GENERAL MACARTHUR ON DEMOBILISATION

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 58, 6 September 1945, Page 7

GENERAL MACARTHUR ON DEMOBILISATION

NEW YORK, September 5. Japan today moved towards speedy and complete demobilisation under a blunt "step on it" order from General Mac Arthur. He has directed the commander of the Japanese Ist Army to report to General Eichelberger, commander of the United States Bth Army, at a time and place to be designated by Eichelberger, for instructions covering the American entry into Tokio on Friday, says a correspondent of the Associated Press. The commander of the Japanese 2nd Army has been instructed to report by radio without delay to General Kreuger, of the U.S. 6th Army, regarding the .American occupation of south [Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The Japanese commander in Korea has been instructed to make contact immediately with Lieutenant-General Hodge, commander of the 24th Corps. All Japanese merchantmen over 100 tons are to be subject to American supervision. The Japanese Government must provide at a time and place designated by General MacArthur a pool of unskilled labour for repairing roads, railways, docks,- and other facilities. | The personnel of the Japanese navy and merchant marine must remain aboard their ships pending instructions. All ships are commanded to train their guns fore and aft and also to make them inoperable. I The commanders of Japanese prison camps are to transfer complete control to the senior prisoner or internee in each camp, and also to provide rations equivalent to the best available locally for the army and civilians. The best medical care, adequate shelter and clothing and bathing facilities must be made available. Lists showing the complete names, ranks, nationality, next-of-kin, home addresses, age, sex, and physical condition must be provided. The burial places of dead prisoners must be listed. General Mac Arthur requires the names and location of all prison camps and the total number of prisoners and internees within 48 hours. ' The total of liberated prisoners in Honshu has reached 2289 with the arrival of 850, including 200 British, by train, plane, and sea. The British have been placed aboard British warships. A total of 2147 prisoners is coming from the Niigata area and 488 from Kobe in the next two days.