Lawrence: Japan’s surrender is surely on the way
By David Lawrence
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U.S. State Department (July 27, 1945)
Log of the President’s Trip to the Berlin Conference
Friday, July 27:
There was no meeting of the conference today as the British Delegation had not returned to Babelsberg.
The President worked on his mail during the forenoon.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff, except for Admiral Leahy, departed Babelsberg this morning for the return trip to Washington. They traveled by air.
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1200: The President conferred with Secretary Byrnes and Admiral Leahy. A definition of lend-lease and the prospects of bringing the conference to an early close were among the subjects they discussed.
Mail was dispatched to Washington this afternoon.
1830: Mr. Davies called on the President.
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2030: Judge Samuel I. Rosenman, Special Assistant to the President, arrived Babelsberg this evening and joined the President’s party.
Sergeant List played selected piano solos during dinner hour.
The President today presented an autographed photograph of himself to Colonel Ernest R. Lee, USA.
The Syonan Shimbun (July 28, 1945)
Nippon will not be affected in least by change in British govt.
Will fight on determinedly till war won
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Attlee, Bevin going to Potsdam for talks with Stalin, Truman
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Problem for Potsdam: Germany’s future
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L’Aube (July 28, 1945)
M. Léon Blum déclare devant le Haute-Cour –
Pétain a trahi même l’armistice
M. Charles-Roux expose les débuts de la diplomatie vichyssoise
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U.S. State Department (July 28, 1945)
761.94/7-2145: Telegram
The Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Japanese Ambassador in the Soviet Union
[Tokyo,] July 28, 1945 — 10:45 a.m.
[Translation]
Secret
urgent
952
Re my telegram No. 944
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The position taken by the Soviet Union in connection with the Potsdam joint declaration made by Great Britain, the United States, and Chungking will henceforth have a bearing on our planning and will be a very important problem. When we consider that details of every conference (Quebec, Cairo, etc.) held by the above three countries have been supplied to the Soviet Union, it is not difficult to imagine that the Soviet Union will have detailed knowledge of the recent joint declaration.
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However, we have been awaiting the Soviet reply regarding the dispatch of the special envoy and we cannot help but have doubts that there may be some connection between the new joint declaration and our request. Is there no connection at all between the new joint declaration and the above-mentioned request? Also, did or did not the Soviet Government inform England and the United States of our above-mentioned request? And what steps will the Soviet side take against the Japanese Empire from now on? These questions will all remain of interest to our side.
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For the time being, countermeasures against the joint declaration will be decided after we receive and study the Soviet reply to our request. Thus, Mr. Ambassador, keeping this in mind, meet with Molotov without delay, and at the beginning make our aims clearly understood as described in our outgoing telegrams. Also, on that occasion, endeavor to find out the Soviet Union’s attitude regarding the joint declaration.
Press Conference Statement by Prime Minister Suzuki
[Tokyo, July 28, 1945]
[Translation — Extracts]
Premier Suzuki, at his press conference held at his Official Residence at 3 p.m. July 28, which lasted about an hour, answered questions on various government policies taken at this decisive stage of the war and expressed strong conviction of sure Japanese victory.
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(Question): “What is the Premier’s view regarding the Joint Proclamation by the three countries?”
(Answer): “I believe the Joint Proclamation by the three countries is nothing but a rehash of the Cairo Declaration. As for the Government, it does not find any important value in it, and there is no other recourse but to ignore it entirely2 and resolutely fight for the successful conclusion of this war.”
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