Montana labor news., 1946-04-11

ern Korea they disarmed and imrris-
oned Japanese troops, officials and po-
lice. but they did not establish a mill
.tary government, Instead, they turned
the civil administration over to the
Korean liberation movement. which set
up elected Peoples committees in vii
lagos. counties and towns. By August
y the Russians had completed their
occupation, and these Peoples COM
mittee> were functioning throughout
the northern zone.
On September 6 1000 leaders Of the
liberation movement from all parts of
Korea and representing all anti apa-
ne>e groups met in Seoul, the capital
81 Korea. which is located in the south
crn zone. This meeting decided to form
a government to direct the extension
| Of the Peoples committees throughout
the country, and to cooperate with the
american and Soviet forces in liquidat-
ing the Japanese governmental and eco
nomic structure. They called this new
government, the Peoples Government
Of the Republic Of Korea, usually re-
icrred to in the press as the Korean
Peoples Republic. But the hopes Of
these leaders that they would soon be
able to take over the tasks OF civil ad-
m%inistration in cooperation with the
occupation forces were short lived. On
September s the Americas forces took
over the southern zone. Unlike the
Russians. however. the Americans set
up their own military government and
refused to cooperate with or ever
recognize the liberation movement and
it> elected committees. despite the fact
that II had been strong enough to force
major concessions from the Japanese
before the Americans arrived.
Then began two parallel campaigns
i'll the American zone. a campaign Of
SANDER against the Soviet Union, and a
campain to establish a Conservative
government in Korea, The first cam
paipn was marked by the circulation of
. wild rumors concerning development in
the Soviet occupation zone. with Japa-
n>c and rcactlonary Koreans joining
y ! 81 i >rrcadine lurid stories
i. Of Russian footing and rape, and of
sinister designs OF the L. S. S. r. 10
WIN a permanent ioothold in northern
Korea. There ruinors were "~debunked'
by various correspondents, notably Rob-
- u \fnrt,,, ~ .lo Nm. VI. D.
In their campaign to establis h a CON
sentative" Korean government. the
W. r'ran military authorities gave
backing and support to the most re-
dictionary forces in Korean political life
~ undermine the background Of politi-
ca developments III the American zone
II must be recognized that under Dapa-
nc>c rule a small number Of Koreans
were permitted 70 share in the exploi-
iat'on OF their country in return for
ihcir inll support Of Japanese polio,
and imperialist aims. This group i.
rcrrescnted politically BY the mislead.
nsl, named Korean Democratic party
and Il was this party that the American
military government supported anC
turned to Tor advice. All but one O.
ne members OF the advisory council Sc
'rcted to work with the military au
lAoriticS are members of the Demo
cratic party. Heading this advisor,
council i Kim Soung 500, the secon'
largest Korean landlord, who also ha
extensive industrial interests. Durin,
NE war Nm served as a director OF tn,
Japanese mobilization league, whicI
con>crlpted Koreans for slave labor i
Japan and tor service in the Japanes