car
ried on among various political
parties and received the benefit of
iull publicity in the japanese press"
the report said.
Pressure of Public Opinion.
Resignation of the preceding cabi-
net was due directly to pressure of
public opinion" and this also was
AN encouraging advance Of ia
pans political Development Gen.
Macarthur reported.
As for censorship, he said its pri-
mary function was TO assure that
former militariStlC and ultranatlon-
aliStic influences are not imposed
once again on the press and other
media of information"
Gen. Macarthur reported that
while substantial sections OF the
japanese press have subscribed to
the supreme commands censorship
codes. there are numerous indica
tons that the time has not yet
arrived for relaxation of censorship
regulations. Attempts at justifica
tion Of the japanese war position
continue The press is now begin
nng to hint that heavy TepaTations
are unfair
Surveying the country S political
future, Gen. Macarthur said that
If the YOShida cabinet could solve
KEY national problems TO the ma
TONS satisfaction 1t may expect to
remain in Office for some time. II
it fails to do SO, it may have 10
give way to a new combination"
Situation Seems Stable.
For the present. the situation ap-
pears stable with no important
movement to unseat the ruling re-
glmc, he said and from the point
of view of developing parliamentary
institutions and practices the YO
Shida cabinet markeS a step for
ward III what must be a continuing
process.
The abinet represents the more
conservative forces still active in
japanese political life the extreme
reactionaries. n1iltarists and their
SympathizerS having been ellmi-
mated for all practical purposes.
j thus reflects the present balance
of political forces in the lower
house as established by popular vote
in the April election.
Over against the conservative
government is a vigorous and pro-
GresSive opposition which viii act as
a watchdog for the liberal groups
OF the populace and as gadf1y TO
the parties in power
1t will strive to take advantage
Of the government mistakes to
build up its own popular strength
with the aim Of eventually succeed
Ing to office
Low Rate of Grimes.
Other items in Gen. MacArthur's
summary included:
Relations between Allied person
mel and civilians continued on the
whole satisfactory with a low rate
of Grimes against the occupation
forces
A coal shortage continued to i'm
pede all heavy industries
Twenty thousand new houses were
being built monthly. with 250000
10 be completed by the end OF the
year
Government surveys indicated
that more than half the jobless men
were not seeking work because they
felt they could not stand regular
employment on a low-calorie diet.