Terms of Potsdam Ultimatum

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 5

Terms of Potsdam Ultimatum

The terms of the Potsdam ultimatum were as follow:

“Points in Japanese territory to be designated by the Allies shall be occupied to secure the achievement of the basic objectives which we are here setting forth. The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaidb, Kyushu, Shikoku, and such minor islands as we determine. The Japanese military forces, after being completely disarmed, shall be permitted to return to their homes with an opportunity to lead peaceful and productive lives. “We do not intend that the Japanese will be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation, but stern justice shall be meted out to all war criminals, including those who have visited cruelties on our prisoners. ‘The Japanese Government shall remove all obstacles to the revival and strengthening of democratic tendencies among the Japanese peoples. Freedom of speech, religion and thought, as well as respect for fundamental human rights shall be established. ‘ ‘ The J apanese shall be permitted to maintain such industries as will sustain their economy and permit the exaction of just reparations in kind, but not those industries which would enable Japan to rearm. “To this end, access to, as distinguisued from control of raw materials, shall be permitted, and eventual Japanese participation in world trade relations shall be permitted. “The occupying forces of the Allies shall be withdrawn from Japan as soon as these objectives have been accomplished and there has been established, in accordance with the freely-expressed will of the Japanese people, a peace-fully-inclined and responsible government.

“We call upon the Government of Japan to proclaim the unconditional surrender of all the Japanese armed forces, and to provide a proper assurance of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.”