NO LENIENCY SURRENDER TERMS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 59, 7 September 1945, Page 8

NO LENIENCY SURRENDER TERMS

WORK FOR JAP TROOPS

(R.N.Z.A.F. Official War Correspondent.) ABOARD H.M.S. AMETHYST, AT SEA, September 6. It will be cause for satisfaction among New Zealanders who, in the R.N.Z.A.F. and Third Division, risked their lives in the Pacific, that under the terms of surrender signed today aboard the modern British aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory no leniency is being shown the Japanese. ■ General Imamura was told in no uncertain terms that his forces would be required immediately to comply with the orders to disarm. Any Japanese other than authorised police or guards found in possession of arms or explosives would be liable to be shot on sight without inquiry or trial. That warning was contained in a proclamation read to General Imamura by Lieutenant-General Sturdee, commander of the First Australian Army. "You will be the sole Japanese authority in the area to whom we will issue official orders and directions and instructions," he told the Japanese commander. "You are to issue orders immediately to your commanders in New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, and New Guinea to surrender to my troops in those areas." Following compliance with that order, General Imamura's authority would be limited to the Rabaul area and New Ireland. The Japs would be treated with firmness, justice, and humanity, the proclamation added, but they would be required to construct their own accommodation and confinement areas, as well as do the work ordered in the meantime. They will farm land so as to produce the maximum food for their own sustenance as well as that of the Australian forces, Allied prisoners of war, and local natives. ______________