Laurel outlook., 1947-10-08
Japan Forging
Ahead in Peace
Report Discounts Danger Of
Economic Collapse in
Defeated Nation.

TOKYO, JAPAN.-On the second
anniversary of Japan's surrender
General Macarthur declared tina
japan had become one of the few
places in a ~distraught world where.
despite an economy of critically
short supply, there is a minimum Of
fear, of confusion and unrest.
He attributed this to an occupa.
ton policy in which fright, rather
than might, has been the criterion
and urged that a peace treaty "be
approached in the same tolerant
and just atmosphere"
General Macarthur said the
treaty should insure that this de-.
feated country has the opportunity
to become self-sustaining, rather
than reduced to a condition of men
delaney. Japan should not become a
burden on the economy of any other
country, he said.
No Danger of Collapse.
Japan, he added, 'is in no danger
of economic collapse" and if "given
a just opportunity to live in freedom
and peace with her neighbors in the
community Of nations, there will be
no threat to the survival and
Strengthening of the democratic
processes here inaugurated under
the occupation.
"For democracy, one firmly
rooted in the human heart, has
never voluntarily yielded before any
other conflicting theology known to
man. If liberty and public morality
do not bring national stability, moth
ing can"
A year ago, MacArthur's anniver-
sary statement by contrast dis
cussed bluntly what he then termed
''the dread uncertainty arising from
impending ideologies which now stir
mankind"
Discussing the peace treaty, Mac
Arthur said history had proved that
"a people, given a fair chance, will
reach the niche in human society to
which their industry, their own
skill and their own perseverance
entitle them, without largess from
others-that largess stultifies rather
than quickens the private initiative
and individual energy so essential to
human progress.
ut is, furthermore, a false con-
cept which contends that democracy
can only thrive if maintained in
On the contrary, history
shows that it springs from hardship
and struggle and toll, to flourish
naturally in the hearts of men who
cherish individual freedom and dig
.ity-or not at all. A spiritual COM
modify, it is neither for purchase
nor for SALE"
Economy Rebuilt.
Saying that there "need be no
concern over fears recently ex-
pressed of imminent economic col
.apse" of Japan, he said the nations
economy actually collapsed during
he war, and since had been rebuilt :
10 that industrial production "has :
risen to over IS per cent of the -:
normal and the improve /:
nent can be expected to continue" :
The Japanese people, he said, :
are diligently endeavoring to ex- /:
the breach of peace for which :
heir nation stands universally con- :
lemned, to the poverty :
eft by war and defeat, and to ele- :
rate themselves to trusted and use :
ul membership in the family of ma /:
:
The occupation policy has avoided =:
vengeance, intolerance and injus- :
ice," he said, and has crested :
quarely on the fundamental con- i:
.ept which finds immortal exposi- =:
ion in the Sermon on the Mount" Z
Occupation headquarters posted (
is first prices on Japanese export :
.oods and readily agreed with the :
our comments of American buyers Z
hat costs were high, quality poor, Z
tyles old-fashioned and quantities :
canty. :