NIGHTMARISH DAYS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21671, 24 March 1945, Page 5

NIGHTMARISH DAYS

JAPAN’S ORDEAL BOMB DESTRUCTION BLACK MARKETS RIFE (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Mar. 23. Japan under American bombings has become a nightmare of regimentation. shortages, black markets, desolation and general disruption, says the New York Times' correspondent on Guam. The radio spot broadcasts of air raids are a good show, full of action and drama and always with a happy ending in which the villainous Americans are forced to flee. Such broadcasts usually end thus: “There are no more enemy planes. Please exert your fullest strength to prevent the spread of fires.” Much of the broadcast time after a raid is occupied with advice to fire fighters and civilians under army direction. Citizens are cautioned to watch vacant homes and warehouses in addition to their own. Water for dousing the fires is the primary concern. Citizens are continually warned to conserve and replenish the supply. The Japan radio significantly announced that there arc numerous reemployment offices for persons whose factories have been burned down. Evacuees have become so numerous that the Government has temporarily called oil' all former regulations for the issue of air-raid victim certificates. Relief stations have now been ordered, in effect, to assist anyone looking like a refugee. Disruption of Services The Nagoya authorities broadcast that it v'as impossible to issue certificates to all victims in that city and expressed regrets that black markets are rampant. With the general, disruption of communications and the postal system dislocated. as revealed by the radio, the authorities promised to get the mail moving soon. The newspapers are so affected that central publications have been barred from areas where local papers are published. The big newspapers are required to lend inechanical facilities to the country press.

However, the general trend of the broadcasts indicates that home-front morale has been strengthened by the bombing. The Prime Minister, General Koiso, announced that the Government is organising an area-by-area defence against the expected American invasion in order to permit efficient resistance if some parts of the country become isolated. The ViceMinister of War, Lieutenant-General Shinayama, told a Parliamentary coinmittee that the recently-formed civilian special attacks corps would be constituted so that every citizen could be assigned to duty in the event of ap emergency. Special arms are being produced for civilian use. “Emulate Frederick the Great”

Lieutenant-General Sakurai, broadcasting over the Tokio radio, urged the Japanese to follow the example of Frederick the Great. “Without uselessly indulging in worry over the prevailing war situation, we should calmly place our hands on our chest and think our efforts are not yet sufficient,” he said. “Frederick the Great always put his haiids on his chest, regardless of victory or defeat.”

The Domei News Agency quoted the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. S. Odachi, as saying that the Tokio population is now less than 4,000,000 and mass evacuation is continuing. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Shimcda told a committee of the Diet that wheat and potatoes had been distributed and stored in great quantities. “There is nothing to worry about, even if by change the homeland is split up,” he added.