The Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1945. Now Russia Against Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 4

The Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1945. Now Russia Against Japan

Japan already lighting against impossible odds has now had added to the weight against her the power oi‘ Russia. A natural first thought arising when the news oi this came through was: How long can Japan hold out? The answer to that lies with the Japanese themselves—whether they will honourably surrender before their country is smashed to pieces or whether they will commit harikari. The strange people of this Land of the Rising Sun are, for all their faults, possessed of an extraordinary fatalistic courage for which reason it is difficult to predict what will be their reaction to the terrible circumstances confronting them. The addition of Russia to their numerous enemies will be but a minor influence contrasted with the bombing that has been their lot and now, most especially, with the arrival of the atomic bomb. It would perhaps be possible for Japan to hold out even for another year if inspired by the desperate resolve to maintain a last-ditch stand. On the other hand, even such desperation might fail within a few months because of the simple mechanics of sheer pulverisation. It is most probable that the Pacific war will come to an end within a few weeks. In view of all the circumstances, Russia’s entry into the Pacific war does partake rather of the action of a man who carries in the stool after the piano has been moved upstairs. There is, of course, a possibility that Russia might find a real war on her hands. For some time and from several authoritative sources it has been suggested that the Japanese might make a final stand within their empire of Manchuria and Korea on the Asiatic mainland even after the island homeland had surrendered. Japan has a very powerful army and air force in this territory which-are understood to be self-sufficient in munitions and other supplies manufactured within that empire. Had Russia not entered the war it could be assumed that China would have eventually conquered this Japanese-held area, for it is part of true Chinese territory. Time would have been required to train and equip, and then deploy the Chinese armies to this end. Russia’s powerful and organised forces should be able to accomplish-the task much more speedily. Almost unquestionably Russia’s entry into the war against Japan will have been inspired by a concern to have a share in the peace. It is a reasonable expectation, based on observations of Russian policy as applied in Eastern Europe, that she will in Eastern Asia extend her grasp upon large territories. For long it has been prophesised that the Soviet would occupy Manchuria and Korea. An impotent China could at this juncture not seriously oppose any such Russian advance. 'That advance could, however, and unfortunately, sow the seeds of future conflict between the two Powers. As China came into her now latent, strength, as appears almost inevitable, she might determine to restore these territories to herself.

[Since the above article was in type, the Tokio radio broadcast the statement accepting the Potsdam surrender terms with certain reservations about the Emperor.]