U.S. State Department (August 25, 1945)
711.94114A/82545: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland to the Secretary of State
Bern, August 25, 1945 — 2 p.m.
[Received 5:10 p.m.]
4002
Legation’s 3349, June 28; 3750, August 1. Foreign Office note August 24 states, according telegram August 17 from Gorgé, despite repeated efforts only able visit two POW camps this year. Adds principal reason without doubt reluctance Japanese authorities permit inspectors travel bombed regions.
However POW Bureau Japanese Foreign Office has sent Legation numerous lists POWs and deceased. During July Legation received 39 lists bearing total 3776 names.
HARRISON
740.00119 PW/8-2545: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union to the Secretary of State
Moscow, August 25, 1945 — midnight
[Received August 25 — 9:30 p.m.]
3061
Received letter from Vyshinski this evening asking me to transmit to you from Molotov reply along the following lines to message contained in your 1896 [1898], Aug. 23, 7 p.m.
In as much as the proposed declaration concerns General Order No. 1, I would like, before answering the substance of the question raised in your letter, to know whether there has been inserted in General Order No. 1 the amendment to the effect that the Japanese forces on the Kurile Islands should surrender to the Soviet Forces, as was communicated by Generalissimo Stalin in his message of August 16 to President Truman.
In order to save time I have addressed a letter this evening to Vyshinski asking him to invite Molotov’s attention to the fact that on Aug. 19 General Deane transmitted to General Antonov the amended text of General Order No. 1 containing this specific provision. I inquired whether I might assume that this answered Molotov’s question.
However, as the question was addressed by Molotov to you, I suggest that you instruct me to confirm General Deane’s communication in case I find Molotov wishes a reply from you.
HARRIMAN
740.00119 PW/8-2545
The Australian Minister to the Secretary of State
Washington, 25 August 1945
No. 401/45
Dear Mr. Secretary: Further to my letter of the 14th August, 1945, enclosing certain comments of the Australian Government on the Draft Act of Surrender of Japan, the Australian Minister for External Affairs has asked me to add that the Australian Government is most anxious that no opportunity should be missed to secure immediately from the Japanese, not only complete lists of Australian and other Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees, but also full records and evidence of their treatment during custody. It is felt that any evidence of atrocities or suspected violations of International Conventions concerning prisoners of war or internees, as well as breaches of rules of warfare against service personnel generally, should be made available to National Offices of the United Nations War Crimes Commission. The Australian Government has been advised that major responsibility for detection and apprehension of suspected war criminals must fall upon Allied Military and Control Authorities. Australia feels that every effort should be made in the initial post-surrender period to apprehend and intern all suspected war criminals on the basis of information secured. It seems likely that important evidence can be obtained as the result of access to Japanese official records indicating the Japanese attitude towards protests made by Allied Governments during the war concerning Japanese treatment of prisoners of war or concerning other wartime atrocities. The Australian Government made several such protests.
Dr. Evatt suggests that these views be brought to the notice of the appropriate representative of the Supreme Commander and of the Judge Advocate General at General Headquarters. General Sir Thomas Blarney, the chief Australian representative at the surrender ceremonies, has been advised of the above-mentioned views to ensure that these objectives are followed so far as Australian Forces are concerned.
At the request of Dr. Evatt, I also enclose herewith the full text of a press statement issued by him on August 24th, 1945.
Yours sincerely,
F. W. EGGLESTON
Neues Österreich (August 26, 1945)
Taifune verzögern Landung
New York, 25. August – General MacArthur gab heute bekannt, dass die schweren Taifune um Japan die alliierten Landungen in Japan um 48 Stunden verzögern werden. Man nimmt an, dass die alliierten Okkupationstruppen am Dienstag in der Nähe von Tokio landen werden, und dass die großangelegten Luftlandungen auf Donnerstag verschoben werden. Wegen dieser Verzögerung werden die Übergabedokumente erst am 2. September formell unterzeichnet werden. Inzwischen bereiten amerikanische Land-, See- und Luftstreitkräfte die Landung vor.
Harakiri vor dem kaiserlichen Palast
New York, 25. August – Wie der japanische Sender mitteilt, wird vor dem kaiserlichen Palast in Tokio von zahlreichen Japanern Harakiri verübt.
Frankreich fordert Kontrolle des linken Rheinufers
New York, 25. August – General de Gaulle hielt in Washington eine Pressekonferenz ab, bei welcher Gelegenheit er erklärte, Frankreich habe nicht die Absicht, deutsches Gebiet zu annektieren. Frankreich habe lediglich den Wunsch, auf unbestimmte Zeit die Kontrolle über das linke Rheinufer auszuüben. Es wünsche jedoch eine Revision der Grenzen der ihm zugewiesenen Besatzungszonen. Frankreich werde bei der Zusammenkunft der Außenminister in London im September Vorschläge über eine internationale Kontrolle des Ruhrgebiets machen.
L’Aube (August 26, 1945)
New-York attend De Gaulle
Ce matin, pèlerinage à la tombe de Roosevelt
…
Travail et technicité pour Byrnes et Bidault
De notre correspondent spécial Fernand Decoster
…
Apres l’abrogation de la loi Prêt-Bail –
Une mission britannique se rend a Washington
pour négocier un nouvel arrangement
…
U.S. State Department (August 26, 1945)
740.00119 PW/8-2645: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union
Washington, August 26, 1945 — 1 p.m.
1916
Your 3061, August 25, midnight. You are authorized to confirm the fact that General Order No. 1 has been amended to provide for surrender of Japanese forces in the Kuriles to be accepted by the Soviet Command.
BYRNES
The Evening Star (August 26, 1945)
Halsey’s fleet begins steaming into bay 30 miles from Tokyo
Troop landings delayed 48 hours due to typhoons
…
383 ships in occupation force
12 U.S. battleships and 17 carriers are included
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U.S. plans to cut draft calls to 30,000 monthly
Decrease to depend on Japs’ acceptance of Yank occupation
By James Y. Newton
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2 pilots forced down after end of fighting find Japs friendly
Attitude, however, is that of equals and not of defeated people*
…
Shanghai and Nanking reported entered by Nationalist troops
Rival Communists forces also believed marching on key Chinese cities
…
Soviet forces occupy two ports on Korea and Sakhalin Island
Bag of Jap prisoners now totals 370,000, Moscow discloses
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Lack of Allied planning blamed for Lease-Lend disturbance
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Braden replaces Rockefeller, setting firmer Argentine policy
New Byrnes aide is vigorous critic of Farrell regime
…
Truman orders return of all seized plants to private owners
Seven Ward stores included; transfer due ‘as soon as practicable’
…
Vinson puts Treasury on 5-day, 40-hour week as of today
Most workers here will get 3-day holiday next weekend
…