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18
The
PLAlN TRUTH
August 1971
industrial firms are being forced to look abroad for survival.
Thc bellwether U. S. auto giants are seemingly rather
unablc to meet small-car import compctition. Foreign-made
autos now total 15% of all cars sold in the United States.
Sorne fear it wi ll soon be 20%. Already the figure is 33% in
California and over 40% in the six-county area around Los
Angeles.
Henry Ford II said, "We've got to get more competitive,
but 1 don't know whether we can do it." To meet the
challenge, high Admioistration thinkers have suggested
proposals generally reserved for war-time emergencies.
One proposal would allow only one or two companies in
sorne industries to economize production to meet the foreign
threat. Also being discussed are attempts to eliminate ancient,
union-imposed work rules which impede gains in productiv–
ity. Funneling billions of dollars into research and develop–
ment in key areas is another idea.
Such legislation,
if
approved even in part, would take
time and it still might be too late. In reality, there would be
so much opposition to sorne of the proposals that the only
quick solution is likely to be a stiff dose of protectionism.
On this ugly alternative - which can only mean trade
war -
Mr. Ford remarked: "The consequences of
protectionism could
bé
disastroru."
•
U. S. Withdraws,
Japan Rearms
In a Jittle-reported move, Japan has quietly taken over
all air defenses of the Japanese Islands. Remaining United
States Air force combat units have withdrawn to Okinawa
and South Korea.
The United States will continue to keep about 27,000
military men in Japan. Most of these, however, are assigned
to supply and logistic duties. TI1e U. S. move takes place
while Japan is in the process of a modest but very tangible
rearmament program.
"The major incentive behind Japan's rearmament,"
reports a United Press International dispatch, "is the advent
of the Nixon Doctrine and the subsequent lowering of the
American profile in Asia."
Undcr these circumstances, Japan feels she must look
seriously at her own defensive posture and make concrete
plans to upgrade the Self Ddense Forces, the narne of the
nation's army, air force and navy. The SDF now totals about
240,000 volunteers.
A new five-year defense buildup plan, covering the years
1972-76, was announced this spring. The total cost of the
plan is expected to be about
5.7
trillion yen ($15.7 billion) .
This swn represeots ao increase of 250 percent over the for–
mer Self-Defense buildup plan.
Japan's strengthened forces will not, as preseotly fore–
seen, include nuclear weapoos.
last October, the cabinet approved the first Japanese
defense "White Paper'' since Wodd War II. In the 89-page
document the Self-Defense agency pledged the nation's armeC:
forces would be built up only as a defense tool, and it added :
"As for defensive nuclear weapons, it is considered that
Japan may have them in theory, without contradicting the
Constitution but in view of the danger of inviting adverse
foreign reactions and large-scale war, Japan wíll follow the
policy of not acquiring any nuclear weapons at present."
The language of the papee, therefore, left open the possi–
bility that at sorne future date the Government might decide
lo develop defensive nuclear weapons.
On the security treaty with the United States, which
provides for an American "nuclear wnbrella" to protect
Japan in case of an enemy attack, the paper said: "Since we
possess neither nuclear nor offensive weapons,
rmless a great
change occm·s in the intemational silllation,
we consider that
the Japanese-American security treaty system is necessary for
the security of Japan."
Postwar Japan, under military occupation, adopted an
American-drafted Constitution renouncing ' 'forever war as a
sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as
a means of settling international disputes." The Constitution
also pledged never to maintain " land, sea or air forces, as
well as other war poteotial."
Japan has had "self-dcfense forces" since 1950, and suc–
cessive go,rernments have interpreted the Constitution as not
prohibiting the "inalienable right of self-defense,'' which a!so
"in theory" could even provide for defensive nuclear weapons.
Clearly, broad-scale relations with the United States on
matters ranging from trade to mutual defense will determine
how far Japan will go in her cautious rearmament.
•
Rumors out of Rome
The Roman Catholic Church's proposed new constitution
makes it dear Pope Paul VI can retire whenever he wishes
without consulting anyone.
Since he is the highest authority within the church, the
Pope would not even havc to wait for someone to accept or
rej cct his decision before leaving his position.
Only one Pontiff, Celestine V, has taken the step of
voluntarily abdicating, and that was in the 13th ceotury. But
sorne Vatican observers speculate that Pope Paul also may be
considcring such a move. Close confidants of the Pope daim
the Pope has already decided to retire in the fall of 1972.
They state the Pontiff's declining healtl1 as the reason.
In 1966, Pope Paul visited Celestine's tomb without giv–
ing any explanation. Speculation that he might resign has run
rampant ever since.
In that year also, the Pope requested residential bishops
to hand in their resignations at 75. The Pope will reach that
age in September, 1972.
France's Jean Cardinal Villot, present Vatican Secretary
of State, is rwnored as a favorite successor to Pope Paul.
Two other French prelates are also listed as possibilities.
Reports Britain's "Evening Standard" in a recent dis–
patch from Paris:
"French diplomacy is taking very seriously the possi–
bility that the next Pope will be French. It has every reason
for doing so and every reason for feeling exhilarated at the
prospect."