EXPECTED WITHIN 10 DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25287, 22 August 1945, Page 7

EXPECTED WITHIN 10 DAYS

ALLIED LANDINGS CAREFULLY PLANNED (Received A.J.J, ft Augu .« „ . v enera acArthur has informed the Japanese Government that he expects to sign the formal surrender document in Tokyo within ten days. He has issued the following statement:— s a soon proceed to Japan with accompanying forces composed of ground, naval and air elements. Subject to weather permitting landings, it is anticipated that the formal surrender document will be signed within ten days. It is my earnest hope that, pending formal accomplishment of the instrument of surrender armistice conditions may prevail on every front and bloodless surrender may be made effective. " l j d hC ? e^ r slender in the names of Britain, America, China and Russia, after which I will direct Imperial Japanese Headquar ers o issue general instructions to Japanese commanders, wherever they are situated, to surrendpr unconditionally all forces under their control to the Allied theatre commanders." A message from Tokyo picked up in New York says the Japanese news agency reports that the first of the Allied occupation forces may arrive m 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 Mac Arthur 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 Mac Arthur's headquarters said that while representatives of all the Allied Governments would be present at the surrender ceremony in Tokyo it was presumed that only American armed forces would comprise the initial occupation force, as troops of other nations could not reach Japan in time. 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.