DECISION TO END WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 55, 3 September 1945, Page 5

DECISION TO END WAR

THE EMPEROR'S INFLUENCE

NEW YORK, September 1. How the Emperor made his final peace decision was told to the "New York Times" representative in Tokio by one of a handful of well-informed persons. Cabinet, after the Potsdam Declaration, met several times a day. There were sharp differences of opinion about continuing the war, with the War Minister, General Anami, expressing the desire of the military caste to fight on. The army believed that the Allies could be defeated on

the shores of Japan, especially as hitherto idle military forces could be employed. Finally, the dispute was brought to the Emperor, who called a joint meeting of Cabinet, plus the socalled new Elder Statesmen, including recent Prime Ministers such as Konoye and Tojo, and also the Supreme War Council. General Anami argued that once Japan, was invaded, the atomic bomb could not "be further used, but after hearing everyone the Emperor ruled for surrender and General Anami thereupon committed hara-kiri. The decision was unanimous when the Allies replied that the Emperor's Government must accept the orders of the Supreme Allied Commander. Then the Emperor blocked further army opposition by appointing a blood relative, Prince Higashi-Kuni, as Prime Minister, which meant that the army could not offend the Emperor and upset the Government by putting the War Minister on the retired list. The present Government, therefore, is the first for a long time which the army does not control. The informant added that the Japanese generals and admirals lied to each other throughout the war, each afraid to accept responsibility for defeats. He expressed the opinion that it was not till after Okinawa that informed persons felt that the war was lost.