The Sunday Star (September 8, 1946)
Siberia repatriation appeal to MacArthur is renewed by Japs
TOKYO, Sept. 7 (AP) – The Japanese government today urgently renewed its appeal to Supreme Headquarters for aid in repatriating prisoners held by the Russians, declaring that more than 100,000 died of exposure last winter and that this winter’s toll might be higher.
The Russians have consistently refused to discuss the estimated 1,000,000 prisoners of war they took in their brief campaign in Manchuria just before the Japanese surrender.
Only yesterday Russian officials here complained that Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters had refused to furnish ships for the repatriation and drew a quick reply that the Russians themselves were responsible because they wanted merely to rid themselves of 40,000 civilians while refusing to negotiate concerning war prisoners.
The Japanese appeal has been forwarded by headquarters to the State Department in Washington.
The Japanese in a letter urged that the Soviet-held port of Dairen be opened for repatriations, noting that Hulutao, through which some civilian repatriates have been leaving Manchuria, is frozen over from December to March.
If repatriation cannot be arranged, the Japanese asked that efforts at least be made to get food, medicines and clothing to those who must spend another winter in Siberia and Manchuria.
Last winter, many Japanese men there killed their wives and children to spare them suffering, while others sold their families to Manchurians, the letter said.
The letter said some Japanese had escaped from Russian hands and reported that 700,000 Japanese soldiers had been shipped to Siberia by the Russians and were being used to build highways, repair railroads, load military supplies and do other heavy labor.