Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0249, 1946-01-31.

Summary:

"In my opinion the Constitutional Monarchy must be maintained at all costs. Though it is quite another question how the affairs of the Nation are to be administered," declared Premier SHIDEHARA in his first interview with the pressmen after the Cabinet reorganization of 23 January.

At first he outlined his intention at the start of the reorganized Cabinet as follows. "JAPAN is now confronted with the gravest situation since the t[illegible]e of her foundation. By far the most urgent problem today is to stabilize the people's livelihood. It goes without saying that the Government must concentrate its utmost efforts on this problem, but it is a problem which cannot be solved by the Government alone. Therefore I earnestly hope that the people will co-operate with the Government for their own prosperity. I am sure a path for the stabilizing of the people's livehood would be opened of its own accord if the people co-operated with the Government, not for my sake, nor for the sake of the Government, but for the protection of the living conditions of the people themselves. Such is my determination at the outset of the reorganized Cabinet."

Regarding the reform of the Government officials he said: "The people are always watching what the Government officials do for them. Really, we cannot expect the people's co-operation without improving many defects. Stupefaction of the people's mentality is widespread throughout the country. Unless Government officials first get rid of this general state, it is impossible to ask for the people's co-operation."

He spoke with regard to the Emperor System and revision of the Constitution. "With reference to the Emperor System, it is my firm conviction that the Constitutional Monarchy must be upheld by all means. I also believe that the majority of our people take the same stand as myself. The bill of the Constitution revision has been early finished by the work of Dr. MATSUMOTO, but as it is not yet complete, the time of reporting to the Emperor has not been decided."

He declared that the Cabinet decision to strengthen food controls represents nothing but strong action designed to help the people survive to the current foodcrisis. Then he said with regard to the Peer System, that he has no intention of going so far as to effect a complete abolition of the present peerage system, which, however, he thinks should undergo some revision. In this connection, he indicated that the projected reform of the existing House of Peers system will be undertaken following the revision of the Constitution.

In reply to a question whether the Cabinet has made any definite decision on the election date, he said that no such decision had been made as yet, as far as the Cabinet is concerned, and denied the rumor that the Home

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Minister has decided to hold the general election on 5 April. He confessed that he had no idea what the political situation would ho after the general election.

Questioned whether the Cabinet is prepared to quit after the general election, the Premier replied that he has no intention of sticking to the political powers that he now holds, but added that he will have to decide when to resign after fully examining the post-election political situation.

As to the Government's measures for the current economic situation, he said he would make great efforts to tide over the present situation with firm conviction, pending the termination of his premiership, notwithstanding the character of the interim Cabinet.

Full Translation:

Small scale events in the province of AZFRBAIJAN in IRAN, have developed into a serious international affair and become the focus of the attention of the whole world. At the United Nations Organization Security Council held on 19 January, an Iranian delegate publicly announced an appeal to the Security Council to investigate the dispute with SOVIET RUSSIA. On 21 January asserting that the British action in GREECE and JAVA was not only military action but interference with their internal affairs, delegates of SOVIET RUSSIA and the UKRAINE rabled a motion that such actions must be checked at once by the Security Council. This Russian request for the Security Council may be said to be the KREMLIN's answer to the British Government which was well pleased with IRAN's appeal to the Security Council. It is reported that the Security Council has decided to consider the Iranian, Greek and Indonesian problems on 28 January.

The origins of these problems and the development of the Iranian dispute are as follows. In the province of AZERBAIJAN occupied by Russian troops, a revolt arose in October, 1945, and the separatist forces occupied almost the whole of the province within two months and established autonomous government at DABLIS which is not only the capital of the province but also the second largest city in IRAN. It is reported that the leader of this movement is from the Democratic Party of the Communist Party clique and its president is a member of the latter party who entered the province secretly from Russian territory. The Iranian Government intended to suppress the rebels with its armed forces, but the Russian troops refused this. The reason for this refusal was that, if Iranian troops were permitted to invade the province, bloodshed would be caused and consequently RUSSIA must send mere troops to the province. At the same time, by enumerating such facts as that the rebels had used the arms of the Russian troops and that the occupation forces had confine Iranian garrisons, SOVIET RUSSIA denied the protest of the Iranian Government against Russian interference in Iranian internal affairs.

Of the general population of IRAN, the Turks and Mongals amounting to 25% and the Kurts amounting to 10% are races of the same blood as the inhabitants of the AZERBAIJAN Republic within the Russian territory and chiefly inhabit AZERBAIJAN. It may be said that persons understanding Russian realistic policies need not wonder at this event at all. In the province of AZERBAIJAN there are well-known oil-resources. That is to say, there are un-reclaimed oil zones estimated at several billion barrels around Lake ULMIA. IRAN lies between them and TURKEY and the DARDANELLES. But needless to say such a strong Russian desire for this district is incompatible with the British desire for the same district. Originally this district was the center of the British domain and IRAN is near the rich country of INDIA, through IRAO and AFGHANISTAN. Here GREAT BRITAIN has the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. whose oil output per day is

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estimated at 350,000 barrels. This is the reason why the Iranian- Soviet dispute has become an important international problem at this time.

A smell nation, IRAN negotiated directly with SOVIET RUSSIA for the settlement of the dispute and accused SOVIET RUSSIA of interfering with her internal affairs on behalf of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. But this problem was not solved at the 3 Power's Foreign Ministers Conference at MOSCOW. Now IRAN has again accused SOVIET RUSSIA before UNO. According to I.N.S. , ,on 15 January, at the meeting of the Security Council on that date a Russian delegate claimed that if opinion on the side of IRAN was investigated, it would become clear, that it was unworthy of investigation. ANDRE VYSHINSKY, the chief of the Russian Delegation also said that the Iranian opinion is entirely without foundation and that the present Iranian situation is a standing menace to SOVIET RUSSIA.

As to the Greek problem, BEVIN, the British delegate, declared that they were tired of the Russians' blaming IRAN and they hoped the Security Council would make a thorough investigation of the British stand in Greece. At any rate the way in which the Security Council, the pivots of which are the 15 Powers, U.S.A., GREAT BRITAIN, SOVIET RUSSIA, FRANCE and CHINA settles these problems will be a great test of the effectiveness of UNO.

Full Translation:

The Social Democratic Party held a standing central executive committee to re consider the problem of co-operation with the Communist Party in organizing a democratic people's front at 1300 hours on 29 January. In consequence of discussions, the resolution at the central executive committee on 16 January was re-confirmed as the fundamental principle, and it was decided that a committee for a co-operative struggle be organized. This committee consists of six persons: Messrs. NISHIO, Suehiro, MIZUTANI, Chozaburo, KATO, Kanju, ASANUMA Inejiro, HIRANO, Rikizo, and KONO Mitsu,

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