TERMS THOUGHT LENIENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 225, 22 August 1945, Page 5

TERMS THOUGHT LENIENT

JAPANESE OPINION.

(11.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 21. Analysing the Potsdam Declaration, the Domei News Agency considered the Allied terms somewhat lenient compared with the treatment of Germany. The Allied occupation area of Japan was not defined at the Potsdam Conference and it could be construed that an attempt was being made to limit the occupation of Japan to the vital military, political and economic centres —entirely different from the total occupation of Germany Also, although the Allies intended to disarm the Japanese forces,, apparently they did not intend using Japanese soldiers as labour corps. The heavy industries would probably be dismantled, but Japan would be allowed tc continue her peaceful industries and have access to raw materials. The Potsdam Declaration also recognised the people's democratic leanings when it referred to reviving their democratic tendencies. The Tokio radio declared that a considerable number of Japanese military men resent the surrender, and said: "Some hotheads may allow their emotions to get the- better of their judgment. There is no telling what unfortunate incidents may occur, endangering the present delicate situation."

The radio qualified its gloomy picture by declaring that the Emperor's rescript calling for strict discipline ensured that the majority of military men would obey the Imperial order, and insisted that, even if sporadic outbursts should occur, Japan intended to leave nothing undone to enforce strict compliance with the Potsdam terms, which Japan bad accepted in all solemnity and good Faith. The Associated Press pointed out that considerable Japanese military forces remain intact without experience of actual battle defeat and with their morale unimpaired. The radio added that to disarm and disband these units and watch passively while the Allied occupation armies disembarked on Japanese soil, might he too much for some officers.