BROOKING NO DELAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25941, 6 September 1945, Page 5

BROOKING NO DELAY

MacARTHUR IN CHARGE

BLUNT ORDER TO ENEMY

SPEEDY DEMOBILISATION

(Rec. 11 p.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 5. Japan to-day moved towards speedy and complete demobilisation under a blunt “ step on it ” order from General MacArthur, who directed the Japanese First Army commander to report to General Eichelberger, the United States Eighth Army commander, at a time and place to be designated by General Eichelberger, for instructions covering the American entry to Tokio on September 7, says the Associated Press of America. The commander of the Japanese Second Army was instructed to report by radio without delay to General Kreuger, the Sixth Army cominairder, regarding the American occupation of South Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The Japanese commander in Korea was instructed to get in touch immediately with Lieutenant-general Hodge, the Twenty-fourth Corps commander. All Japanese merchantmen over 100 tons are to be subject to American supervision. The Japanese Government must provide, at the time and place designated by General MacArthur, a pofcl of unskilled labour for repairing roads, railways, docks, etc. Japanese naval and merchant marine personnel must remain on board their ships pending instructions. All ships are commanded to train their guns fore and aft, and also make them inoperable. General Eichelberger to-day summoned Field-marshal Bugiyama, former chief of the Japanese General Staff, and military adviser to Emperor Hirohito, to Eighth Army headquarters to hear the American orders. The First Cavalry Division, which was the first to enter Manila, will be the first to enter Tokio. The Japanese at the Katsura submarine base, on Chiba Peninsula, called on the Eighth Army to accept surrender, but were told that since the base is not in the initial occupation urea, they, must await their turn.