Evening star., 1953-11-19
Nixon Tells japanese
u. 5. Made Mistake
In Disarming Country
BY the Assoeioted Pres,

''~T~~'N'NN
TOKYO, Nov. 10. - United
States Vice President Richard
Nixon, in a bold bid for a re-
armed Japan, said today 1.-THE
United States made a mistake in
1916" when it ordered destruc-
tion of the remnants of Jap
anese military might.
Mr.. Nixon'S dramatic review
of American policy first startled.
then obviously pleased, some TOO
top Japanese leaders. There was
quick praise from japanese who
long have insisted demilitariza-
ton was costly mistake.
I'VE misjudged the intentions
of Soviet leaders, at the end of
World War II. Mr.. Nixon told
the influential Japan-America
Society.
Since then. he said. "the threat
from the Communist nations
with the threat centered in Mos
cow has prevented the free
world from living in peace.
Must Rearm for Peace.
1T is because we want peace
and believe in peace" Mr.. Nixon
added. that we (the United
States) have rearmed since 1916
and we believe that Japan and
other nations should share the
same responsibility.
I'VE felt disarmament was
proper in 1916 We looked ahead,
hoping against hope that it would
be possible to attain a peaceful
world.
Since that time. the Com
munist threat has gained in
poWer-warS have begun.
If We want peace. we must
be militarily stronger than the
Communist nations"
Informed quarters said Mr.
Nixon'S speech apparently inau-
gurated new soft line of per-
suasion in dealing with Japan
The japanese strongly resented
recent statements by Senator
Knowland. Republican. of Cali
fornia. United States Senate ma
jority leader, and United States
Secretary of State Dulles which
they interpreted to mean Japan
must rearm to obtain future aid
Strongest Speech of Tour.
Both Senator Knowland and
Mr., Dulles urged Japan to fur
niSh more or its defense forces
and to lean less heavily on the
United States.
Mr.. Nixon spoke from notes.
1t was the strongest speech of
his goodwill tour through the
Orient. Pleased japanese said
the speech was the first top-level
admission that anything was
wrong with the United States
occupation of Japan.
Mr. Nixon stressed:
Japan is a key bastion for
the defense of Asia.
IF Japan falls. all of Asia
falls.
Likewise, if Asia falls. Japan
falls too"
The Vice President and his
party leave tomorrow for a two
hour glimpse of the multi
billion dollar American defense
establishment on Okinawa on
the way to Manila.
Sees Premier Again.
Mr.. Nixon wound up his
Japan visit by comforting again
with Prime Minister Shigeru
Yoshida and other Japanese
leaders. then attending a special
performance of the traditional
japanese Kabuki drama.
Discussing the most controver-
sial issues of Japanese -Ameri-
can problems. Mr.. Nixon made
these other points in his
luncheon speech:
!. The United States wants
Japan and Korea to move them
selves toward settling an ex-
plosive diplomatic impasse over
fishing rights and other postwar
questions. to which we are
willing to contribute in any way
we can"
2. The administration intends
to try expanding japanese trade,
particularly to Southeast Asia,
and wants within the limits of
domestic considerations to see
that trade barriers ARE reduced
rather than raised" He did not
mention some Japanese demands
for increased trade with Red
China.
3. Mr. Nixon said he was sur
priSed that there is so very little
anti -AmericaniSm" in Japan. He
added his warm reception by
thousands along highways and
roads was "a strange way of
showing any resentment toward
Americans.
4. The United States intends