KEEPING PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 3 September 1945, Page 3

KEEPING PEACE

MACARTHUR’S HOPE “BETTER_WORLD” FREEDOM AND JUSTICE ADDRESS AT SIGNING (9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 2. The Supreme Allied Commander, General MacArthur, speaking aboard the Missouri, said: “We are gathered here, the representatives of the major warring Powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored. “The issues involving divergent ideologies have been determined on world battlefields. Hence they are not for our discussion or debate, nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do the majority of the earth’s peoples in a spirit of distrust, malice or hatred, but rather it is for us, the victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone benefits the sacred purposes we are about to serve, committing all our peoples unreservedly to faithful compliance with the undertakings they are here formally to assume.

“It is my earnest hope and, indeed, all mankind’s, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge from the blood and carnage of the past —a,world founded on faith and understanding dedicated to dignify man and the fulfilment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice. Justice and Tolerance “The terms and conditions on which the Japanese Imperial forces will surrender here to be given and accepted, are contained in the instrument of surrender.”

General MacArthur added: “As Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, I announce that it is my firm purpose in the tradition of the countries I represent to proceed to discharge my responsibilities with justice and tolerance while taking all necessary dispositions to ensure that the terms of surrender are fully, promptly and faithfully complied with.

“I now invite the representatives sf the Emperor of Japan, the Japane:? Government and Japanese Imperial Headquarters to sign the instrument of surrender at the places indicated,” he said.

After the signatures of the various Powers had been affixed, General MacArthur said: “Let us ?pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God preserve it always. These proceedings are closed.” Thanksgiving and Rejoicing

Admiral Chester Nimitz, in his speech, said: “Aboard all naval vessels at sea. in port and also at our many bases in the Pacific there is rejoicing and thanksgiving that this long anu bitter struggle which Japan started so treacherously has ended. I take great pride in the American forces which helped to win this victory. Americans can be proud of them. “We also acknowledge the great contribution to this victory made by our valiant Allies. United we fought, united we prevail. “Tokio, which was first opened by Commodore Perry in 1853, is now crowded with United States man-o’-war. The process to bring Japan into a family of civilised nations, which was interrupted when Japan launched her programme of conquest, will soon begin again. To-day, all freedom-loving peoples rejoice in victory and feel pride in the accomplishments of our combined forces. We also pay tribute to those who defended our freedom at the cost of their lives. Rigid Enforcement of Terms

“To achieve the objects for which men died, it will be necessary for the United Nations to enforce rigidly the peace terms that will be imposed on Japan. It will also be necessary to maintain our national strength at a level which will discourage future acts of aggression, aimed at the destruction of our way of life.

“Now, as we turn to the great tasks of reconstruction and restoration, I am confident that we will be able to apply the same skill, resourcefulness and keen thinking to these problems as were applied to the problems of winning victory.”