Big Four Accept Surrender Offer

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 190, 13 August 1945, Page 5

Big Four Accept Surrender Offer

Status of Emperor Still Under Consideration

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. Received Monday, 2 a.m. LONDON, August 12.

So far no news has been received from Japan of any decision accepting or rejecting the Big Four’s terms regarding the status of the Emperor. The Japanese Cabinet was still in session two hours ago, and the Tokio newspapers were preparing the people for the worst. “The Four Powers have agreed to accept the Japanese surrender provided the Allied supreme commanders rule Japan through the Emperor’s authority.” The Associated Press’s correspondent says that the Secretary of State (Mr. Byrnes) replied in these terms to Japan through the Swiss Government and announced that this represented the viewpoints of the United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R. and China. A message delivered through the Swiss Embassy at 2.30 p.m. G.M.T., contained the text of Mr. Byrnes’ reply to Mr. Max Grassli, Charge d'Affairs at the Swiss Legation: “I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your note of August 10, and in reply to inform you that the President has directed me to send you for transmission by your Government to the Japanese Government the following message on behalf of the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R. and China: “In reply to the Japanese Government’s message accepting the terms of the Potsdam Proclamation but containing a statement with the understanding that the said declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of his Majesty as sovereign ruler. Our position is as follows: “Firstly: From the moment of surrender the authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the State shall be subject to the supreme commander of the Allied Powers who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate the surrender terms. “Secondly: The Emperor will be required to authorise and ensure the signature of the Japanese Government and the Imperial Headquarters to the surrender terms necessary to carry out the provisional Potsdam Declarations, and shall issue his commands to all Japanese military, naval and air authorities and all the forces under their control wherever located to cease active operations and surrender their arms, and to issue such other orders as the supreme commander may require to give effect to the surrender terms. “Thirdly: Immediately upon surrender, the Japanese Government shall transport prisoners of war and civil internees to places of safety as directed where they can be quickly placed aboard Allied transports. “Fourthly: The ultimate form of the Government of Japan shall in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people. “Fifthly: The Allied Powers’ armed forces will remain in Japan until the purposes set forth in the Potsdam Declaration are achieved.”