TERMS FOR JAPANESE PROPOSAL TO PRESIDENT TRUMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 168, 18 July 1945, Page 5

TERMS FOR JAPANESE PROPOSAL TO PRESIDENT TRUMAN

RecG. 11.47 p.m. New York, July 17. The “New Herald-Tr-bune’s” Washington correspondent learns that the United Staes is giving serious consideration to definition of “unconditional surrnder,” under which, if the Japanese agreed to give up all the stolen territories and strip themselves of military and industrial capacity to wage future wars, the Allies would neither invade nor occupy Japan. A detailed proposal presented to President Truman on the eve of his departure for Potsdam is reported to have been received by him with interest and indications of general approval. This was chiefly responsible for Mr. Truman’s cancellation of plans for a tour of Europe after the conference and a decision to return immediately to Washington. The definition proposed the return of all territories seized by force, in keeping with the Cairo Declaration, and also four steps to wipe out the Japanese war-waging potential—destruction of the fleet, obliteration of the air force, dismantling of shipbuilding facilities and elimination of heavy industries capable of turning out aircraft and munitions. If the the terms were accepted lhe Allies would merely send a token supervisory force to Japan to oversee destruction of military pbwer and war production rapacity. The Japanese would be permitted to retain their own form of government, including the Emperor, and manage their own internal political economic and social affairs.