740.00119 Control(Japan)/6–1547: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
priority
158. For the Secretary and Assistant Secretary Hilldring. Cite C 53370.
Part 1, Wire services are carrying charges against American occupation authorities by Soviet delegate Vladimir Koretsky at June 14 session United Nations Committee for International Bill of Eights. Koretsky reportedly charged that “American-controlled Japanese Government is closing its eyes to Fascist activities in this country;” that “old Japanese military clique remains in power and is arresting political leaders and militarists [anti-militarists?];” and that “no modification of the feudal landlord system has yet taken place in Japan.” No mention is made refutation these charges either by American delegate or any American Government spokesman. It is strongly felt in highest circles here that such refutation should be made by some Government agency citing facts to counteract what appears to be first Soviet attempt to make open charges against American occupation before United Nations group. Allegations in question are entirely groundless and false. They are a repetition of Soviet propaganda line which has long been familiar to us in Japan.
Part 2. Since earliest days of occupation we have been attacked by Soviet press and other sources with similar empty charges. Allied Council for Japan, set up as an advisory body to give Supreme Commander constructive advice, has often been improperly used as a sounding board for this kind unproven and unprovable propaganda. The Khabarovsk radio beams five broadcasts daily to Japan carrying anti-American, anti-occupation and Communist propaganda. Four of these broadcasts are in Japanese language and one in English. We do not know purpose of the English language broadcasts unless designed, with hope as false as the charges themselves, to affect morale of our young American soldiers here who are setting splendid example to Japanese population by their democratic conduct.
As result of closest surveillance we know that the only false activities in this country are those being conducted by the Japanese Communist Party. The Communists recently launched a widespread underground campaign to expand their organization and develop and coordinate with it an organization of extreme Rightist elements. Latter have been sought by the Communists among repatriated Japanese officers and soldiers.
Even for propaganda purposes it is difficult to see how Koretsky could expect allegation concerning “feudal landlord system” to stand [Page 227] light of day. Striking at roots of feudalism, agrarian reform was got under way October 1946 to enable some 2 million tenant-farmers to purchase the lands they now work. Shaped to break down large landholdings into 2½ to 10-acre parcels, this program involves transfer of ownership of from 4½ to 5 million acres. It is 2-year program gradually increasing in momentum and by early March 1948, 2½ million acres will have been transferred to farmer ownership.
The threatened but abortive general strike set for February 1 was organized by Communist elements. Notwithstanding, strike would have restricted electricity, coal, food and transportation, water and sanitary services and would have thrown the unstable Japanese economy into chaos, neither SCAP nor Japanese authorities took any action against the leaders other than General MacArthur’s oral prohibition of the strike. There has been no police interference with labor, or political demonstrators except in the case of individuals who have turned to open violence. May Day demonstrations in which approximately one million Japanese participated were conducted without police or other interference.
Part 3. As Koretsky’s attacks may constitute opening of campaign in United Nations Organizations which we cannot readily answer here on basis of fragmentary news reports, we urge that State and War Departments adopt appropriate means of meeting false Soviet and other propaganda against the occupation.