The Syonan Shimbun (August 8, 1945)
Gesture to Indonesians based on Nippon’s policy of ‘Hakko Ichiu’
Djawa C-in-C on ‘occasion for jubilation’
…
Turkish opinion on Potsdam Conference
ZURICH (Domei, Aug. 7) – With Russo-Turkish relations weighing heavily on Turkish minds these days, the Turks are beginning to feel that the Potsdam communique has served to create more confusion than confidence with regard to future international developments, according to a Reuters dispatch from Ankara.
The Turkish people are wondering whether the Potsdam Conference had not, in fact, been a failure by leaving outstanding thorny questions unsettled, it said.
Salzburger Nachrichten (August 8, 1945)
Japan erklärt Ostindiens Unabhängigkeit
Die Atombombe kann Japan sehr schnell in eine formlose Staubmasse verwandeln
…
L’Aube (August 8, 1945)
La bombe atomique change la face du monde
L’horreur de pareils moyens de destruction exige l’établissement d’une paix durable
Un nuage de poussière recouvre encore Hiroshima
…
U.S. State Department (August 8, 1945)
840.404/8-845
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State
[Washington,] August 8, 1945
[Extract]
. . . . . . .
Mr. Novikov then told me informally and not as an official communication that in ten minutes from now, at three p.m. Washington time, 10 p.m., Moscow time, Mr. Molotov would make a declaration stating that Soviet Russia is in a state of war with Japan. I asked Mr. Novikov when the state of war would take effect and he said “tomorrow.” I said, “That will evidently give the Japanese two hours to get ready.”
JOSEPH C. GREW
Заявление советского правительства правительству Японии
После разгрома и капитуляции гитлеровской Германии Япония оказалась единственной великой державой, которая все еще стоит за продолжение войны.
Требование трех держав - Соединенных Штатов Америки, Великобритании и Китая от 26 июля сего года о безоговорочной капитуляции японских вооруженных сил было отклонено Японией.
Тем самым предложение японского правительства Советскому Союзу о посредничестве в войне на Дальнем Востоке теряет всякую почву.
Учитывая отказ Японии капитулировать, союзники обратились к Советскому правительству с предложением включиться в войну против японской агрессии и тем сократить сроки окончания войны, сократить количество жертв и содействовать скорейшему восстановлению всеобщего мира.
Верное своему союзническому долгу, Советское правительство приняло предложение союзников и присоединилось к заявлению союзных держав от 26 июля сего года.
Советское правительство считает, что такая его политика является единственным средством, способным приблизить наступление мира, освободить народы от дальнейших жертв и страданий и дать возможность японскому народу избавиться от тех опасностей и разрушений, которые были пережиты Германией после ее отказа от безоговорочной капитуляции.
Ввиду изложенного Советское правительство заявляет, что с завтрашнего дня, то есть с 9 августа, Советский Союз будет считать себя в состоянии войны с Японией.
Presidential News Conference
August 8, 1945, 3 p.m. EWT
THE PRESIDENT: I have only a simple announcement to make. I can’t hold a regular press conference today; but this announcement is so important I thought I would call you in.
Russia has declared war on Japan! That is all!
[Much applause and laughter, as the reporters raced out]
Statement by Secretary of State Byrnes
August 8, 1945
I welcome the news of the declaration by the Soviet Government that it will consider itself in a state of war with Japan as of August 9. This action of the Soviet Government should materially shorten the war and save the loss of many lives. I am happy, too, that the Allied powers that cooperated in Europe to defeat the enemy will continue their cooperation in the Far East and will bring peace to the world.
In our discussions at Berlin regarding the war with Japan, the following expression of the viewpoint of the President was conveyed to Generalissimo Stalin:
“Paragraph 5 of the Declaration signed at Moscow, October 30, 1943 by the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and China, provides:
“‘5. That for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security pending the reestablishment of law and order and the inauguration of a system of general security, they will consult with one another and as occasion requires with other members of the United Nations with a view to joint action on behalf of the community of nations.’
“Article 106 of the proposed Charter of the United Nations provides:
“‘Pending the coming into force of such special agreements referred to in Article 43 as in the opinion of the Security Council enable it to begin the exercise of its responsibilities under Article 42, the parties to the Four Nation Declaration, signed at Moscow, October 30, 1943, and France, shall, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of that Declaration, consult with one another and as occasion requires with other Members of the United Nations with a view to such joint action on behalf of the Organization as may be necessary for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security.’
“Article 103 of the Charter provides:
“‘In the event of a conflict between the obligations of the Members of the United Nations under the present Charter and their obligations under any other international agreement, their obligations under the present Charter shall prevail.’
“Though the Charter has not been formally ratified, at San Francisco it was agreed to by the Representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Soviet Government will be one of the permanent members of the Security Council.
“It seems to me that under the terms of the Moscow Declaration and the provisions of the Charter, above referred to, it would be proper for the Soviet Union to indicate its willingness to consult and cooperate with other great powers now at war with Japan with a view to joint action on behalf of the community of nations to maintain peace and security.”
I hope that the people of Japan will now realize that further resistance to the forces of the nations now united in the enforcement of law and justice will be futile. There is still time – but little time – for the Japanese to save themselves from the destruction which threatens them.