FORCE FOR JAPAN

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22690, 18 August 1945, Page 5

FORCE FOR JAPAN

AUSTRALIA’S INTENTIONS “SEPARATE BELLIGERENT” RECOGNITION DEMANDED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Aug. 18, 1 p.m.) CANBERRA, Aug. 18 The Australian War Cabinet has decided to make available to General MacArthur for the occupation of Japan two Australian Army brigades, three complete R.A.A.F. squadrons and a task force. The Prime Minister, Mr J. B. Chifley, said Australia would make its contribution to the occupation force as a separate belligerent against Japan and not as a subsidiary. The Australian Government would demand that it be treated as a principal Pacific Power in the future. The Australian occupation forces in Japan would operate under an Australian commander and be subject only to the control of General MacArthur. The Australian Government considered the war effort of Australia had not had sufficient recognition in the armistice negotiations and arrangements. Status at Peace Conference It had decided that efforts should be continued to obtain for Australia at the peace conference a status fairly and justly commensurate with the very substantial contribution which Australia had made to the final victory over Japan. Mr Chifley also announced that Australia had offered to share responsibility with Britain for the command of the South-West Pacific area, the precise demarcation of responsibility to be made at a later date. The War Cabinet had offered to accept initial responsibility for the control of Borneo and Japanese-oc-cupied territories to the east of Borneo, including Ocean and Nauru Islands. The Prime Minister said Australia desired to take part in the reoccupation of Singapore and Malaya. AUSTRALIAN ARMY CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY SYDNEY, Aug. 17 General Blarney, Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Army, said in an Order-of-the-Day: “The climax has come when all six Australian divisions were fighting strenuously. No divisions among the Allies have con- V tributed more to the downfall of our enemies. We have fought through the burning days and freezing nights c*f the desert and the ooze and sweat of tropical jungles. We have defeated the Italians and the Germans, and we -would soon have destroyed the Japanese. We have done our part in ensuring freedom for all peoples.” ANOTHER SUICIDE VICE-ADMIRAL ONISHI NEW YORK, Aug. 17 ( Vice-Admiral Takijiro Onishi, vice- ' Chief of the Navy General Staff, comi mitted suicide yesterday, says the i Tokyo radio. Onishi headed the ; naval air units in the Philippines during the American campaign and ; later helped to develop the special attack tactics. MAN LEAPSTO DEATH EMPIRE STATE BUILDING NEW YORK. Aug. 16 An unidentified man this afternoon j jumped 1050 ft to death from the 86th i floor of the Empire State Building. A i Canadian soldier saw the hurtling body and warned pedestrians, who 1 scattered to safety.