893.9111/86
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of an article by Dr. Sun Fo,46 President of the Legislative Yuan, entitled “The Mikado Must Go”, which appeared in the October 11, 12 and 13, 1943 issues of the National Herald, English language newspaper published at Chungking under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This article supplements an article by Dr. Sun entitled “For the Total Destruction of the Japanese Pirate Empire” which appeared in the July 8 and 9, 1943 issues of the National Herald and which was the subject of the Embassy’s despatch no. 1349, July 16, 1943.47 In both articles Dr. Sun puts forth concrete suggestions with respect to post-war treatment of Japan.
Summary of enclosure: Among China’s allies, especially the United States, there is current a mistaken sentiment in regard to the institutional position of the Japanese Emperor, devolving from an erroneous notion which attributes to him a position of spiritual and moral leadership to which all Japanese pay unquestioned respect and which they regard with blind reverence. There is also a mistaken conception that the Japanese Emperor is all powerful and able to control all Japanese elements, or that he will fulfil the role of a modifying and liberal influence. The Japanese Emperor and the cult of emperor worship should be overthrown when the Japanese are defeated. The victory over Japan must be decisive so as to preclude any resurrection of a militaristic and aggressive Japan and Japan must be beaten and crushed so that she will not dare entertain an aggressive thought for a hundred years. This can be done only by a fundamental revolution whereby the Imperial rule of Japan is ended forever. When Japan is finally occupied and the Emperor deposed and banished, it will devolve upon the United Nations, principally the United States and China, to set up organs of control and advice whereby democratic institutions will be introduced and developed. China need have no fear of a democratic Japan and such a Japan must and will take her rightful place among the law-abiding and peaceful nations. End of summary.
At a press conference on October 13, 1943, Dr. K. C. Wu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, was asked whether the views expressed by Dr. Sun in the enclosed article represented the views of the Chinese Government. According to the official Central News Agency, Dr. Wu [Page 878] replied to the effect that Dr. Sun’s opinions undoubtedly coincided with those of a large number of people in China and that a democratic Japan after the war would undoubtedly be a benefit to the world as well as to herself but that the conditions and requirements to be imposed on a defeated Japan could only be made known after consultations among the United Nations engaged in the war against Japan.
In spite of Dr. Wu’s tactful refusal to admit that the views expressed by Dr. Sun represented those held by the Chinese Government, it is believed that this is actually the case.…
Opinions similar to those expressed by Dr. Sun were given by Dr. Ho Feng-shan, Director of the Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a conversation with an officer of the Embassy on October 20, 1943. Dr. Ho stated that, in his opinion, at least 90 percent of all informed Chinese endorsed Dr. Sun’s proposal to depose the Japanese Emperor and that almost complete unanimity on this point existed in the Foreign Office. According to Dr. Ho, Chinese Government officials generally believe that a Japanese Emperor in the post-war world would be a “nuisance” as he would be the prime obstacle to the development of a democratic Japan which China so much desires; that the Emperor would be a constant reminder of the humiliation and defeat inflicted upon Japan by the United Nations and that there was no reason to believe that he might not again be used by the Japanese militarists for the advancement of their ideas. Among informed Chinese, Dr. Ho stated, the Emperor was generally considered to be just as responsible as the militarists for Japan’s aggressive actions.
Dr. Ho stated that Great Britain apparently favored retention of the Emperor whereas the Soviet Union, which might have to be consulted in regard to post-war treatment of Japan, is reportedly in favor of having him deposed for the possible reason that a democratic Japan might become interested in Communism. Dr. Ho expressed the hope that the United States would support China in advocating the deposing of the Emperor.
Respectfully yours,
- Not reprinted.↩
- Not printed; Dr. Sun proposed smashing the Japanese military machine, including execution of all officers above brigadier general, imprisonment of all officers from lieutenant, and exile of noncommissioned officers, and the industrial disarmament of Japan, including wiping out all heavy industry (893.9111/71).↩