JAPAN’S DEFEAT

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22689, 17 August 1945, Page 3

JAPAN’S DEFEAT

SUZUKI GIVES REASONS SAIPAN TURNING POINT ATOM BOMB DESTRUCTION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrignt) LONDON, Aug. 16 The former Prime Minister of Japan, Suzuki, in an explanation why Japan surrendered gave reasons very much more elaborate than those given by the Emperor in his broadcast. Suzuki said that when the Soviet Union declared war upon Japan, the Japanese nation was forced to fight Russia in addition to America, Britain and China. The Government judged then that the moment had arrived when it must make the final decision whether or not to carry on the war. Suzuki admitted that the situation had developed badly for Japan ever since loss of Saipan last year. Allied air power attacking from the nearby bases of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had, he said, added to Japan’s difficulties, and the use of the atomic bomb rendered her plight even worse. Suzuki said the atomic bomb inflicted irretrievable destruction, and that one bomb on one city destroyed most of it. He described the present situation as a deplorable state of affairs. The Japanese fighting men must be profoundly grieved, but they must not let personal feelings interfere with their duty toward Japan. Referring to the future status of the Emperor, Suzuki said that as a result of the examination of the Allied reply to Japan’s surrender offer, the Government was convinced that the Emperor’s authority would not be prejudiced, and so it decided to accept the terms.