OCCUPATION GAMBLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1945, Page 5

OCCUPATION GAMBLE

MACARTHUR’S ADMISSION “STAKES WERE WORTH IT” JAP. CO-OPERATION VALUABLE

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) k TOKIO, September 17. Probably no greater gamble was taken in history than the initial ’landings in Japan, where the occumtion forces were outnumbered by ioOO to one by armed Japanese, but the stakes were worth it, said Gen eral MacArthur to-day. He explained that the unknown nnantitv at the outset ol the occupation was whether an Allied Military Government would be requited Ho be established. This would have involved several million troops, but by working with the existing Japanese Government, the purposes of the surrender terms would be accomplished with only a small fracttion of men, time and money. . The occupation forces were drastically cut and troops would be returned to the United States as rapidly as ships were available, within six months, unless unforeseen factors arose. Once Japan was disarmed, a force of 200,000 would be sufficiently strong to ensure the Allied will. The questions involved were entirely independent pl the fuUiref Japanese political and governmental structure on a national and international plane This, problem was one of which the ultimate so-i ffition necessarily, awaited the com- , pletion of the military phase of the surrender. ■ MACARTHUR’S ORDERS | TOKIO, September 17. | General MacArthur has ordered. Prince Higashikuni, Prime Minister, | to Impound and to report to him , '^i s set ay and P recol! iS 0l cXo P 1 , led P nr in part of the Japanese Government; and of nationals in German? ItMy, Bulgaria, Finland, Siam Rumania, and Hungary. This lis. o. Japanese-controlled property include that held in foreign countries. General MacArthur also has demandnrl within a week, a report on the nronertv and records of Unrted Nations and of their nationals seized by Japanese during .the war. These instructions show that Gen eral MacArthur is using a new and stiffer policy towards the Japanese who rapidly are becoming convinced that he means business. General MacArthur has instructed his officers to Give th" Japanese orders not to discuss matters with them, and has rigidly cmforced a policy of non-fratermsa-tion.

MORE_ARRESTS TOKIO, September 17. American and Japanese authorities have arrested 25 of the 39 Japanese whose names are on Gencial MacArthur’s list. Two on the list ha\<committed suicide Twelve ot nose nn thn list are still free. ueneiai Shigemori Togo is one of the latest to lie arrested. Biack Seven members ol die Dragon Society have been ordered. be arrested. So lar, ot \ Hashimoto has been m S». The U.S. Mutual Bromcj oastin 0 ’ Corporation saifi. Ihe ai ie. . of tlie°head 'of the Black Dragon Society is expected soon. . . Vice Admiral Terashima, Ministei of Communications and Railways, in the Tojo Cabinet has surrendered. ANOTHER SUICIDE (Rec. 19.30 a.m.) TOKIO. Sept. I n "Asahi" reports that LieutenantGeneral Yoshio Shinotsuka, a member of the Supreme Wai Conned, committed suicide by cuitmg his throat with a Samurai s„oid Shi notsuka was Tojo’s classmate at the Army Officers,' School. FOREIGN SECRETARY 'RESIGNS (Rec. 10.5 a.m.)”" TOKIO. Sept. 17. Well informed Japanese souices report that Shigemitsu has rer-igned, savs the Associated Riess nondent. Shigeru Yosmda. lormei Ambassador to London, is r&ported to have succeeded Shigemitsu, whose resignation was requested becausthe first stage of the occupation wa» completed.

INFORM ATI ON PROGRAMM E

(Rec. 10.30 a.m..' TOKIO, Sept. 17. General MacArthur instituted . a broad information programme which is designed to convince every .Japanese of the Empire’s defeat, war «uilt reveal atrocities, eliminate militarism, and encourage democratic principles. The Associated Press correspondent says the programme, which will use the Press films, radio and schools, will be conducted by a new ■“information dissemination section, under General MacArthur’s military secretary, Brigadier-General Bonnei Feller. Initially, the section will operate through the Japanese Board of Information, which the militarists used for spreading domestic international propaganda. Japanese newspapers and radios must present certain items, including factual descriptions of the atrocities. “BLACK DRAGON” CHIEF NEW YORK, September 17. A “Herald-Tribune” correspondent in Tokio stated: The dreaded Black Dragon Society have . gone underground, with their aims firmly implanted in several youth movements. I have talked with a self-admitted boss of the Black Dragons He is Yoshihisa Kuzuu, a patriarch of <O, with a wispy beard, rheumy eyes, and a parchment-like skin. He wore a spiritualistic dress of the society of the black kimono. He looked as though he had just stepped out of a rare old Japanese print. He smilingly disclaimed all knowledge ol murders committed by Black Dragon strong arm squads, but admitted: “Some members may have committed murders on their own responsibility, without orders from above.” Kuzuu said that he not only was the last president of the society, but the last official member. He claimed that he wound up the society last month bv turning its documents in to the Japanese Home Office. General MacArthur’s order for the abolition of the society, he said, was superfluous. Since he became president in 1938, the society had engaged solely in social enterprises. The war was inevitable. Japan had lost because she ran out of weapons. TOJO’S RECOVERY LILYWHITE CLAIMS NEW YORK, Sept. 17. An Associated Press correspondent at Tokio states: General Tojo is recovering so rapidly that he may be released from the hospital in from ten to fourteen days. Brigadier General George Rice, who is a surgeon, marvelled at the 62-years old General Tojo's recuperative power. He said: “I have never seen anything like it for a man of his age. It would be marvellous if we could get our soldiers in the battle areas to react in the same way.”

General Tojo’s removal from the hospital may, however, be delayed by lack of suitable gaol quarters for him. General Tojo is too ill to see visitors,

but he answered four of our six written questions that were asked by a Press correspondent. He said that he had insisted on Cabinet’s acceptance of the Potsdam declaration with the understanding defined in the note that was sent to the United States through Switzerland. He remarked: “Some of the Ministers were of the opinion that, we should ask for more conditions, but, finally, it was decided to act according to my opinion.” ' lie was asked whether he changed his personal attitude during the war. He replied: “Being a witness ot the disaster in the last world war all over Europe, I had, and still have not changed my belief that we should do all we can to avoid war.” Asked what he believed that Japan must do to regain her place in the family ol nations, he declined to answer. . . , Mrs. Tojo said: It is very important that my husband be kept alive. He has much to say to the American authorities. He is a straightforward man, and has always worked lor peace. , , An Associated Press correspondent in Tokio stated that when General Togo was informed he was on General MacArthur’s list of war criminals, Togo, like the other arrested Japanese, exhibited injured surprise. He told the correspondent that he had entered General Tojo’s Cabinet only after General Tojo assured him that’ every effort would be made to ensure the success of peacemul negotiations in the United States. He added that when he again became Foreign Minister, he opposed the militarists in the Cabinet, and he fought successfully to end the war. JAP. DEMOCRACY TOKIO, September 17. Tsuneo Kanamitsu, a former leader of the disbanded Great Japan Political Society, said, in an interview, that Japan’s re-awakening to democratic ideals will be slow, and it may appear lukewarm to Allied Powers. . Kanamitsu said he believed that platforms of parties replacing the totalitarian organisation will be meaningless platforms if they are forced on parties from without. He is having nothing to do at present with new parties, because he wants to give the old members of his party .time to consider the tenets of coming parties. He remarked: “Before long, parties will come into existence. Some parts of their platforms may not be along lines which you Allied nations admire or approve, but will make for health. They will mean political development in Japan—to walk midway, and neither to the right nor to the left. We must gradually lead the nation to better ideals of international relations. Politics must be handled by disciplined politicians, and economics by trained businessmen.”

JAP. PRESS COMMENTS

TOKIO, September 16. A paper here, the “Nippon Times," in an editorial, commented: “The Allied Press claims that the Japanese, although they have been defeated, do not seem to have any sense of guilt. This has. heretofore, been due to the fact that the people were not informed of anything, occurring outside or inside the country, except what was convenient to the ruling militarists. Now the people know what shameful deeds were perpetrated they must demand that this shame be cleansed. It must be the hope of Japanese neople that the perpetrators of these sordid, brutal crimes shall quickly be brought to justice, not only to pay for misdeeds, but to rid the Japanese race of such bestial elements.” The “Nippon Times.” in another editorial, said it welcomed the coming participation of women in politics. It said: “Women possess a higher standard of morality than men. If women are allowed to participate in politics, they will inject a purity, loftiness and beauty which are now lacking.” Japanese newspapers on Sunday for the first time published accounts of Philippines atrocities under a heading 'reading: “Typical Japanese Atrocities During the Liberation of the Philippines.” CHINESE DEMAND. SINGAPORE. September 17. A banner stretched across the mam street of the Chinese section oi Singapore appeals to the United Nations to return General Yamashita (who commanded in the Philippines) to Singapore for trial as a war criminal. because, it says, he is lobe held responsible for the deaths of thousands of Singapore Chinese at the hands of the occupation army’s secret police.

JAPS IN CHINA

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, September 17. General Ho Yingchin, announced that all Japanese soldiers and civilians in China would be deported to Japan as transport become available. Meanwhile they would be segregated. ANGLO-U.S.A. AWARDS (Rec. Noon). LONDON, September 17. At SEAC headquarters, Lord Mountbatten received the American D.S.M. and Lieut-General Wheeler, the British K.8.E.. at a double investiture, marking the close association between the ton British and American commanders. The D.S.M. was presented .to Lord Mountbatten for exceptionally meritorious distinguished service to the United States as Commander of SEx'XC. General Wheeler received the K.B.E. for similar service to the British Empire as Deputy Supreme Commander and principal administrative officer. The American citation said that Lord Mountbatten’s conduct in the combined operations in South-east Asia resulted in a military achievement of international renown. JAPANESE CRUELTIES. MOUNTBATTEN’S COMMENT (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. “I have been shocked and horrified at first-hand accounts from liberated prisoners of war. I am determined that no Japanese responsible for these inhuman bestial practices shall escape justice,” said Lord Mountbatten in a SEAC. communique issued in London after his return from Malaya. “But this justice must follow their conviction and must conform to the accepted civilised code.” Lord Mountbatten expressed disapproval of petty humiliations —such as being publicly forced to touch the forehead to the ground—as reported to have been inflicted on the Japanese commander awaiting trial at Singapore as war criminals. He said he was in Singapore at the time of the reported incident. “I immediately took steps to make it clear I would not tolerate individual reprisals against Japanese prisoners. I ordered disciplinary action to be taken against the officer responsible. We, by bullying in a childish way, would only descend to the level of these very' elements among the Japanese

which we fought the war to eliminate.” EVACUATION”PROGRESS SINGAPORE, September 17. The third aircraft of New Zealand prisoners of war flight took off early this morning with 1G more civilians and prisoners of war, bringing the total evacuated by air to 48. The organisation is now working very smoothly. The evacuees are accommodated in a comfortable house, while waiting for air passage and given special food, good clothes and proper medical attention. As far as is ; known only about 20 persons remain |to be moved from Singapore, but it is expected that more will arrive from Sumatra and Java any time. < Reports of a number of New Zea--1 landers in camps in the Netherlands and East Indies are far from precise, but inquiries among returning Australians and British soldiers who are streaming in by air, indicate • that there are few New Zealanders at the main camps. A New Zealand prisoners of war flight reconnaissance party, which was sent to survey the situation in Java and Sumatra, is due back today. Meanwhile, there has been a hitch in the evacuation of Australians and British away from Singapore. An Australian troopship has been delayed because Australian RAPWI authorities refused to allow their evacuees to occupy troop decks, although the ships are being loaded with only 60 per cent of their trooping capacity. A number of British civilian internees walked off the troopship, yesterday, complaining about the accommodation and food. A few New Zealanders, who elected to return by sea, may be affected by the present difficulty, but before the end of the week no Singapore evacuees will be left here. (Rec. Noon).

LONDON, September 17. An officer at Singapore replying to complaints of internees who walked off the troopship Almanzora, explained that they were accidentally allotted accommodation according to military instead of civilian plans. Only six internees walked off the ship. The remainder when asked if they wished to leave replied they preferred to see the voyage through. CHINESE~EXECUTED. (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) BRISBANE, September 18. Forced by the Japanese in Singapore to drive their trucks, an Australian prisoner, Driver C. M. Barnier, had the gruesome task of taking Chinese civilians to their executioners, watching their heads fall into the main street and then drive through the city in the truck, from which the heads of • the executed Chinese were displayed on poles. Barnier, the only Australian to witness a Japanese execution of civilians on a large scale, will appear before the Board in Sydney, to five evidence on enemy atrocities. Barnier was one of the 43 prisoners of war who landed at Brisbane from Singapore, He tells how, after picking up Chinese men and women in his truck, he drove them to the Japanese courthouse. “They were inside only a few minutes, then were taken to the hotel opposite. Through the doorway of the hotel I saw Japanese . guards raise their swords high. Then I saw the heads of these Chinese roll out into the main street.” Barnier says that every morning he was forced to drive to some quarter of Singapore, pick up Chinese men and women and take them to the courthouse. After a summary trial they wore taken to an hotel and executed.

BORNEO “DEATH MARCHES” SYDNEY, September 17. Sick Allied prisoners were taken .for “death marches” through Borneo mountains round the Sandakan camp. These marches were partly responsible for appalling mortality. Only six prisoners are known to have survived from 2,550 in the Sadakan area. Until September. 1944, twenty deaths wore reported among the Sandakan prisoners, but from ihat time on, malnutrition arid disease began to take toll and the mortality rate gained an appalling momentum. It was in January this year that 453 prisoners were sent on the first ‘death march" through rugged Borneo mountains to Ranau, about 100 miles west of Sandakan. Some 230 reached Ranau, and 223 died on the way. In May a second _ “death march” was organised. This time 536 set out, but only 183 reached the destination. Of thp remainder, 45 were reported to have been killed for trying to escape, while 306 died on the way. The Japanese say that of 413 who survived marches to Ranau, seven were killed, while attempting to escape, and the remaining 406 died.

MASSACRE OF NURSES SYDNEY, September 17. Mr Forde, Minister for the Army, declared: “Australia will never forget,” when he was describing the massacre of the nurses at Sandakan. He said: “These were two of the worst atrocities ever perpetrated in the world's history. This is a further proof of Japanese barbarity. It lays emphasis on the need for pounding up the Japanese war criminals and bringing them to book.” SINGAPORE, September 17. Further details of the massacre of nurses show that after the sinking of the “Vyner Brooke,” her passengers were fired on while struggling in the sea. Those who were not drowned or killed landed from lifeboats and rafts at separate places on the banks of the island. Many survivors, including children, were killed on the beach soon after landing. All of the party that got ashore would have been slain had they not escaped observation by a Japanese patrol, which killed the earlier ones. The “Vyner Brooke’s” passengers ■ were widely scattered during the night after the sinking, and parties landed at various places along the beach. To this fact most of the survivors ov/e their lives. After being rescued on Sunday, survivors were taken to hospital. Some were human skeletons, barely able to walk, and others were painfully thin after three and a-half years of privations. ATOMIC BOMB FOR SHIP. NEW YORK,” September 17. A Japanese battleship the Nagato, during the war withstood an attack by 500 American carrier-planes. She will now be towed 500 miles out to sea and will there have an atomic bomb dropped on her, according to the United States Navy’s present plans, said a New York “Times’s” correspondent at Tokio.

The American Navy wishes to discover whether an atomic bomb can destroy a single ship, also what it could do to a task force, and what effect it will have on water. Reports from Hiroshima and Nagasaki on which atomic bombs were dropped, indicate that the force of the explosions there was upwards and not ■downwards. The American Navy considers that the most dangerous effect could be that under water, where the sea pressure magnifies greatly the effect of a torpedo, or a mine. The Navy is inviting representatives of the Press ■to view its experiment’. . The Nagato was directly hit three times on July 18 by planes, but the 14-inch armour of her turrets withstood the attacks. The damage done was only superficial though widespread.