JAPANESE SHUFFLING

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22691, 20 August 1945, Page 4

JAPANESE SHUFFLING

Remembering the treachery of the Japanese on the day of Pearl Harbour and every day since, General MacArthur has apparently determined to prove the sincerity of the surrender and avoid all danger of further trickery before exposing the Allied forces to peril. His brusque demands for complete compliance with the surrender terms are amply justified. If the enemy is not prepared to submit unreservedly it is better to be aware of the fact now than later. There has at least been individual defiance of the surrender order by Japanese air and other forces. And to suggest that up to 12 days may be occupied in enforcing the surrender order in some remote fields is not reassuring in view of the capabilities of modem communication. Japan is shuffling and will need firm handling She will not be safe until her arms, planes and warships have been delivered into the hands of the Allies. The outstanding fact remains, however, that should there be further trickery the Allied forces are completely ready to renew the assault with greatly increased vigour. The Japanese are no doubt well aware of that fact and the best authorities expect the surrender and disarming to proceed. It is still true that surrender as a mental state is of great importance, and it is clear that the Japanese will not be as completely beaten mentally as were the Germans. There is a question, indded, whether the average Japanese mentality is capable of realising the full meaning of this military defeat. The first necessity is to render Japan incapable of resuming the slaughter. Her arms must be taken into safe keeping at the earliest possible moment. General MacArthur above all men is unlikely to take unnecessary risks. He knows the Japanese and will not relax his -tyilance until their power for further mischief has been destroyed. His order to them to stop arguing and get on with the surrender precisely interprets the temper of the United Nations. In the meantime Japan’s puppets are falling away, chastised and repentant. Siam is seeking sympathy. The Nanking puppet government has decided to dissolve and disappear. Japan is left without a friend. It is dangerous to call her friend.