Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JULY 23, 1945. WILL JAPS. SURRENDER?

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JULY 23, 1945. WILL JAPS. SURRENDER?

is not unusual tvheu there is a dearth of neivs of actual events, more or less sensational conjectures and reports are forthcoming, the early surrender of Japan being the most conspicuous among these. It is to be hoped that the new optimism is warranted, but there seems little on the surface to justify it. True, the Japanese homeland is being bombarded and it is clear there can be but one result of the w 7 ar, but Japan’s situation is not so desperate as to compel the unconditional surrender demanded. Iler vullingness and ability to fight a long losing battle, costly to her opponents as well as to herself, is a bargaining counter that she v'ill not un-der-estimate. It will be noted that the reports of Japan’s early surrender come from sources that have made erroneous lirophecies before.

Looking at the situation through Japanese eyes, there is much, to oppose the claim that she will soon be down and out. Admittedly, Japan’s position has greatly deteriorated, and critically so in places. With the Allies’ mastery on sea and in the air, and the homeland seriously menaced, even Japanese patriots would admit cause for uneasiness, but might find encouragement in the reflection that Britain’s own position in 1940 was much worse, and yet she refused to surrender when all seemed hopeless, and by courageous perseverance and endurance won through in the end. Many a Japanese must be claiming that his country can now act similarly. After all, the Japanese patriots might argue, our armies still hold large tracts in Borneo, Malaya, Siam and China, and the Anglo-Americans are finding it .tough going' everywhere, even in the South West Pacific and Burma, where they claim to be mopping-up. The Chinese progress is due to Japanese withdrawals more than to victorious onslaughts, Singapore is still held, and the Allies would find effective landings on the Japanese homeland very costly and difficult. There is also Manchuria in the background. Furthermore, from the Japanese viewpoint, little would be gained by unconditional surrender now, as if the country is to be controlled by the Allies, the more harassing their task the bettor. The havoc and destruction caused in Germany, to gain victory for the Allies, is, to-day, adding to Allied difficulties in restoring and administering the conquered land. So would it be in Japan. Moreover, a helpless Japan might be a temptation to a Russia seeking Pacific bases, from which to threaten, perhaps, countries on the other side of the ocean. . It cannot be doubted that all these and other aspects of the situation are discussed in Tokio councils, and will have their influences. The Allies, too, will not refuse to face facts, and their gratification through recent progress will not blind them to the potentialities should Japan fight to the very last, with all the fanatical zeal hitherto forthcoming. Summed up, there seems little prospect of Japan’s early surrender, unless the terms offered to her are more generous than hitherto outlined. It is probable that President Truman lias submitted draft terms to his colleagues at. Potsdam, and that the Allies’ naval aerial offensives off Japan’s coasts timed to emphasise on Japan the wisdom j of seeking peace. It would be great news' were the Pacific War,to end this year, but| it will be a happy surprise if Japan, accepts soon the “unconditional surren-l der” terms, unless these are more lenient than have been officially forecasted.