Evening star., 1950-01-01
Macarthur Tells Japs
They Have Right Of
|Se|f-Defense in Attack
BY the Assoeioied Press

tne 1nallenaDle rlgnt 10 SELL de
fense against unprovoked attach"
despite her constitutional renun-
citation of war, Gen. Macarthur
declared tonight.
The statement, in his annual
New Years message to the jap
anese people, was coupled with
strong praise of the no-war con-
stitution, however, and intimated
that no change was contemplated
in it.
Brig. Gen. Courtney Whitney,
head of the occupation govern
ment section and one of the su-
preme commanders closest ad-
visors. explained to correspon-
dents that Gen. Macarthur "had
no intention of saying the Jap
anese have the right to rearm for
war or to re-establish an army or
navy"
Gen. Whitney said the message
meant that Japan has "the right
to conclude defensive alliances or
deal with the United Nations for
protection. or, If attacked directly,
the Japanese can fight back with
all the power at their command" :"
Present Power Feeble.
Since Japan was completely dis
armed after the surrender in 1945,
and has remained so, the power at
her command would be feeble at
present. Most Japanese have as
sumed that, when a peace treaty
is finally signed, the United States
will keep defense bases in Japan.
Estate Department officials
in Washington refused imme-
diate comment on this question
but only Friday night it was
announce that the Joint
Chiefs of Staff would visit
Japan in February
Gen. MacArthur's self defense
statement, contained at the close
of long message reviewing jap
anese advances, is expected to be
surprise to the Japanese, even
though well qualified with praise
of the po-war idea.
He broached the subject with
reference to what he called the
two basic. unresolved problems
causing concern to every Japa-
neSe:
"1'he global theological struggle
brought close to Japan by the
Communist roll over China, and
the international procedural con-
flict delaying call of a japanese
conference"
Full Passage Quoted.
The full passage of the defense
topic follows:
Some contemporary cynics de-
cried as visionary Japan's consti-
'tutional remuneration Of the con-
cept of belligerency and armed
security. Be not concerned by
such detractors.
. "A product of japanese thought,
this provision Is based upon the
highest of moral ideals, and yet no
constitutional provision was ever
more fundamentally sound and
practical.
While by no sophistry of rea-
soning can it be interpreted as
complete negation of the inalien-
able right Of self-defense against
unprovoked attack, it Is a ringing
affirmation by a people laid pros
trate by the sword, of faith in the
ultimate triumph Of international
morality and justice without re-
sort to the sword.
Urged to Have Faith.
ut must be understood, how
ever. that so long as predatory
international banditry is permit
ted to roam the earth to crush
human freedom under it's avarice
and violence, the highest concept
to which you are pledged will be
slow in finding universal &C.
ceptance. But it is automatic that
there must always be first in all
things.
In this historic decision, you
are the first. The opportunity,
therefore, is yours to exemplify
before mankind the soundness of
this concept and the inestimable
benefit resulting from the dedica-
tion OF all energy and all resource
to peaceful progress.
In due course other nations
will join you in this dedication,
but meanwhile you must not
falter. Have faith in my country
men and other peoples who share
the same high ideals. Above all,
have faith in yourselves"
The no-war provision in the
Japanese constitution which be-
came effective in May. 1947, is at
tributed to former Premier Kijuro
Shidehara, now speaker Of the
lower house. Occupation officials
say he suggested it originally and
Gen. Macarthur approved it.