FIRST LANDING ON SUNDAY

Northern Advocate, 22 August 1945, Page 3

FIRST LANDING ON SUNDAY

Japs To Leave Invasion Area

(Received 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 21. TOKIO RADIO BROADCAST A JOINT ARMY AND GOVERN--1 MENT COMMUNIQUE GIVING DETAILS OF THE COMING ALLIED LANDING OPERATIONS IN JAPAN. The communique stated that air operations would begin over the mainland on Saturday, airborne troops landing at Atsugi airfield on Sunday morning, when two Allied fleets would enter Sagami Bay, with one unit entering Tokio Bay if conditions were favourable. Troops would be landed from warships and transports in the vicinity of Atsugi and Yokusuka on Tuesday. The communique added that in order to facilitate the Allied landings, Japanese forces were ordered to withdraw as promptly as possible in Chiba, Kanagawa, Yamanasho, Yamdhashi and Shizuoka prefectures, to within a line linking the east bank of the Kamogawa River, Chiba City, Tamagaw River estuary, Fuchu, Hachioji, Otsuki and the southern end of Izu Peninsula. Two divisions of naval police are reinforcing local police and gendarmerie in the occupied area. The Domei News Agency announced that the Japanese Army, navj r and air forces are to be transferred immediately from the Atsugi and Yokusuka areas where sufficient strength of police and gendarmerie will be stationed to maintain peace and order. Because of the withdrawal of the large Japanese garrison from the first Allied occupation area, use of railways by general passengers and workers in the affected areas will be prohibited. The Government issued a non-fraternisation order, stating that the Army and Government was assuming full responsibility for supplying Jiving quarters and food to the Allied landing forces. It emphasised that there would be no contact between the genera] public and the Allied landing forces. The occupation would be carried out peacefully in a friendly manner in accordance with arrangements with the Allied forces. Therefore, the people, especially those civilian and Government workers in the affected areas, must not create unnecessary apprehension but must maintain order and carry on as in normal times.

Tolerant Victors.

Tokio radio announced that one oi' the Japanese surrender emissaries reported that the attitude of the American leaders at Manila was tolerant and understanding. Japanese requests were given proper treatment. The conference was conducted efficiently and the Japanese envoys treated respectfully.

The Associated Press correspondent in Washington says General Nimitz is expected to sign the Japanese surrender terms on behalf of the United States. General MacArthur has already announced the signing on behalf of tiie Big Four. Admiral Fraser is reported to be signing for Britain. China and Russia so far have not named their representatives. Tiie Domei news agency. quoting the Information Ministry, said that the airborne group would land on At.suki airport, and the seaborne group at Yokosuka. The Associated Press says that Alsu ki Ngawa prefecture is southwest of Tokio. about 10 miles north of Sagarno Day and about 20 miles from Tokio.

An Imperial announcement that the envoys, had returned from Manila was the first thing the Japanese people Pad heard of the mission. Huge Armadas.

A message from Tokio picked up in New York says the Japanese news agency reports that the first o£ the Allied occupation forces may arrive in Japan by air next Sunday. Huge American armadas of ships and ’planes will simultaneously disgorge in Japan forces prepared to meet any eventuality, in an operation as carefully planned as any Pacific landings, says the Manila correspondent of the -New York Times" This will tend to prevent or counter any hothead opposition. The correspondent says that although the ten-day period mentioned by General MacArthur may appear to be long, it is calculated to assure the safety of the aerial landings, because many airfields must be repaired. Furthermore, the interval can be employed to prepare the people, overwhelmingly shocked by the sudden revelation of defeat, both generally and technically for the occupation. A spokesman at General MacArthur’s headquarters said that while representatives of all the Allied Governments would be present at the surrender ceremony in Tokio, it was presumed that only American armed forces would comprise the inital occupation force, as troops of othernations could not reach Japan in time. New Zealand Participation.

It is announced by the State Department in Washington that the Australian, Canadian. Netherlands, French and New Zealand representatives at the surrender ceremony will be only observers, not active participants. It is thought in London that the Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, will represent Britain at the surrender ceremony. Thu conference in Manila with the Japanese .surrender envoys, dealt with questions of an airport and other facilities as a preliminary to General MacArthur’s entry into Japan, says the Associated Press. General MacArthur is remaining aloof until he meets an envoy of similar rank during the formal peace signing in Japan.

At le sliima, one of the two Japanese planes carrying the envoys on the second lap of their journey home ran into a ditch while preparing to take off. The seven occupants were not hurt, but the plane was forced to remain over-night for a check-up. The other plane took off alone. Back 111 Tokio A later message says the Japanese emissaries have arrived back in Tokio. The Japanese News Agency says that General Kawabe was given full powers by the Emperor to make arrangements for the landing in Japan of the first group of the Allied occupation forces.

A spokesman at Allied headquarters in Manila said the members of General MacArthur’s staff were pleased with the Japanese co-operation and apparent sincerity. The envoys were not empowered to bargain, but merely to accept and to transmit to Japanese Imperial Headquarters General MacArthur’s occupation terms. The Jaoanese yielded much secret data. The leader of the delegation, Lieu-tenant-General Kawabe, and Major-Gene-ral Amamato seemed particularly humiliated and despairing during the talks, bur they co-operated fully and apparently sincerely wanted to enforce the peace.