TOKYO (Domei, Aug. 30) – Five American war correspondents arrived in Tokyo today from Atsugi aerodrome where they landed in a special air force plane. They are Russell Brines (Associated Press), James F. Glincy (United Press), Clark Lee (International News Service), Harry T. Brundige (associated editor of the Cosmopolitan Magazine), and Dave Boguslav (Chicago Sun).
Kärntner Nachrichten (September 2, 1945)
Montag alliierte Besetzung Singapurs
LONDON, 1. September – General MacArthur gab bekannt, dass die Unterzeichnung der japanischen Kapitulation am Sonntagmorgen an Bord des US-Schlachtschiffes Missouri stattfinden wird.
Präsident Truman wird von Weißen Hause aus während der Unterzeichnungszeremonie eine Rundfunk-Ansprache halten.
Tanks und Kraftfahrzeuge aller Art fahren in endlosen Zügen an Land, um Munition und Verpflegung für die Truppen heran zu bringen. Im Hafen von Tokio befinden sich nun weit mehr als 100 Schiffe und ständig kommen neue an.
Die Vertreter Frankreichs, der Sowjetunion, der Niederlande du Australiens trafen in Yokohama ein, um bei der Kapitulationshandlung anwesend zu sein.
Schlechtes Wetter behinderte die Hilfsmaßnahmen für die befreiten alliierten Gefangenen am heutigen Tage und es konnten daher nur zwanzig Lager auf den japanischen Inseln sowie auf Korea und in Peking mit Lebensmitteln versorgt werden.
Admiral Halsey, der Kommandant der 3. US-Flotte, die in der Bucht von: Tokio verankert liegt, erklärte gestern in einer Radiobotschaft: „Ein anderer Weltkrieg wäre unvermeidlich, würden die Alliierten die Kapitulationsbestimmungen nicht entschlossen festlegen.“ Er führte weiter aus, dass die Vereinten Nationen genügend starke Kräfte im Pazifik aufrechterhalten müssen, um bei den Japanern ‚jeden Gedanken an eine militärische Erhebung hintanzuhalten.
Die ersten Einheiten der unter dem Befehl von Generalleutnant Eichelberger stehenden Truppen der amerikanischen 8. Armee sind in Yokohama an Land gegangen.
Wie der Sender Tokio meldet, wird Singapur von alliierten Truppen am Montag besetzt werden.
Die chinesische Regierung hat Frankreich eingeladen, ihren Vertreter zu der formellen Unterzeichnung der Übergabe der japanischen Streitkräfte in China, die nächste Woche in Nanking stattfinden wird, zu entsenden.
Drei chinesische Divisionen haben die indochinesische Grenze überschritten, um die japanischen Streitkräfte im nördlichen Indochina zu entwaffnen.
Admiral Harcourt, der die Kapitulation auf Hongkong entgegennahm, besprach mit dem japanischen Kommandanten die Maßnahmen zur Durchführung der Übergabe. Er verlas auch eine Botschaft König Georgs VI. an die Bewohner der Kronkolonie.
Dr. Van Mook, Gouverneur in Niederländisch-Ostindien und ein Mitglied des Kronrates von Niederländisch-Ostindien trafen heute in Colombo ein, um sich nach Kandy zu Besprechungen mit Admiral Lord Mountbatten zu begeben. Die Wiederbesetzung Niederländisch-Ostindiens wird nach der Besetzung Singapurs durch britische Truppe erfolgen. Die Wiederbesetzung der holländischen Gebiete kann nur in Zusammenarbeit mit amerikanischen, britischen und australischen Truppen vorgenommen werden. Der Zeitpunkt, an dem die Alliierten in Java eintreffen werden steht noch nicht fest.
L’Aube (September 2, 1945)
cette nuit à 3 h 30 à bord du Missouri
L’OCCUPATION
Les forces américaines continuent à étendre leur zone d’occupation dans l’ile de Hondo et resserrent leur étreinte au sud de Tokio. Des officiers américains ont inspecté les fortifications de la baie de Tokio.
La reddition japonaise a été signée cette nuit à 3 h 30 (heure de Paris), à bord du cuirassé américain Missouri, par le premier ministre nippon, cousin du mikado.
MacArthur était entouré du général Leclerc, plénipotentiaire français, et des représentants de l’Angleterre, de la Russie, de la Hollande, de la Nouvelle-Zélande, de l’Australie et de la Chine. Le général américain invita les délégués japonais à signer l’instrument de la reddition, puis signa à son tour. Après quoi, il appela un par un es représentants alliés, en prononçant chaque fois la phrase : « Le représentant de… va maintenant signer ».
Voici l’ordre dans lequel ces signatures furent apposées : Japon, général MacArthur (États-Unis) Chine, Royaume-Uni, URSS, Australie, Canada, France, Pays-Bas, Nouvelle-Zélande.
Avant la signature MacArthur avait prononcé le discours suivant :
Je déclare ici ma ferme intention, conformément aux traditions des pays que je représente, de m’acquitter des charges qui m’incombent, avec justice, avec tolérance, tout en prenant toutes les dispositions nécessaires pour assurer l’exécution complète, rapide et loyale des conditions de la reddition.
Nous sommes réunis, en tant que représentants de grandes puissances en guerre, pour conclure l’accord solennel grâce auquel la paix pourra être rétablie. Ce n’est plus ici le lieu de débattre de questions auxquelles sont mêlées des idéologies divergentes. Elles ont été tranchées sur les champs de bataille du monde.
Il ne nous appartient pas davantage de nous rencontrer, alors que nous représentons la majorité des peuples de la terre, dans un esprit de défiance, de rancune ou de haine, mais il nous sied bien plutôt – aux vainqueurs comme aux vaincus – de nous élever à cette dignité qui, seule, pourra servir les desseins sacrés auxquels nous allons nous vouer.
J’ai le fervent espoir – l’humanité tout entière a l’espoir – qu’à dater de la présente solennité un monde meilleur va naître du carnage d’hier : un monde fondé sur la bonne foi et la compréhension, un monde consacré à la dignité de l’homme et à l’accomplissement de son vœu le plus cher : liberté, tolérance, justice.
Prions pour que la paix soit maintenant rendue au monde et que Dieu la lui conserve toujours.
L’acte de capitulation comporte notamment, la clause essentielle suivante :
Par les présentes, nous proclamons la capitulation sans condition de l’état-major japonais, de toutes les forces armées du Japon et de toutes les forces armées sous la dépendance du Japon ou qu’elles se trouvent.
Le président Truman a prononcé un discours radiodiffusé à l’occasion de la signature de la reddition du Japon.
Ce soir, espoir de toute l’Amérique, de tout l’univers civilisé, toutes nos pensées se reportent sur le Missouri, a-t-il notamment déclaré, sur cette parcelle du territoire américain ancrée dans la baie de Tokio. Les Japonais ont officiellement déposé leurs armes. Ils ont signé les termes de la capitulation sans condition.
À la fin de son discours, le président des États-Unis a annoncé que dimanche sera célébré comme un jour de victoire, mais il a ajouté :
Ce n’est pas encore le jour de la proclamation officielle de la fin de la guerre ou de la cessation des hostilités, mais c’est le jour dont nous, Américains, devrons toujours nous rappeler comme du jour du châtiment comme nous nous rappellerons que cet autre jour fut celui de l’infamie.
Des tanks, des camions, des Jeeps, ainsi que de grandes quantités d’approvisionnements et de munitions continuent d’être débarqués sur la côte japonaise.
Les fusiliers marins américains, qui ont débarqué jeudi avec un détachement britannique, et occupé la base navale de Yokosuka, achèvent de s’installer.
On estime que les troupes alliées débarquées sur le territoire métropolitain japonais atteindront un demi-million d’hommes vers la mi-septembre.
Douglas Phillips, correspondant de la BBC, donne une description du Voyage qu’il vient d’effectuer entre Tokio et Yokohama. A Kasaki, ville industrielle située entre Tokio et Yokohama, il a vu les plus colossales destructions qu’il lui ait été donné de constater, y compris dans les régions dévastées d’Europe, Kasaki était le plus grand port japonais affecté à la manutention des carburants et le plus grand centre producteur d’énergie. Aujourd’hui, la ville entière est détruite et personne n’a survécu. Au nombre des entreprises industrielles se trouvaient les établissements Mitsoui, Mitsoubitchi et Nitsaï, qui tous soutenaient fortement les militaristes japonais. La disparition des ports jumeaux de Kasaki et de Yokohama a été la cause principale de l’effondrement du Japon dans l’Asie orientale et a paralysé l’effort de guerre japonais.
On apprend également que deux jours après que Hirohito eût annoncé à son peuple que la guerre était finie, des avions, pilotés vraisemblablement par des pilotes fanatiques, ont lâché des tracts sur les villes japonaises les plus importantes, demandant à la nation de ne pas tenir compte des ordres de l’empereur et de poursuivre la lutte.
Mais la plupart des Nippons ont été horrifiés à l’idée de désobéir aux ordres de l’empereur et ce « mouvement » s’est rapidement éteint.
La radio japonaise annonce qu’au cours d’un conseil des ministres tenu aujourd’hui, le gouvernement nippon a modifié, par un amendement, la loi électorale. Il a fixé les prochaines élections générales au 29 janvier 1946.
KUNMING, 1er septembre – Contrairement aux décisions précédemment, il reste possible que l’ensemble du territoire indochinois soit compris dans la zone du sud-est asiatique et que ce soit à lord Mountbatten, assisté par un colonel français, que se rendent les forces japonaises.
On estime, dans des milieux très bien informés, qu’une modification des décisions antérieures est très vraisemblable, Les décisions finales seront prises à Tokio et le crédit dont jouit le général Leclerc lui permettra, pense-t-on dans les mêmes milieux, de servir pour le mieux les intérêts français.
Après l’arrivée du général Leclerc à Manille, le général Alessandri retournera vraisemblablement à Kunming pour prendre le commandement des troupes françaises en Chine.
4 communistes, 4 socialistes, 2 démocrates-chrétiens, 1 libéral et 1 industriel en font partie
…
Youngstown Vindicator (September 2, 1945)
General to be just and tolerant, urges people at home care for returning fighting men
By Spencer Davis, Associated Press staff writer
ABOARD USS MISSOURI, TOKYO BAY (AP, Sept. 2) – Japan formally yielded to the overwhelming might of the Allies this morning (Saturday night ET) in a solemn 22-minute surrender ceremony aboard the mighty battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, restoring peace once more to a war-ravaged world.
Twelve signatures, requiring only a few minutes to inscribe on the articles of surrender, ended the bloody Pacific conflict, which had entered its eighth year in China and had raged almost three years and nine months for the United States and Great Britain.
All issues have been “determined on the battleships of the world and hence are not for our discussion or debate,” Gen. Douglas MacArthur said preliminary to inviting all representatives to sign the surrender instrument.
Two Jap leaders sign document
He added:
Nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do the majority of the peoples of the earth, in a spirit of distrust, malice or hatred.
But rather it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone benefits the sacred purposes we are about to serve…
On behalf of Emperor Hirohito, Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed for the government and Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu for the Imperial General Staff.
MacArthur uses five pens
Gen. MacArthur then signed in behalf of the United Nations using five pens and declaring:
It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past.
After the signing, Gen. MacArthur said:
And so, my fellow countrymen, today I report to you that your sons and daughters have served you well and faithfully with the calm, deliberate, determined fighting spirit of the American soldier and sailor based upon a tradition of historical trait, as against the fanaticism of an enemy supported only by mythological fiction. Their spiritual strength and power has brought us through to victory. They are homeward bound – take care of them.
One document was in Japanese – suitably bound in black. The other, in English, was for the United Nations – bound in green and gold.
Shigemitsu signed first for Japan. He doffed his top hat, tinkered with the pen and then firmly affixed his signature to the surrender document, a paper about 12 by 18 inches.
Shigemitsu carefully signed the American copy first, then affixed his name to a duplicate copy to be retained by Japan.
Shigemitsu’s fumbling and delay of several moments before signing was the only departure from the efficient, smoothly-working procedure.
Shigemitsu searches for pen
When he took his seat at the table, Shigemitsu searched through his pockets, apparently seeking a pen. Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland, MacArthur’s chief of staff, stepped up to help Shigemitsu gain composure.
The Japanese foreign minister then carefully studied a watch. When MacArthur suddenly appeared irritated by the delay, Shigemitsu drew another watch and considered it. Then he dipped his pen in the ink, leaned over the paper and began the signature.
Following him, Gen. Umezu sat down resolutely, and scrawled his name on the documents as if in a tremendous hurry.
A Japanese colonel present was seen to wipe tears from his eyes as the general signed. All the Japanese looked tense and weary but maintained impassivity throughout.
Shigemitsu looked on anxiously as Umezu signed.
MacArthur’s five pens included his own fountain pen, produced from a pocket with a brief smile, and a “G.I.” pen.
MacArthur’s hand shook slightly as he reached “Dou–” in his first signature. His face twitched but his voice was strong although he appeared to be under great emotional strain.
The supreme commander exchanged salutes gravely with each of the United Nations representatives as they stepped forward to sign.
First to sign was Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for the United States, then the representatives of China, the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands and New Zealand.
Other Allied signers listed
The other signers were: Gen, Hsu Yung-Chang for China, Adm. Sir Bruce Fraser for Great Britain, Lt. Gen. Kuzma Derevyanko for Russia, Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey for Australia, Col. L. Moore Cosgrave for Canada, Gen. Jacques LeClerc for France, Lt. Gen, L. H. Van Oyen for the Netherlands; Air Vice Marshal L. M. Isitt for New Zealand.
The flags of the United States, Britain, Russia and China fluttered from the veranda deck of the famed super-dreadnaught, polished and scrubbed as never before.
The Japanese delegation came aboard at (7:55 p.m. Saturday ET) as scheduled. They reached the Missouri in personnel speedboats flying the American flag.
Shigemitsu led the delegation. He climbed stiffly up the ladder and limped forward on his right leg, which is artificial.
When MacArthur boarded the ship, followed by Nimitz and other high-ranking officials, a tense expression and slightly shaking hands were his only signs of emotions.
MacArthur smiles at Wainwright
MacArthur smiled briefly at the lanky Wainwright as he passed and then his look became grim as he stared at the Japanese representatives for one long moment. Then the supreme commander began his address opening the surrender ceremony.
More than 100 high-ranking military and naval officers watched.
All Allied representatives were sober-faced, but obviously glad it’s over. Soldiers, sailors and Marines, some of whom had fought their way across the Pacific, hardly could hide a trace of exuberance on their serious faces.
Surrender hour was cool and cloudy, but the sun broke through the overcast 20 minutes later as MacArthur intoned “these proceedings are closed.”
When the ceremony was completed, Shigemitsu’s aid received the Japanese copy. Then the Japanese protested that someone had signed on the wrong line, but that squabble was settled quickly. Blamey, representing Australia, signed the Japanese document first – by error – then shrugged as if it really made no difference, now.
The ceremony was conducted on the Missouri’s gallery deck. A long table was set up for the signing. Every available inch of space was crowded with army, navy and marine spectators and about 200 correspondents.
There were 11 Japanese representatives. All were dressed formally or were in uniform, except one who wore a rumpled white linen suit.
The Japanese representatives were present at the command of Emperor Hirohito contained in a proclamation “issued by order of the Supreme Allied Commander in connection with Japan’s formal surrender.”
Hirohito bows to MacArthur
The emperor further commanded his officials “to issue general orders to the military and naval forces in accordance with the direction of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers.”
Thus Emperor Hirohito formally acknowledged that Gen. MacArthur’s word in Japan will come foremost of all Nipponese officialdom during the Allied occupation of the country, which never before had been occupied by an alien force.
The emperor said:
I command all my people forthwith to cease hostilities, to lay down their arms and faithfully to carry out all the provisions of the instrument of surrender and the general orders issued by the imperial general headquarters hereunder.
Wainwright gets his chance
MacArthur told the Japanese:
As Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, I announce it my firm purpose in the tradition of the countries I represent to proceed in the discharge of my responsibilities with justice and tolerance, while taking all necessary dispositions to insure that the terms of surrender are fully, promptly and faithfully complied with.”
After the last signature had been affixed, MacArthur turned and presented surrender pens to Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, hero of Corregidor, and Lt. Gen. A. E. Percival, British defender of Singapore when it was overrun by the Japanese.
All through this dramatic half hour, only those aboard the battleship knew of what was transpiring because the Missouri has no broadcasting facilities.
Recordings made of ceremony
But recordings were rushed to the near-by communications ship USS Ancon, and the solemn words of MacArthur beginning the ceremony – “we are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers” – were flashed around the world.
The hour for which all liberty-loving lands the world over had awaited for long and terrible years was at hand – V-J Day was here.
Yet at the hour of triumph, the world was sobered by the knowledge of the price which civilization paid to achieve this day, and that theme rang through the messages of America’s commanders.
“Our first thoughts of course – thoughts of gratefulness and deep obligation – go out to those of our loved ones who have been killed or maimed in this terrible war,” President Truman told the world from a broadcasting room in the White House in Washington. And there, where the Japanese warlords had once boasted they would dictate their own peace terms. Truman spoke these determined words: “We shall not forget Pearl Harbor. The Japanese militarists will not forget the USS Missouri.” And, after he had proclaimed the peace “a victory of liberty over tyranny.”
‘Great tragedy has ended’
In this bay near Japan’s ruined capital, MacArthur told his countrymen: “Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won.”
The Supreme Allied Commander said he spoke “for the thousands of silent lips, forever stilled among the jungles and the beaches and in the deep waters of the Pacific which marked the way.”
He continued:
As I look back on the long, tortuous trail from those grim days of Bataan and Corregidor, when an entire world lived in fear, when democracy was on the defensive everywhere, when modern civilization trembled in the balance, I thank a merciful God that He has given us the faith, the courage and the power from which to mold victory.
Nimitz praises fighting men
Possibly thinking of the atomic bomb that hastened Japan’s decision to surrender. MacArthur declared that the war had become so utterly destructive that unless an equitable system of peace was devised “Armageddon will be at our door.”
Nimitz, speaking next and praising all branches of the services and the Allies, declared that the United Nations must “enforce rigidly the peace terms that will be imposed upon Japan.”
The President included in his eulogy “our departed gallant leader, Franklin D. Roosevelt, a defender of democracy, architect of world peace and cooperation.”
Nimitz said he took “great pride in the American forces which have helped to win this victory,” and declared that “America can be proud of them.”
Nimitz said:
The officers and men of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine who fought in the Pacific have written heroic new chapters in this nation’s military history.
I have infinite respect for their courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty. We also acknowledge the great contribution to this victory made by our valiant allies. United we fought and united we prevail.
Out to Japanese field commanders went Emperor Hirohito’s orders, issued after the articles were signed, commanding “all my people forthwith to cease hostilities to lay down their arms and faithfully to carry out all provisions of the instrument of surrender.”
By the signatures of his plenipotentiaries, Emperor Hirohito accepted the terms of the Potsdam declaration which called for the elimination “for all time” of those who led Japan to war and stern justice for war criminals.
Now Japan’s sovereignty was limited to the will of the Allies, all her conquests were stripped away, and she was left completely disarmed.
Bay scene of great activity
The setting in which the momentous document was signed testified to the thoroughness with which Japan was beaten to her knees.
Tokyo Bay itself today was a scene of feverish activity, with boats plying back and forth in preparation for the history-making event.
The Navy combat squadrons lay at anchor in impressive array – the long lines of grey battlewagons that scourged the Pacific and finally invaded the hitherto inviolate waters of Japan herself.
Overhead Allied planes flew in vigilant patrol. Gen. Carl Spaatz, commander of the Strategic Air Forces, declared his planes were ready to loose 8,000 tons of bombs at any sign of treachery,
Strategic points seized
On both sides of the bay and up to the Tama River at the southern edge of Tokyo, American troops and British and American Marines and bluejackets were in firm control. All strategic points had been seized.
The ruined capital of Tokyo itself was reported out-of-bounds for troops, but soon its bomb-blackened streets will echo to the tramp of Allied forces.
MacArthur will shift his headquarters from this once-great port of Tokyo to the capital itself, setting up in the U.S. embassy. The embassy was only slightly damaged by the great fire raids.
The men whose forces met and defeated the would-be overlords of the Orient were gathered here with their staffs and aides to sign the articles of surrender or to witness them.
With Gen. Wainwright at McArthur’s invitation were Wainwright’s officers at Corregidor. From here, Wainwright plans to go to Washington in a few days.
Proclaims liberty’s victory over tyranny; tells world, ‘We shall never forget’
WASHINGTON (AP, Sept. 1) – President Truman tonight proclaimed Sunday (today), September 2, as V-J Day – for Japan a day of “retribution,” for America and for the world a day of the “victory of liberty over tyranny.”
Mr. Truman spoke over a globe-girdling radio hookup that linked the White House with Tokyo, where aboard the great battleship USS Missouri, just off the enemy capital, Japan abjectly signed the terms of her surrender.
Fourfold significance
And to the occasion the President attributed a fourfold significance:
For this country – A day for “renewed consecration to the principles which have made us the strongest nation on earth and which, in this war, we have striven so mightily to preserve.”
For Japan – An end of “power to destroy and kill.”
For the world – A bright new era of hope for “peace and international good will and cooperation.”
For history – “The day of formal surrender by Japan.”
He said:
We shall not forget Pearl Harbor.
The Japanese militarists will not forget the USS Missouri.
The evil done by the Japanese warlords can never be repaired or forgotten. But their power to destroy and kill has been taken from them. Their armies and what is left of their navy are now impotent.
For this event of mingled solemnity and joy, Mr. Truman invited members of the Cabinet to sit with him in the broadcast room on the first floor of the White House – the White House where Japan once haughtily boasted she would dictate surrender terms. They listened to the ceremonies aboard the Missouri and, in the midst of them, the President spoke.
Then the all-network broadcast switched back to Tokyo Bay for addresses by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, and Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Pacific Fleet commander, American signers of the surrender documents.
Little gloating or elation
There was little of gloating or elation in the President’s address. Rather there was sober emphasis on what victory has cost and what it will mean.
Our first thoughts now, the President said, are thoughts of gratefulness and deep obligation to those killed or maimed in history’s most terrible war, and of their loved ones.
He went on:
Only the knowledge that the victory, which these sacrifices have made possible, will be wisely used, can give them any comfort. It is our responsibility – ours, the living – to see to it that this victory shall be a monument worthy of the dead who died to win it.
Here is what V-J means
Answering thousands of inquiries as to just what V-J Day means, the President repeated previous assertions that it has no legal meaning. Here is what he said on this point:
As President of the United States, I proclaim Sunday [today], September 2, 1945, to be V-J Day – the day of formal surrender by Japan.
It is not yet the day for the formal proclamation of the end of the war or of the cessation of hostilities. But it is a day which we Americans shall always remember as a day of retribution – as we remember that other day, the day of infamy.
Mr. Truman thus adopted the words of his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in referring to December 7, 1941.
‘We move forward’
The President had been listening to the radio description of the surrender ceremony when tuned in on the hookup with the USS Missouri. The program continued when he finished his 1,200-word speech.
He said:
From this day we move forward. We move toward a new era of security at home. With the other United Nations we move toward a new and better world of peace and international good will and cooperation.
God’s help has brought us to this day of victory. With His help we will attain that peace and prosperity for ourselves and all the world in the years ahead.
Pays tribute to FDR
The President, after paying tribute to those who died in the war, and millions of other United States and Allied participants, including battlefront and home-front fighters and workers, voiced a eulogy for his predecessor:
“We think of our departed gallant leader, Franklin D, Roosevelt, a defender of democracy, architect of world peace and cooperation.”
The President said the formal Japanese surrender means a victory of more than arms alone.
“This is a victory of liberty over tyranny,” he declared.
Thanks Almighty God
He said to all Americans there comes first “a sense of gratitude to Almighty God who sustained us and our Allies in the dark days of grave danger, Who made us to grow from weakness into the strongest fighting force in history, and Who now has seen us overcome the forces of tyranny that sought to destroy His civilization.
“God grant that in our pride of the hour we may not forget the hard tasks that are still before us; that we may approach these with the same courage, zeal and patience with which we faced the trials and problems of the past four years.”
Although Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish congregations here held planned programs in the days following the announced surrender of Japan in August, they also will have special prayers today, officially designated as V-J Day.
Rev. Harvey E. Holt, secretary of Youngstown Federated Churches, said “we are asking all to attend church services and offer thanksgiving.”
“Appropriate prayers will be given in all our churches, and the congregations asked to dedicate themselves to the tasks that are ahead.”
Rev. Mr. Holt said he was happy at the end of the war and expressed hope for a world in which justice prevails.
Bishop James A. McFadden of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese said special prayers will be said at masses in Catholic churches throughout the diocese.
He said he was “delighted at the official end of hostilities and let us hope that justice and fairness will prevail to bring about a real and lasting peace for future generations.”
Some Jewish congregations had special prayers at late services Saturday and others plan prayers of peace for today.
KURIHAMA, Japan (AP, Sept. 1) – This naval base, built at the site of Commodore Perry’s landing on Japan in 1853, was formally surrendered today.
A Marine artillery battery took possession of the base, including a training school and enough armament and ammunition for a major arsenal.
Only 523 Japanese officers and men were present when the Marines took over the barracks, which once quartered 20,000.
The official surrender was accepted by Lt. Col. Walter S. Osipoff of San Diego, California, who received the Japanese naval captain’s sword.
Kurihama, on the eastern side of Uraga Strait entering Tokyo Bay, was where Perry met the representatives of the Japanese shogunate in his historic mission to open Japan to commerce.