Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, August 15, 1945, Image 1

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Medford mail tribune., August 15, 1945, Page 1, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextK mam cr y M United Press Fortieth Year Japan's Cabinet Resigns; Member Suicides; Hirohito Says Atomic Bomb Brought Defeat HARA-KIRI WAVE MAY BE SEQUEL Surrender Requires New Government With "Fresh ' Ideas" Tokyo Declares. San Francisco, Aug. 15 (U.R) The Japanese cabinet resigned tftj.ir nnH nnp member already has committed hara-kiri in theJ first of what may become a wave of suicides among Japan's beaten war lords. The official Japanese Domei News Agency said War Minister Gen. Korechika Anami, 58, took his life at his official residence to "atone for his failure in accom plishing his duties as his majes ty's minister." New Ideas Needed Domei said Premier Kantaro Suzuki tendered the resignation of his cabinet at 3:20 p. m. Tokyo time (2:20 a. m. EWT) because of "the new situation created by Japanese acceptance of the Pots dam declaration. - Japan's surrender required a new cabinet of men "with fresh ideas," Tokyo said. The cabinet s decision was reached -aV an ex traordinary meeting at ine pre mier's official residence. Disclosure of Anami's suicide touched off speculation that other members of the Suzuki and past cabinets similarly would "atone for their failure" to win the war. . San Francisco, Aug. 15 (U.R) Emperor Hirohito, in the first broadcast ever made to his 100, 000,000 subjects, said today that the atomic bomb forced Japan to accept the first military defeat in the 2 605 years of her history. The bespectacled "Son of Hea ven," speaking four hours after President Truman announced that the Pacific war was over, said that the atomic bomb, drop ped for the first time only nine days before, was "new and- most cruel." k First Time Heard The Emperor spoke over the Japanese Broadcasting Corpora tion Network at noon Tokyo time (11 p. m. Tuesday EWT). It was the first time, with the ex ception of a few government and military officials and members of th roval family, that any Jap anese had heard the voice of the emperor. ". , The enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb the power of which to do damage is indeed incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives." he said. "Should we con tinue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese na tion, but it would lead to total destruction of human civiliza tion." One Alternative Faced with the alternative of capitulation or "ultimate col lapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation," the emperor declared that "we have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration" of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union. "Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan s self-preservation and the stabili zation of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to in fringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement," he "But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by every one the gallant fighting of mi j tary ind naval forces, the dili gence and assiriujty of our ser vants of the state and the devoted service of our 100.000,000 peo ple, the war situation has de veloped not necessarily to Jap an's advantage, while the gener al trends of the world have all turned against her interest.' EDFORD Full Leased Wire Double Holiday Proclaimed By President and Governor Washington, Aug. 15 (U.R) A lot of the U. S. A- is taking a couple of days off. It's not strictly a legal holiday, but nobody is bothering much with technicalities. Stock exchanges, department stores, all government offices, many war plants and most of the nation's business offices are tightly closed for today. Many of them will remain shut tomor row, reopening Friday morning. The banks, though, have to stay open because it isn't legally a holiday. President Truman set the 48 hour victory holiday pace, with statements that: ! Excused all government em ES TAKE HOLIDAYS N CELEBRATION Few business offices or firms remained - open today after a presidential proclamation by Harry Truman late yesterday de clared a legal holiday for the nation. Some businesses are rec ognizing a two-day release from work, and will be closed today and tomorrow, while others will rcsumt work Thursday. Telegrams from Governor Earl Snell, confirming the legal holi day declaration, were received by officials of both the First Na tional and U. S National banks here, and those places are closed for two days, to resume work Friday. Most government em ployees were given a two-day re lease, including employees of the Medford post office. Windows of the pjst office are closed and no mail deliveries will be made un til Friday, although a skeleton crew is maintained to handle necessary work. Courthouse Closed Judge J. B. Coleman stated this morning that In recognition of the governor's declaration, the courthouse offices will be closed both today and tomorrow. Food stores were closed today, despite earlier decisions to re main open with holiday wage rates for employees due to the large stocks of perishable foods. William Gates said this morning that plans were changed with is suance of the governor's order, but the stores will be open to morrow. At a meeting late this morn ing, members of the Retail Mer chants association decided to rec ognize the joint presidential pro clamation and governor's declar ation and remain closed for two days. N. T. Vincent, president of the association, said the order includes 'retail stores, beverage shops and garages. City restaurants are divided some closing today and others tomorrow in an attempt to alter nate for the benefit of patrons. Valley packing plants. wich started operations this week, are closed today but will resume work tomorrow, various plants commencing work at different times according to pear picking schedules. The Mail Tribune went to press at noon today, to allow em ployees a partial holiday, but will publish as usual tomorrow. Auburn Cafes To Reopen Tomorrow Auburn, Cel.. Aug. 15 (U.R) This city's 15 restaurants, closed since Aug. 1 in a protest against insufficient ration points, will reopen tomorrow, R. W. Ed wards, spokesman for the res taurant proprietors, announced today. Edwards reported, after a con ference of the restauranteurs and ration board officials, that the owners have accepted sup plemental points issued by the food panel of the local board, MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1945. ployes in Washington and throughout the country from work today and tomorrow, ex cept for "skeleton forces" of key workers. 2. Provided that private in dustry employes working on gov ernment orders shall be paid time and a half if they have to work today or tomorrow. Salem, Ore., Aug- 15 (U.R) Gov. Earl Snell today called upon the people of Oregon to i give thanks "to Almighty God that this terrible and most de vastating war that man and his tory have ever known has final ly come to an end." Today and tomorrow were pro claimed legal holidays in Ore gon by the governor, who order ed closed all state and public buildings, stores and agencies. Local officials followed suit. "Let us offer a prayer of com fort to the parents and relatives of those men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice in behalf fcf the great cause of liberty, justice and freedom," the governor said. RECEIVE HOLIDAY Camp White Col. John R. Young, commanding officer at Camp White, announced today that all government employees, both military and civilian, work ing at the camp, whose duties would permit, would be given a two day holiday starting today. In making the announcement, Col. Young stated that many employees are key personnel and it is necessary that they re main on their jobs. The post commander added that those who must remain on their jobs will receive a two day holiday at a subsequent date. It was requested by Cob Young that civilian employees at Camp White who did not re port today but whose services might be needed in the next few days Hibntact their duty officer at the camp. Surrender Ends For Thousands By Frank W. Hewlett United Press War Correspondent Japan's surrender will end the prison suffering of thousands of American soldiers, sailors and marines headed by Lt. Gen. Jon athan Wainwright. The suggestion has been made by some observers that the Jap anese could evidence their good faith in surrender negotiations by producing Gen. Wainwright and returning him to the Amer icans forthwith. Besides this great and beloved American general, who passed Into enemy hands with the sur render In the Philippines, the Japanese should have about 15. 000 Americans in their prisoner of war camps, but only time will tell how many survived more than three years of mistreat ment. Most In Philippines The Japanese took the great majority of their American pri soners in the Philippines early in li)42. They also captured Americans on Wake and Guam and a Texas National Guard regi ment which surrendered in Java. Latest reports from Japan in dicated that Gen. Wainwright was in Manchuria with other high-ranking American and Brit ish officers. For more than a year he was on Formosa but was moved from there in the inter ests of "safety," according to the Japanese. Wainwright as commander of corps No. 1 on Bataan and later ai Gen, MacAxtliuxi successor to CITY'S STREETS T Police Report Little Disorder As Throng Observes End Of Japanese Conflict Thousands of people r.-illed about downtown streets of the city lasnight in a mass celebra tion of V-J day, but little or no actual property, damage was caused, and no serious accidents were reported to city police. Several street signs were bent and paper confetti thrown about the area promised a busy clean up day for city employees, but policemen say that while several persons in the crowds were in various stages of intoxication, little disorder was noted . Several Military Police were sent to Medford from Camp White, to help control the hilar ity. The intersection of Main street and Central avenues was jammed with cars and pedes trians throughout the evening. Theaters were crowded and most business houses remained closed after about 4 p. m. when the of ficial announcement came pro claiming the end of the war. Residents who had waited tensely throughout the last few days heard with joy that after nearly four years of war the country was at last at peace again. Cars of shouting persons, with horns blaring, circulated around Medford streets in a spontaneous outburst. At least 400 persons crowded into the Baptist church, which seats normally only 275, for union worship services marking V-J day, it was reported today by members of the Medford Ministerial Association which sponsored the gathering. Several more stood outside while pray ers were offered for the victory over Japan, and for the many servicemen who have taken part in the battles. In 1944 State lion hunters took only 41 of the 177 mountain lions killed during the year. Suffering Imprisoned command of the Philippines, be came one of America's favorite generals. This correspondent lived for months at Gen. Wainwright's Jungle headquarters on Bataan. . On more than one occasion. Wainwright told me his ambition was to command the American Army of Occupation in Japan. Long Planned I have never written about Wainwright's "ambition" be cause it might have resulted in Japanese reprisals. But even during the height of the Bataan campr.lgn the general was quiet ly "picking his aides" and adding Japanese words to his vocabu lary. The Japanese announced on Feb. 9 last that Gen. Wainwright and 176 other American army and navy personnel had been transferred from Formosa to Mukden, Manchuria. With Wain wright were five major generals and 12 brigadier generals. The Japanese radio reported in June. 1942, that 25.000 Amer ican soldiers sailors and marines had been captured. In addition, the enemy claimed 64.000 Brit ish troops captured (including Australians and Canadians) and 24.000 Dutch. Apoioxlmatcly 1200 American military prisoners were liber ated by Gen, MacArthur's forces in the Philippines last January and February. The remainder of the men of Bataan and Corregi dor had died in prison or been shipped to Formosa, Manchuria or Japan proper, - Tribune United Press Full JAPS NOTICE TOR Supreme Allied Commander Orders Representatives Sent to Manila For Terms Washington, Aug- 15 (U.R) The world today entered a bright new era of peace in which Gen. Douglas MacArthur summarily ordered Japan to send represen tatives to Manila to receive al lied surrender terms. He acted as supreme allied comnrander. MacArthur Is expected to an nounce that Japan will sign on her home soil or in territorial waters perhaps Tokyo Bay. American forces were ordered to cease offensive action last night. Tokyo broadcast to Jap anese troops at midnight EWT (1 p. m., Wednesday Japanese time) the announcement of agree ment to surrender- Hostilities End MacArthur's message also ' di rected" the Japanese immediate ly tor cease hostilities, - In his first radio message to Tokyo, MacArthur notified the enemy of his appointment as supreme allied commander and designated, pending further word from the Japanese, Tokyo's radio station JNR for communication with his headquarters in Manila. MacArthur moved swiftly to force Japan's formal surrender after being notified of his ap pointment. His office bustled with activity. Fighters Lauded In a formal statement on the announcement of the surrender earlier in the day, MacArtnur said: "I thank a merciful God that this mighty struggle is about to end. I shall at once take steps to stop hostilities and further bloodshed. "The magnificent men and women who have fought so nob ly to victory can now return to their homes in due course and resume their civil pursuits. "They have been good soldiers. May they be equally good citi zens In peace." President Truman announced Japan's agreement to uncondi tional surrender last night at 7 o'clock EWT. There arose from the vast homelands of those who love democracy a shout heard 'round the world. With the consent of the allies, Mr. Truman named MacArthur supreme commander for the allied powers- TO Chungking, Aug. 15 (U.R) Gercnalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek offered to negotiate a settlement of his dispute with the Chinese communist party today in an ap parent bid to ward off a threat ened cnternal crisis. In a surprise peace overture to the northern communists, Chiang radioed an urgent appeal to the Red leader, Mao Tsc-Tung, to confer personally with him In Chungking. We have many International and internal problems waiting settlement," Chiang's message said. "May I humbly Invite you to come to Chungking imme diately and discuss things in person? "This Involves our national welfare; please do not decline." The generalissimo' move came on the heels of a defiant communist proclamation an nouncing that the Chinese com munist forces had rejected Chungking's orders forbidding them lo take over Japanese-held areas of China, Leased Wiri NO. 123. GEN. MacARTHUR Washington. Aug. 15 (U.R) Gen. Douglas MacArthur cabled President Truman today that he was "deeply grateful" for the ap pointment to receive the final Japanese surrender. "The entire western world Is unexpressedly thrilled and stir red by the early termination of the war," MacArthur said. "I shall do everything possible to capitalise this situation, along the magnificently constructive lines you have conceived for the peace of the world." NEXT OBJECTIVE Washington, Aug. 15 U.R) The army, left only with the job of occupation, cut its draft re quirements sharply today and began preparations to demobil ize up to 5.500, 000 men in the next 12 to 18 months. The war department was ex pected to announce during the day its plans for dismantling the bulk of the huge land and air forces that were being assembled to crush the Japanese. The navy's demobilization jvlll be neither so rapid nor so broad as the army's. Five Million Out Soon President Truman signaled the start of army demobilization with a statement that from 5, 000,000 to 5,500,000 men would be released from the army dur ing the next year or year and a half. He also announced that the army was cutting its draft quotas from 80,000 to 50,000 a month, with the new inductees destined to go into occupational duty to relieve war-weary veterans. Mr. Truman disagreed with congressional leaders who favor ed an immediate end of selective service with the close of hos tilities. "In justice to the millions of men who have given long and faithful service under the diffi cult and hazardous conditions of the Pacific war and elsewhere overseas," he said, " a constant flow of replacements to the oc cupation forces is thought to be Imperative." To Take Teen Agers "Mathematically and moral ly," he added, the solution ap pears to be to continue the draft on a reduced basis. The bulk of the new inductees will come from the 'teen age group. Mr- Truman said It was too early to specify the number of occupation troops that would be needed In the Pacific war or to predict what reductions might be possible in German occupa tion forces. French Given Two Zones In Germany Washington, Aug. 1 5 (U.P) Announcement of zone boundar ies for the big four occupation of Germany revelled today that France will occupy only two small sections In southwestern Germany and that the British will take over the rich Ruhr valley. The largest and most Import ant part of the Rhinrland will be occupied by the British. Other zone boundaries arc ap proximately as previously an-Duuutcd, ' i -"Li Control Continues On Shoes, Tires, and Meat, Butter, Sugar A.. 1 K ft0 t ll- ....II 1 - I- JJ office of price administration announced today. Nor will canned fruits and vegetables, fuel oil, and oil stovei be rationed any longer, OPA said. ttationing stop orders are etlective Immediately. qui ittuuiuiig ui mcuis, mis aim miici uuiiiuiuiiiiics win i-uuuuue iiiueiniiieiy, urA saia, un til military cutbacks and increased production can balance civilian supply and demand. UNABLE TO SAY WHEN ALL RATION OFF Pllna Aminiclonlnn Pl,n,4n. rin,,,l- nJ J Kn. It.l.Ll lat. . .vw . ...inuuia.. iui vaivoaw Impossible to say just when all hp pnHpH fnrm'or. "It Certailltv can't pnmn inn Bowles said. "You can be sure the minute we hear that supplies to go around." With the lid off gasoline purchases, motorists may now shout "Fill 'er nil!" in Tillintf statim-i nn... .1, : a ; - " e ........... ...v.a.u.a iva nu; iiasa nine BUllB rationing started on May 15, 1942. Thp liftinar nf vatln..i II 1 ..a ;a .us un gtiauiuit: tanu iuui uu whs maae pos sible by tremendous cutbacks of military purchases. Reconversion nil-ftotn- Til,n W ?...! 1..J ,- . . . oii,uci leveiiiea earner loaay mat with the end of the war, the military will require 44 per cent less gasoline. AnH tliP nrmv.nntm nnfonlnnan 1 1 i n ...... . . ..... pLiiu.cimi uumu iihu tuiuuuncea il will reauce its fuel oil and gasoline supplies for the armed forces by about v,uU v rjoiunia a iiiutiiii, GAS QUALITY SOON TO IMPROVE The petroleum industry is now operating at an all-time record rate. Not nillv will pivilinne nt i:. i.. .... . ... . ... - . "iwic Kcasuiiuc, uui ine quality will return soon to peacetime standards with the cutback of mili- .........a-uii-iiia iui aviation IUC1. Removal Of hlllP-ctamn a.annAl 4V..:i.. l . ,i.t.t .. , f -"- ration list was made possible by military cutbacks. 10 keep these programs operating, Bowles asked members of the nation s 5.500 loeal mllnninn ha..J. a .. ... . the present. " "We Will ennttnuo in naaA . . , .. , i,r,p "CHst uniu meat, tlr and shoe rationing can be eliminated," he said- tires, the first commodity to next terns In he romnuoH trnn, - -. iaviuiuiig, m any event, todav m announcement could be depended on to make U. S. motorist! BLAZE DEST CHENEY BROTHERS CENTRAL PL ILL Fire of undetermined origin which started yesterday evening wnne tnousands of valley resi dents were celebrating V-J day, burned the Cheney Oregon Lum ber company stud mill at Cen tral Point to the ground in one of the largest fires in Southern Oregon for several years. Dis covered shortly before 7 p. m., the flames burned throughout the night, consuming stock piles while crews from the Central Point fire department, slate for est patrol, Medford fire depart ment and Camp White battled to save nearby buildings. Francis and Ben Cheney, bro thers, are owners of the mill, and Francis Cheney is local manager. It was understood to day that no estimate has been made on the damage, but the loss was covered by insurance and the mill will be rebuilt. Wind Fans Flames It was thought that the fire might have been caused by an overheated motor attached to the sawdust blower system, as the tire started at the north end , of the mill near the motor. A j north wind fanned the flames uiiougn ine Duiicung within live minutes, and continued to burn for several hours among piles of lumber. Efforts of the firemen were directed toward saving the office building south of the mill, and protecting the Southern Oregon Sugar Pine mill just across the railroad tracks. One shed of the Sugar Pine mill was set afire, and a small office of the Central Point Fuel company was completely burned. Cheney brothers, who own several other mills on the coast, suffered a similar loss in a fire at Tacoma, Wash., only a week ago. Principal work at the Cen tral Point mill was cutting rail road ties and 2 by 4's. T Washington, Aug 15 (U.R) The navy announced today It will release 1.500,000 to 2, 500.000 men and women In the next year lo 18 months un der a new point system. Approximately 327.000 men and women are eligible for Im mediate discharge. The Coast Guard demobiliza tion will be handled on the same system, The point system established by the Navy gives one-half point for each year of age, figured to the nearest birthday: One-half point for each full month of ac tive duty since Sept. 1, 1939: and 10 extra points for dependents. This means 10 points for depend ents In general, regnrdlcas of the number, el dependent. una uus, uuuer, sugar, snoes, urea uuwica Bciiu mat iigub now 11 m civilian buying restrictions can nnn n far n w ara innranA that these items will Bo off the list are anywhere near big enough a.uiaa mm vcKCliloies irom WO good crop prospects as well as by ' ule,r J0DS Ior a a . . .. be rationed, may be among the vii i r . . LOSS OF CRUISER WITH 880 LIVES Guam, Aug. 15 U.R) Two tremendous torpedo explosions sank the heavy cruiser Indian apolis July 30 and caused 1,198 casualties every man aboard ship while she was bound from Guam to Leyte, survivors report ed today. The navy announced that 860 of the casualties were killed or missing in one of the worct U. S. naval disasters of war or peace time history. The other 318 casualties were wounded. The 9,950-ton cruiser wa sunk shortly after delivering es sential atomic bomb material to Guam. Survivors said they watched some 200 of their shipmates per ish after five days of helpless threshing in the sea. Many of the men went mad from drink ing sea water before the group was sighted by search planes 280 miles north of Pclcliu. FATE OF PETAIN UP TO DEGAULLE Paris. Aug. 15 (U.R) The fat of Marshal Henri Philippe i'e tain, who was condemned to di by the Paris high court for trea sonable intelligence with the en emy, rested today with Gen. Charles DeGaullc. The jury, after finding Pctaln guilty, recommended that tha sentence not be carried out be cause of the 89-year-old mar shal's age. It was believed the mercy recommendation undoubt edly would be placed immediate ly before DcGaulle the man who was once sentenced to death in absentia by a Vichy court. Pctain was found guilty on th charge of intelligence with the enemy, but not guilty of charges of plotting to gain power and against the security of the stale. Thus he was guilty on one main charge and not guilty on two. Lo as 'Temporary' Tokyo Radio Tells Japanese Soldiers San Francisco, Aug. 15 (U.R) Radio Tokyo told Jap anese forces on the far-flung Pacific fighting fronts today that Japan's defeat was only 'temporary." Kusuo Oya, chief of the overseas bureau of the Jap anese Broadcasting Corpora tion, exhorted the Japanese troops to "face defeat like a brave one" ' Let us all unite together and work to once again bring our nation up to stand as strong and admirable nation " he said. "We liavo lost, but Uiu is itmpurauy , t "