Evening star., 1947-03-09

TOKYO. - American SUPERVISION
has given remarkably better life
to the conquered Japanese than lib.
eration has brought to many Of the
peoples of East Asia.
The Japanese also appear to be
considerably more appreciative than
their newly freed neighbors.
The United States has become the
whipping boy for demagogues In
liberated East Asia who blandly
have adopted the wartime Japanese
propaganda for their own ends.
These points were strikingly ap-
parent to this correspondent on a
recent trip in Korea, China and
the Philippines. Returning to
Tokyo, it seems like quiet haven
in contrast with the turmoil out
side.
The nature Of the Japanese peo-
pie has he.ped create this SEEM
ingly disjointed Situation. but bas-
ically it is due to the American in
fluence, which has brought meas
ure of honesty and efficiency to
Japan compared with a growing
confusion elsewhere In East Asia.
Japan Makes Better Progress.
AS conquered people the Japa-
nese cannot openly oppose Ameri-
can guidance. AS a result, their
government is relatively more free
OF corruption than some elsewhere
and their efforts toward rejuvena-
ton are more concerted and more
genuine.
American food has been brought
to Japan and American supervision
has made certain that it reached
the people. AS a result, Japanese
living conditions are generally bet
ter and living costs relatively more
stable than in some other countries
Many liberated peoples, intoxi-
Gated with new nationalism, have
dissipated their energies in political
battles and in individual quests fol
power. They have made slow prog
ress toward rehabilitation, but they
have succeeded with amazing skill
in alternating Americans who might
help restore their war-wrecked
countries.
These people are unintentionally
helping to insure that Japan again
will be Asias most efficient country
China is gripped by civil war and
an economic crisis. In the Philip
pines a small-scale copy of the
China civil war continues with
little prospect of settlement. Crime
and corruption are startling to a
visitor from Japan, where occupa-
ton authorities enforce peace and
prevent demagogucs Of left or right
from extreme use of power.
Shanghai Has Slipped.
Throughout the Far East, food
shortages and imitation are appar-
ent. in Japan as elsewhere. In Japan,
however, despite watered currency,
the average four-person family can
squeak by on $500 yen (nominally
s1o0) a month. In Korea the figure
is about 10000 yen.
Infinitely higher costs in China
swell with the uncertain currency,
while imported goods scatter to the
black market.
In Manila, costs are about five
times those before the war and in
currency considerably more val
liable than the Chinese.
Shanghai, under the Chinese, has
deteriorated to clamorous, dirty
upkempt city which is appalling to
those who knew it before the war
1t rapidly is losing all of the at
tributes which, under international
control, made it the foremost
metropolis Of Asia.
CHASTITY war ruins still mar the
center Of Manila. Elaborate night
clubs and gasoline stations are
springing up, but the Filipinos have
made only portion of Japan's ef-
foEt to remove the scars of war.
Tokyo, under the Americans, is
becoming a healthful, moderately
efficient and relatively peaceful city
U. S. Unpopular in Korea.
Aside from these physical factors,
there is contrast in the reception
given Americans in Japan and in
liberated countries. In Japan they
appear welcome and never encoun-
ter racial unpleasantness. In re-
gions freed by American arms,
milorities under demogogic leaders
are making Americans lives increas-
ingly unpleasant.
American influence is lowest in
Korea. Confused Koreans blame
the United States for the unpopular
Moscow decision that divided their
country in half under Russian and
American occupation.
officials in Seoul say the pro-
jected American Marine withdrawal
from China has caused an increase
in Communist activity in the Amer
ican zone and that active Commu-
mist cells are being organized by
Russian trained Koreans who slip
across the 38th parallel in increas-
ing numbers.
Koreans of varying compilations,
however, are pIunt and avid in their
desire to convince Americans they
are unwelcome
The five-year trusteeship decided
upon at the Moscow conference was
interpreted from the outset by
Koreans as a continuation of the
oppressive rule practiced by the
Japanese.
Hatred of this past vassalage has
driven the Koreans into demand
ing elimination Of their only help
ing hand in a period of grave un-
rest. Only the Korean Communists
S41t1nnrt tho