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46
Personal
(Continued from page
2}
and a population of 500,000 at war's
end has also increased by normal
growth. There are now sorne 800,000
Okinawans living on this largest of the
islands. There are 71 or 72 islands alto–
gether, in the Ryukyus. Half of the
800,000 Okinawans live between Koza
City and the area immediately south of
Naha. The northern part of the island
is hilly and sparsely settled.
The General commented on the fact,
already known by us, that Dr. Ohama
was boro on the most southwesterly
island, and is known throughout the
Ryukyus as "Mr. Okinawa."
In addition to the Okinawans, of Japa–
nese ancestry, there is a large American
population. This includes wives and
families of military personnel and the
civil administration authorities. There
also is a small American business com–
munity. There is no significant popu–
lation of other nationalities or races.
The Americans, he said, appear very
conspicuous and thus automatically raise
all sorts of problems. To these he and
his organization apply reasonable and
intelligent methods. But he admitted
they were not always successful in
resolving all problems.
The real problem is this large oum–
ber of a
different
people, superimposed
upon this local population, on a small
island, that provides the problems.
When the civil government reverts
back to Japan next year, the General
mentioned that military bases will con–
tinue to exist on the same legal basis as
on Japan proper. These bases will be
governed by various agreements. This
provides highly complicated problems,
and planning is oow being carried on in
Tokyo and Washington.
Meanwhile, in Okinawa, the High
Commissioner aod the Chief Executive,
Mr. Yara, are working on more minor
problems such as highways (this ap–
peared tome to be a
.MAJOR
problem),
utilities, etc. Schools will no Jonger be
AMERICAN PRESENCE IN OKINAWA
-
Right, huge C-141 troop and
cargo transports - the workhorse planes of the Military Airlift Command -
on Okinawa Air Base. Above, U. S. soldier with Okinawa n boy- less tense
moment in relations between U. S. and Okinawans.
the official responsibility of the United
States. Sorne $54,000,000 worth of
school buildings constructed by U. S.
funds, for example, will be turoed over
to the Ryukyuan Government.
I had mentioned about my arrival
in
Tokyo on the day of the riot, and my
discussion with Prime Minister Sato the
following Wednesday. The General now
returned to this subject.
The riot, he said, was a distressing
event - really the first such event in
the history of the U. S.-Okinawan exis–
tence. Demonstrations, in the typical
Japanese pattern, however, were a com–
mon occurrence. Sorne 200 to 15,000
people begin such a demonstration with
a peacefuJ gathering, followed by a
proclamation of resolutions, and then a
parade - usually a rather quiet, well–
organized and disciplined affair.
The day before the Koza City riot,
there had been a typical demonstration
against our mi!itary activities.
lt
was the
beginning of a holiday period on the
island, and people had more money
than usual - it also happened to be the
time of bonus distributions. It was late
Saturday oight, and people were cele–
brating, in typical maoner.
At 2 a.m. there were two minor
automobile accidents, oeither involving
serious damage. In one, however, a
pedestrian was slightly injured by a
vehicle driven by an American Gl. In
the second accident, two automobiles