The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-08
! THE KE YWEsT CITIZEN Monday, March 9, 1884,
!Japan-U.S. Mutual Defense
Pact Is Signed In Tokyo
BY GEORGE MACARTHUR

TOKYO R-Japan and the
United States today signed a mu-
tual defense pact to give the Jap
anese both guns and grain and
hasten the day when American
soldiers can withdraw from the
island empire.
The mutual defense assistance
agreement-actually series OF
agreements-will pour 100 million
dollars of American aid into Jap
ans economy in the next three
months and probably amount to
much more in the long run.
u. S. Ambassador John Allison
said the agreement "takes US one
step nearer the time when the
United States can withdraw Its
forces from Japan"
Japanese Foreign Minister Kat
suo Okazaki signed for his govern
ment.
The agreement will boost Japan's
defense force from 100000 to 16O,-
600 men and hold it along more
military lines. The United States
will supply ships and planes.
The United States also will start
the movement of 100000 tons of
surplus wheat and 100000 tons OF
barley to Japan. And Japan will
sell the grain domestically and in
turn use the money for guns and
munitions.
The agreement was hammered
out in eight months of negotiation
which at times brought the Liberal
government of Prime Minister
Shigeru Yoshida under intense op-
position criticism. DESPITE Social
list opposition, the government ex-
poets ratification by April 1.
Allison emphasized that the pact
does not require Japan "to send
its young men abroad" He quoted
Secretary of State Dulles who said
recently the agreement would be
purely Of a defensive nature, di
rected exclusively toward contribut
ing to the defense and security Of
the Japanese homeland"
However, neither does the agree
ment specify that japan should moi
send troops wherever it saw fit
The agreement binding Japan tt
the Western democracieS in the
fight against communism provide:
for destroyers, tanks, jeeps, air
planes and other military needs
1t also provides for 7OO-man mill
tary advisory group to serve witt
the Japanese defense force.
Material given to the japanese
cannot be resold to other nations
The agreement is almost identi
cal with. similar mutual defense
pacts the United States has signed
with many nations.
Okazaki noted ''our participation
in the system of mutual security
signifies another step in our CO
operation with the free nations
The Japanese foreign minister
also said that the agreement was
purely defensive and bound Japar
to take up no further obligation;
than she already has "such as re
quiring the dispatch of our safety
forces overseas.
The exact amount or number o.
military items to be furnished j.
left inspected. However, Ameri
can military authorities are pre-
pared to 60 as fast as the Jap
anese wish because japanese
forces must be stepped up sharp
ly before any substantial Ameri
can withdrawal.
1--WE can support any kind of pro
gram they are likely to come W
with, one reliable source com
mented.
Actually, Allison and Okazak
signed seven agreements. These
are: M&
1. The mutual defense assist
ance agreement.
2. A purchase agreement cover
Ing import of surplus U. S. grain
3. An economic arrangement
agreement. This provides Japan s.
million dollars in surplus grain TO,
sale there. The proceeds are to b,
spent on military buildup.
4. An investment guarantee,
agreement. This allows American
investors the right to recover in
vestments in Japan and take ou
profits. Capital can be taken GU
after two years at the rate of 2
per cent yearly.
S. An agreement for the return
Of material no longer useful O.
needed.
s. An agreement to call the grain
procurement a direct purchase il
The event the Diet does not ratif,
the overall agreement.
Z. An exchange of letters Stain,