“BETRAYAL OF TRUST”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26847, 11 August 1948, Page 5

“BETRAYAL OF TRUST”

JAPANESE NATION CENSURED RETRIBUTION IN HIROSHIMA 8.C.0.F. Public Relations Service Rec. 9 p.m. KURE, Aug. 8. “ I must 'remind you that you caused this disaster yourselves. The Japanese nation treacherously attacked without warning the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations and of the United States, and caused great suffering to many of their citizens,” said the Commander-in-chief of 8.C.0.F., Lieutenant-general H. C. H. Robertson, after conveying greetings to the

people of Hiroshima from General of the Army Douglas MacArthur at the opening of the peace festival at Hiro.snima this morning. He was speaking from the spot • where the first atom bomb dropped three years ago. The general added: “ This was a great betrayal of trust because the people of America had always been your friends, We British people have not only been your friends but your allies over many years. The punishment given to Hiroshima was only part of the retribution of the Japanese people as a whole for pursuing a doctrine of war.”

The ceremony this morning began with an opening address and a recitation of the Song of Hiroshima. Mustangs from Iwakuni swooped low over the platform as General Robertson spoke for the occupation forces. After speeches had been read from the Japanese Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House - of Representatives, the President of the House of Councillors, and tht Governor of the Hiroshima Prefecture, a peace memorial tree was planted and rockets were fired which realeased coloured parachutes bearing banners calling for “no more Hiroshimas,” This slogan also appeared alongside the official platform in lafge letters, on posters throughout the city, and on banners carried in the procession by school children and others.

■Among those present at the peace festival were members of the Australian parliamentary delegation which is visiting Japan on a tour of inspection of the remaining signs of the atom bomb devastations.