Evening star., 1947-03-09
By Russell Brines S

I'll Brines
Through East Asia generally the
anti-Americanism pattern follows
that outlined by Japans wartime
planners, who fostered nationalism
with the aim Of having q series OF
weak states free Of foreign backing.
In the Philippines many anti
American spokesmen are under
charges Of japanese collaboration.
They include Jose Laurel, former
puppet president. Now free on
bail, these persons have complete
liberty TO express their views.
! Unbiased observers say anti
Americanism has limited appeal
to the masses, but is being pushed
by persons seeking power.
Japs Nearer Democracy.
Manila has lively trade and an
almost frenzied social life, but part
of its war hangover includes ram
pant crime, a lowered morality that
makes chicanery commonplace, and
q confused political and social sit
uation.
| In Japan the ordinary person
seems sincerely grateful for Amer
lean assistance. Letters Of thanks
for imported food pour into occupa-
ton headquarters.
There doubtless are plenty Of jap
anese nationalist left, who may raise
an outcry against American when
the restraint of occupation is lifted,
but 1t is questionable at this stage
whether they would get the same
genuine support as in liberated
countries.
Occupied Japan, which had far
ther to go, has advanced further
toward democracy than her liberated
neighbors, but all Of them still are
a long way from American-style
rule by the people.
| The Philippines were closest to
the goal in 1871, but have lost
ground in several respects since the
liberation, notably through the
armed insurrection of the Hukbala-
haps, which has cost the government
some Of its richest provinces on
LuZon.
Under the Americans, Japan an
ticipates a series OF elections be-
ginning in April without any fear
of bloodshed. This could not be
said Of Korea, China or the Philip
pines.
Many examples could be given
indicative of the Democratic-type
changes in Japan.
Principal reasons for the Japa-
nese progress are the restraining
influence exercised by occupation
authorities against excesses and their
constant pressure to force a slug
gish government to inaugurate re-
forms. This sort of control OF
course is impossible in the nation
alistic liberated countries, which are
trying their own wings with an i'm
perfect knowledge of the principles
Of flight.
Political Amateurs.
For centuries Asiatics have been
accutomed to thinking in terms
Iof relationships and monopolies.
Democracy is alien to them and
will come only slowly in the absence
Of outside pressure.
The Koreans are politically in
fsntile, and the result is hush
Of so-called political parties doni-
mated by individuals who refuse to
cooperate, largely because of in
dividual jealousies.
Chinese officials have talked much
Of liberalizing their Kuomintang
government. Little has been done,
but some Americans in Marking re-
Gently said they believed there was
trend in that direction. Political
liberation would be meaningless,
however, with the government in
control of 80 per cent of the coun-
try's industry.
The japanese also are political
amateurs, and their government
still Is controlled by Conservatives,
but the revealing thing is in the
people themselves. Japanese in the
cities have become more and more
political conscious. Labor Is making
its voice heard and may influence
the next elections.
To the average Chinese, on the
contrary, liberation meant little, for
he still lives in a wartorn country
where military expenditures take
nearly three-quarters of the budget.
In the Philippines, political con-
sciousness seems to be heightened
but much Filipino energy is dis
sipated in name calling. Except
for outlaw insurrectos, no effective
opposition group has formed to bal
ance the governments control.
Brown