Australia To Sign Peace As Principal

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1945, Page 5

Australia To Sign Peace As Principal

SYDNEY. August 22. Representatives of Australia’s fighting services will sign the instrument: of surrender in Tokio. This news, announc'd today, is regarded as a triumph for Australia’s claim to be fully consulted in Pacific affairs. The Australian delegates will be General Sir Thomas Blarney (leader). Commodore J. A. Collins and Captain R. R. Dowling (Navy), Major-General Berryman (Army) and Air-Vice-Marshal G. Jones and Air-Vice-Marshal W. D. Bostoek (Air Force).

“This decision to include Australian follows strong representations made by the Government concerning our rights to full participation in the- surender and armistice arrangements with Japan,” said the Minister for Defence (Mr Beasley). During the past few weeks a bitter behind-the-scenes diplomatic struggle has been going on between the Australian'and British Governments, says Ihe Canberra correspondent of the “Sydney Sun.” Australia’s complaint was that Australia, the main upholder cf the Empire in the Pacific, was being relegated to the position of a dependency. Australia belie vocMhat, as the solitary white race in the Pacific, surrounded by nations cf other origins, it had a vital interest in the Pacific. The preservation of a Japan with a code that viewed the peace as a breathing space before another war might spell doom to Australia, and Australia contended that its future was too inextricably linked with what action was being taken for it to be indifferent. Australia found that Britain did not fight to get Australia represented through, out the surrender and armistice negotiations. The Australian viewpoint was that Britain, by this attitude, was relegating it to the position of a fourth-rate Power, so Australia asked America to use its ininguenco to get Australia representation at the surrender. . Standing on Her Own On the military side also there was conflict between the Australian and British viewpoints, continues the correspondent. Britain wanted only one Australian brigade to go to Japan as part of the British Empire force, hut Australia decided 'to send two brigades. This meant that it would be able to play a more important part in the policing of Japan, which in turn would have a psychological effect upon the Japanese approach Jo Australia's importance. Australia also rejected a suggestion that the Australian force should operate under the British commander and insisted upon its own commanders, subject only to direction from the Supreme Allied Commander. General MacArthur. Commenting upon Australia’s surrender arrangements. Mr Beasley said Australia would sign in Tokio in the same way as the four principal Powers—the United States, Great Britain, Russia and China. “This decision." he said, “follows strong representations made by the Government concerning our rights to full participation in the surrender and armistice arrangements with Japan.” In reply to those rep. resentalions. he added, the United States Government referred to “the outstanding part Australia played in the war against Japan.”