Book Reviews and Notices : World in Transition. BY G. D. H. COLE. (New York: Oxford University Press. 1949. Pp. xix, 646. $6.00.)

• Date: 01 December 1949
• Author: Dell G. Hitchner
• DOI: 10.1177/106591294900200417
• Published date: 01 December 1949
• Subject Matter: Articles

635
Given in full, as appendices, are the Basic Post-Surrender Policy for
Japan, June 26, 1947; the Agreement of Foreign Ministers at Moscow on
Establishing the Far Eastern Commission and Allied Council for Japan,
December 27, 1945; and the Basic Initial Post-Surrender Directive to
SCAP for the Occupation and Control of Japan, November 8, 1945. Oc-
cupation policy and action are discussed in the text in the light of the
above and other basic policy papers, such as the Potsdam Declaration of
July 26, 1945, and the Presidential Policy Statement on Japan of Septem-
ber 6, 1945, pertinent excerpts from which appear at the beginning of
each chapter. The text also contains extensive quotations from other
important directives and summarizes a number of significant laws passed
by the Diet in pursuance of the aims of the occupation.
Despite the fact that the author does state a number of cautious
conclusions, as that, considering that we are attempting to democratize
Japan along Western lines with &dquo;incredibly meagre resources of person-
nel&dquo; who understand things Japanese, &dquo;the accomplishments have been
notable&dquo; (p. 49), or that the laws passed by the Diet, under SCAP stimu-
lus, for breaking up the Zaibatsu, can be regarded as &dquo;an impressive legis~
lative achievement&dquo; (p. 80), the principal value of this volume is that
of a reference file, wherein one can find the text and authoritative descrip-
tion of basic documents of the occupation. It will also serve as a useful
point of departure for further, interpretative reading on the subject.
WESLEY R. FISHEL.
University of California at
Los Angeles.
World in Transition. BY G. D. H. COLE. (New York: Oxford Univer-
sity Press. 1949. Pp. xix, 646. $6.00.)
This volume is a revision of an edition published in England in 1947
entitled The Intelligent Man’s Guide to the Post-War World and is
intended primarily for American readers.
&dquo;My book is long,&dquo; says the author in his preface, &dquo;but...