FORGET AND FORGIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25286, 21 August 1945, Page 3

FORGET AND FORGIVE

THE BURMESE ARMIY TAKEN OVER BY BRITISH LONDON, Aug, 10 "We took over Burma's national Army, and we have not been disappointed," said the Supreme Commander in South-east Asia,, Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, at a press conference. "Our greatest joy is that wo have been really welcomed back in Burma." Admiral Mountbatten showed Himself in a new light—that of an astute diplomat and n statesmanlike administrator as distinct from his qualities as a great sailor and a brilliant tactician. "It would have been very easy," he said, "to have declared the Burmese Army illegal, and to have tried and shot its leaders. We could have come in as conquerors and dealt harshly and grimly with the people who had just stopped fighting against us. That is what the Japanese would have done if they had been in our place. 1 took the opposite view. 1 felt that it would bo wiser to let bygones be bygones. "After all, the mistake the Burmese made was a simple and rather a natural one. They supposed, in their innocence, that Japan would give them their independence, forgetting that Japan was a fascist State, and' that fascist States do not give independence to anyone. I think it was a mistake which we should he prepared to forgive. We had not come back to Burma to play a political game. "We got the first offer of help from the Burmese National Army last I August, 'and I had no difficulty in | accepting it. The result was that the Burmese rose as one man on our side. "At first the Burmese were apprehensive of our intentions, but the natural friendliness of the British Tommy overcame their suspicions. As soon as it became clear to them tjiat there was going to be no harsh application of martial law, no reprisals, and certainly no political persecution, they began to lose their fear. "The Governor of Burma, Sir Reginald Dorman Smith, met the leaders of all political parties in Burma on board H.M.S. Cumberland in Rangoon Harbour, and told them the British White Paper meant that the Burmese would, in the not too distant future, be able to enjoy full selfgovernment with the status equal to that of the Dominions. SPEEDY RETURN MALAYAN PRISONERS PLANS FOR AUSTRALIANS COLOMBO, Aug. 14 The great majority of Australian prisoners of war recovered at Singapore and other known prison centres in Japanese hands in Malaya, will probably be taken to Australia as soon as shipping is available. Previous arrangements were that the men —chiefly from the Australian Eighth Division —should first go to hospitals and rest bases in southern India, but the likelihood of "a general release has prompted the military authorities to hasten the return of the prisoners to their home countries. It is now thought unlikely that the estimate of 60,00/0 prisoners in Japanese occupied areas will be realised. All available hospital ships are being prepared, and transport and shipping used for any occupation forces will be utilised to take the prisoners out as rapidly as possible. Medical and other special personnel, including 130 representatives of the British, Indian, and Australian lied Cross, chiefly women, nre waiting word to proceed to Singapore. A special Red Cross planning committee has been set up at the request of the Supremo Allied Commander in South-east Asia, Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten. The Australian representative on this committee is LieutenantColonel O. B. Williams, and the Red Cross contingent for Singapore will include a dozen Australians, who are being brought specially from Australia. SAII) WITH FLOWERS As a token of gratitude for the hospitality and friendship extended by the '?oyal'Navy to the Royal Netherlands Xa'vv during the war. and as an ex■iression of admiration for the contribution of the Ho.vnl Navy to the liberation if the Netherlands the Royal Netherands Navv* has offered to provide the wardens of the Royal Naval Colleges it Dartmouth and Greenwich and the Royal Naval barracks at Devon port. Portsmouth and Chatham with Dutch llowera every spring in perpetuity.