Evening star., 1946-12-15
theological ID. Split Clouds
Jap Occupation Progress
international Cleavage Blamed for Slowing
Task Of Bringing Democracy to
Backward Japanese
By Russell Brines

Backward
By Russo
TCKYO.-One Of the great trag-
edies OF this occupation is the un-
avoidable fact that neither prin-
.cipals nor bystanders have been able
to regard 1t with the necessary
clinical objectivity.
When clear thinking and honest
appraisal are vital, the actual prog
|ress OF the occupation has been
|ciouded by theological differences
emotionalism, personal hates and
|prejudices.
This is due principally to the
international cleavage. It has been
heightened by propaganda fed the
world by the Soviets and the Amer
leans. There are some go foreign
correspondents stationed here, in
Guiding Americans who are SO
sharply split into so-called left"
and right" wings that members of
the respective groups speak to each
other in chilled tones.
+ It is due also to the fact that
Japanese leaders apparently planned
their postoccupation policies to
preserve their power as fully as pos
sible. Most foreigners find it diff
cult to accept the japanese i'm
partially anyway. and subtle propa-
ganda has further upset this
| balance.
Witness Points Out Factors.
Without posing as an oracle, ]
would like to point out a few fac
tors-nzost of them self-eyident-in
an attempt to set the record straight
People change slowly anywhere
in the world. Even slower must be
! the change among people like these
here . medieval thoughts and
practices lie over the country like
a heavy fog: where the mechanics
Of keeping alive occupy most of the
day; where the incrustations OF
lifetimes unchallenged training are
thick and hard.
These people aren't democrats
now and they won't be for good
many years. Progress has been
about as good as can be expected
But everything is not as wonderful
as many Allied headquarters public
relations handouts say. Neither are
things in the muddle that is claimed
| by critics Of the occupation.
The Soyiets and Japanese leaders
want a short occupation for different
reasons. American officers do not
despite many pro handouts that
sketch. a situation so fine that every
one can go home.
Long Occupation Essential.
The plain truth is that a long ans
Ivigilant occupation is essential t.
make Japan the democracy we want
Japanese o1igarchs are fighting
lstubboruiy behind the scenss to saw
Etheir ecouoanics and political strength
las the battle grows closer to thu
heart OF their power. THIS is baset
lon exploitation Of the masses ane
funchallenged rule of the top crust
The people are used to this and mus
be educated away from it slowly.
In Japan, the extreme left and the
|extreme right are divided only by
Ihair. Left-wingers shouting democ-
tracy and rights for the common
people have no more idea Of giving il
to them than the now sullenly silent
right-wingers.
| Gen. Macarthur knows the JAP
anese probably better than any top
flight American officer. He has util-
lied their strengths and weaknesses
effectively and 1t is doubtful to
imagine any more successful over
all occupation than his.
But it seems that Gen Macarthur
in recent months, has become more
intent upon saving Japan for the
western Allies than in instituting
Ichanges that might eventually lose
1t to the Russians. Geographically
and politically, Japan is the key
point Of Asia and the Pacific In this
theological fight. Until the Soviets
change radically, there can be NO
! doubt that they are trying to move
into these islands covertly.
Prejudice Favors Japan.
II this theological struggle is
deemed worthy, it should be recog-
nized that occupation alterations
/ have been slowed for the higher
priority job of maintaining bull
!, wark against Russia.
American officers hold the policy
making jobs. A good Army officer
is a totalitarian, not democrat
and that goes for Russians here, too
This means that American policy
makers by prejudice are sympa-
thetic to Japan's oligarchs at the
outset, and many are more SO by
taking an anti-left-wing cut from
their boss.
The danger of that situation is
that while fighting the theological
battle many of these officers seem
to believe the suave japanese as
surances that everything is fine
|among the democrats" people
with that viewpoint, it will be
harder to turn back to occupation
chores when the time comes ant
WELD the big stick that will be nee
Iessary finally TO free the people.
! Behind the facade, daily skirmish-