HIROHITO'S SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 57, 5 September 1945, Page 7

HIROHITO'S SPEECH

RECONSTRUCTION OF JAPAN Rec. 12.30 p.m. TOKIO, September 4. In opening the extraordinary session of the Diet the Emperor Hirohito called on the Japanese people to "surmount the manifold hardships and trials attending the termination of the war, and make manifest the innate glory of Japan's national policy, win the confidence of the world, and devote ourselves to reconstruction in every field." He did not once use the. word "surrender," but referred throughout to the "termination of the war" and the "cessation of hostilities." Hirohito said he had directed his Ministers of State to explain foreign and domestic conditions and the course of events that had led to his "extraordinary measure." He called on all Japanese to unite in service to the State with greater zeal than ever. The Lower House immediately adopted a reply expressing appreciation for the efforts exerted by the officers and men of the1 Imperial Forces, as well as the endeavours on the home front. The session lasted only 25 minutes. A member of the Diet, Yukio Ozaki, aged 88, speaking before the session opened, declared that a complete overhaul of education was necessary to Eound the laws of humanity into the cads of the people, and also to tell them the difference between right and wrong. Ozaki, who has long been critical of • Japan's aggression, lashed out at the Diet itself as being far short of a constitutional Government. He added that, in his opinion, the atomic bomb was necessary to make the people revert to their past righteousness.

of America. The garrison had offered no opposition to the Russian entry. Dairen is filled with fair-haired, stalwart Russians. Low, heavy Soviet tanks are parked at strategic points, and a lend-lease seaplane squadron is anchored in the beautiful harbour. Almost every building flies the Red Flag. The correspondent adds that "he destroyers Evans and Hubbard made a high-speed run across the Yellow Sea in a search, so far unsuccessful, for 123 United States navy prisoners who were taken by the Japanese from Guam and Wake 'Islands. They are now believed to be near Moukden. The Russians are co-operating in the search.

An official observer at South-East Asia Command headquarters told Reuters correspondent that unexpected difficulty has arisen in getting news of the surrender to isolated Japanese forces in Burma, due to the reluctance of the Japanese envoys from Moulmein to go among their own troops with the notification. The commander of the Japanese forces in Burma asked permission to delay the sending of further envoys until the result of the present groups' activities is known. The All-India radio stated that the British forces landing at Penang received a terrific welcome from crowds who lined the waterfront waving flags, yelling, and cheering. The general commanding the 7th Indian Division has arrived at Bangkok with advanced troops. He was met at the airfield by a Siamese guard of honour, and later by the commander of the Japanese forces in Bangkok, to whom he gave orders about immediate requirements. A correspondent says that when the first Allied planes touched down armed Gurkha troops sprang out and made their way into the long grass flanking the air strip. They were taking "no chances. There are not many troops in Siam yet, but the few Allied jeeps and trucks that have entered Bangkok had a warm welcome from the Siamese.