> 
> That's a use of simile. It shows MacArthur's "Eurocentric" 
> perception of the political maturity of Japan. 


I personally wouldn't believe Macrthur to be a pure eurocentric; after
all if it were up to him the pacific would get more american
resources.
> 





I snipped the above two paragraphs because i feel they are a different
issue all together.
> 
> In fairness, not nearly as much was known of Japan by Westerners,
> then.

agreed
> 
> > it was a condescending but was said to explain the rise of japanese
> > militarism, not to insult the japanese. japanese did feel insulted
> > however.

Well there are really a million analogies to choose from to describe a
nation domianted by militarists. APathetic, barbaric, less advanced,
unlucky, whatever.  He knew what he ws saying, as he had time to
prepare.
> > 
> 
> It's a stupid thing for a statesman to say in quotable form, because
> it's easy to take out of context.  


He knew what he was saying, IMO