JAP ELECTIONS NOT TO BE POSTPONED

Chronicle (Levin), 1 April 1946, Page 5

JAP ELECTIONS NOT TO BE POSTPONED

NEW ZEALAND AND RUSSIA OPPOSE DECISION. Recpived Sund.ay 9.15 p.m. WA3H IN GTON, March 31. Despite opposition from Russia and 'New Zealand, the F,ar Eastern Commission approved General MacArthur's dgcision to perffiit the .Japanese elections on April 10. The Commission received an explanation from General MacArthur as to why he considered it de sirable to proceed with the elections on schedule. The New Zealand delegate, Sir Carl Berendsen, after the meeting told reporters that he had informed the, Commission, even . aft.er examining General MacArthur's message, that he still fe.lt the time was wrong for the election, be cause it would favour established groups. Mr. Nikolai Novikov decliped to comment, but it is reported that he argued similarly. The Commission declined to discuss General MacArthur's reasons, but according to diplomatic officials, General MacArthur opined that elections now would produce as good a, Govejmment as any held' later. General MacArthur's reply, it is beiieved, maintained that his staff Jiad inspected all the candidates and ha.d ruied out any suspected of being linked up with former Japanese miiitary groups or wartime goverpments. General MacArthur deciared that, should an undesirable Government be elected on April 10, he would disrniss it and hold a pew election. Sir Carl Berendsen, who has twice previously urged that Pressmen be admitted to Far East Commission meetings, reiterated his protest against the CommissionJs policy of secrecy.