Keep Cool

The Provisional Central Committee of Japan's Communist Party was disturbed by police efforts to keep tabs on top Communists whom General MacArthur barred from political activity last spring (TIME, June 19). To insure that lesser Communist fry should not betray their underground leaders through carelessness, the committee issued a directive on how to cope with police shadowing.

The directive explained that anyone shadowing a Communist was violating the law since the Japanese Communist Party was still a legal organization. Recommended anti-shadow techniques:

1) Proceed to your objective by a roundabout path. Circle it three times, keeping a sharp watch for enemies. If none are visible, dash suddenly into your objective.

2) If you suspect that someone is following you, walk past the nearest police station. When the plainclothesman nears the station, turn back in time to meet him at the entrance, seize him and take him inside. Explain to the police officer in the station that you've arrested the detective and demand that he be punished.

Not to be outdone in this phase of the cold war, the detective section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Bureau last week issued a service handbook with a special chapter on "Shadowing a Suspect." Salient pointers:

1) Wear noiseless footwear and, if the suspect knows you, wear a disguise.

2) Policemen are usually distinguished by their attitude, so don't act like a policeman.

3) If discovered by the suspect, keep cool; act nonchalant.

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