PRISONERS IN JAPAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23319, 1 October 1945, Page 7

PRISONERS IN JAPAN

Speedy Evacuation NEW YORK, September 26. Within a month of the first American landing in Japan, the evacuation of an estimated 32,000 Allied prisoners of war and internees from Japan’s home islands was completed with the exception of fewer than 500 stragglers. Colonel M. H. Marcus, chief of the Replaced Personnel Section of General MacArthur’s headquarters, attributed the remarkable speed with which the task was completed not only to American efficiency, but also Japanese cooperation. “The Japanese doubtless are anxious to get Allied prisoners' off their hands,” he said. “They hoped in addition to saving food costs, to avoid a thorough investigation on the spot of prison camp facilities." Colonel M. A. Synder, who controlled 89 rescue teams, admitted that the Japanese probably succeeded in their purpose of concealing many acts of brutality, which now will be most difficult to prove, because the prisoners are scattered and not available for group questioning. The rescue teams had hoped to get into the camps in time to catch the Japanese with the goods and obtain a 100 per cent dossier. Only 4 per cent instead of an estimated 10 per cent of prisoners required hospital treatment. Prisoners recovered in Japan seemed in better shape than those found in the Philippines.