Japan’s Earlier Surrender Manoeuvres

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 192, 15 August 1945, Page 5

Japan’s Earlier Surrender Manoeuvres

CHUNGKING, August 13. Japan was ready to offer her war leaders as harikari victims and to retreat to the 1931 boundaries as peace conditions even before the first atomic bomb fell and Russia entered the war, reports the Chinese army newspaper Saotang Pao. Quoting Haich Nan Kunag, described as a leader of the Pormosan Revolutionary League, the newspaper said that the first step towards peace was taken on June 3 by the Imperial Household Minister, Tauneo Matsudaira, business manager for the Imperial family and its fortune, which is estimated at 4 per cent, of all Japan’s wealth. Matsudaira resigned with the aim of organising the surrender of the Cabinet. The plan failed due to the army’s opposition. Japan’s situation was getting worse each day.

On June 28, Premier Suzuki called a meeting of all the Elder Statesmen, including all former Premiers. At this meeting he reported that the indications were that Russia would join the war. The meeting decided to instruct the Japanese Ambassador in Moscow to pay special attention to Russia’s attitude. In the meantime the Government prepared peace proposals for submission through Moscow to the Big Three at Potsdam. These were finally forwarded to Marshal Stalin in Emperor Hirohito’s name. The Japanese army leaders meantime split on whether to surrender, but both sides wanted the Emperor to take the reins of Government. This desire became a demand after Japan’s fleet was wipd out as a fighting force. In July Empress Nagako was sent to seek the advice of the Dowager Empress. On her return it was decided to form a commission to decide on continuing the war or surrendering. The commission consisted of 21 persons, including the Imperial Princes Chichibu and Takamatsu and leading army and navy officers. It decided that Japan would surrender provided the Empereror retained his sovereignty and that Japan kept Formosa and Korea and retained her army and navy subject to Allied restrictions. It was also proposed that those responsible for the war should commit suicide so that the Allies would drop the war criminal charges.

Before the conditions could be placed before the Allies the Potsdam ultimatum was issued, the Americans dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Japan lost a possible mediator through Russia declaring war. The peace commission held an emergency meeting which lasted all night on August 8. The meeting produced Japan’s offer of surrender.