13,000 TROOPS LAND FOR MARCH ON TOKYO
ARRIVAL OF CONVOY AFTER ACT SURRENDER
CEREMONY OF THE SIGNATURE ON BOARD MISSOURI
LUZON CAPITULATION TO-DAY
In the presence of 50 allied generals and other senior officers Japanese
envoys signed the allied instrument of unconditional surrender in the American
battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay yesterday.
Half an hour after the act of surrender a convoy of 42 ships entered Tokyo
Bay and landed 13,000 American troops. These troops are ready to march
on Tokyo as soon as General MacArthur gives the word.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Higashikuni, broadcast a message yesterday
appealing to the people of Japan to carry out faithfully the terms of the
surrender and the orders of the Emperor.
Lieutenant-General Yamashita, commander of the Japanese forces in the Philippines,
who gave himself up in Luzon yesterday, will offer the surrender of his
men to-day to Lieutenant General Wainwright.
ORDER OF THE SIGNING
IMPRESSIVE SCENE
From Our Special Correspondent ON BOARD U.S.S.MISSOURI, TOKYO BAY, Sept.2
Japanese came to the end of her dream of conquest today, as the war came
to an end, on the deck of one of America$B!G(Bs mightiest battleships. When
the Japanese representatives came on board early this morning clouds covered
the sky, but it was light enough for then to see the armada of United States
and British ships dominating Japan$B!G(Bs capital with their guns. Off the
bow of the Missouri lay H.M.S. Duke of York and H.M.S. King George V. The
Missouri$B!G(Bs guns were elevated to the sky, and on her deck was a table
with the surrender documents. Standing by were officers of all allied nations
who took part in the war against Japan. Twelve signatures were attached
to the instrument, which ended the war.
SILK-HATTED OFFICIALS
The Japanese delegates were either senior army officers or silk hatted
officials, Before the signing General MacArthur addressed them briefly,
saying: `As Supreme Commander for the allied Powers I announce it my firm
purpose in the tradition of the countries I represent to proceed to the
discharge of my responsibilities with justice and tolerance, while taking
all necessary dispositions to ensure that the terms of surrender are fully,
promptly, and faithfully complied with'. Mamoru Shigemitsu , Japan$B!G(Bs new
Foreign Minister, came forward, and for the Government and the Emperor
,affixed his signature to the two instruments of surrender. General Yoshijiro
Umezu, for the Imperial General Staff, followed him. When they had left
the table General MacArtur called for General Wainwright and General Percival,
and the American commander at Corregidor and the a British commander at
Singapore stood beside him as he wrote his name. He used five pens and
presented one to General Wainwright and one to General Percival. One of
the others will go to President Truman.
After General MacArthur, who signed as Supreme Commander, Admiral Nimitz
signed for the United States, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser for Britain, General
Hsu Young-Chang for China. Lieutenant General Kuzma Derevyanko for Russia,
General Blamey For Australia, Air Vice marshal Isitt for New Zealand, General
le Clerc for France, and General L.H.van Oyen for the Netherlands.
FIFTY GENERALS
The ceremony lasted hardly 20 minutes, though it was delayed at the start
by the slowness of Shigemitsu. Dressed in the conventional clothes of a
European diplomat, he fumbled first in one pocket and produced a watch,
then in another and produced a second watch, finally he found his pen,
but it would not write at first. Umezu, in contrast, quickly wrote his
signature. As he did so tears steamed down the face of a colonel on his
staff. That was the only sign of emotion shown by the Japanese. At the
end they left with one copy of the terms imposed by the allies.
Fifty generals and many admirals were present. Over the Missouri fluttered
an American flag with only 31 stars; it was the one flown by Commodore
Perry when he entered Japanese waters 92 years ago. Sound recordings of
the event were made and were sent to a special communications ship for
transmission to the rest of the world.
General MacArthur, in his preliminary speech, said that the representatives
of the chief warring Powers had met to conclude a solemn agreement by which
peace might be restored.
`The issues involving divergent ideals and ideologies have been determined
on the battlefields of the world and are not for our discussion or debate.
Nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do the majority of the
people of the earth, in a spirit of distrust, malice, or, hatred, But rather
it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity
which alone benefits the sacred purposes we are about to serve, committing
all our peoples unreservedly to faithful compliance with the undertakings
they are here formally to assume. It is my earnest hope, and, indeed, the
hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall
emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past a world founded upon
faith and understanding a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the
fulfilment of his most cherished wishfor freedom, tolerance, and justice.
Briefly, what Japan agreed to do by her signature today was: 1) to accept
all the provision of the Potsdam declaration; 2) to surrender unconditionally
all her armed forces; 3) to cease hostilities forthwith and preserve and
save from damage all ships, aircraft, and military and civil property:
4) to command Imperial Headquarters to issue orders to all field commanders
everywhere to surrender their forces unconditionally: 5) to see that all
civil, military, and naval officials obey and enforce all orders of the
Supreme Commander 6)to carry out in good faith under allied direction the
terms of the Potsdam declaration, under which free institutions may be
established. Leading to the restoration of sovereignty; 7) to liberate
all allied prisoners of war and civilian internees and see that they arrive
safely at the points of embarkation; and 8)to acknowledge that the authority
of the Emperor and the Japanese Government is subject to the will of the
Supreme Commander.
After the surrender ceremony both General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz
made speeches. They paid homage to those who had fought but had not lived
to see the day of victory. General MacArthur said the holly mission was
ended, and, in reporting it, he spoke for the thousands of silent lips
stilled in the jungles, on the beaches, and in the deep waters of Pacific,
and also for the brave millions now homeward bound. Scientific discovery,
he declared in a reference to the atomic bomb, had reached a point, which
revised the traditional concept of war. The utter destructiveness of war
blotted out that method of settling international differences. The world
had had its last chance, and if it did not devise some greater and more
equitable system Armageddon would be at door.
Admiral Nimitz declared that the American forces in the Pacific had written
heroic new chapters in America$B!G(Bs military history, and he acknowledged
the great contribution to victory by `our valiant allies.
THANKS TO BRITISH FLEET
ADOMIRAL FRASER$B!G(BS MESSAGE
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT TOKYO, SEPT 2
Ships of the British Pacific Fleet were ordered to splice the man brace
in Tokyo Harbour by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser today to celebrate the signing
of the surrender terms. All hands were issued a special tot of rum in accordance
with the Royal Navy$B!G(Bs custom after great victories.
On board the Missouri Admiral Fraser, after signing the instrument of surrender
on behalf of Great Britain, followed General Mac Arthur $B!F(Bs example and
presented a pen to Vice-Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, who commanded the
British naval force throughout its arduous campaigns in the Pacific.
In a statement after the ceremony, Admiral Fraser said; -`the good which
may come of this war is hard to assess to soon after the evil. But to me
one of the greatest benefits would seem to be the way in which members
oh the United Nations have learned to fight, work, and live at each others
side in friendship and admiration. In my fleet, and in the fleet train,
which has done so much to support us, we have representatives not only
of the whole British Empire, but also of many of the allied nations. To
all of you I say; Thank you for your loyalty, determination, and, sacrifices.
This has been a job into which all of you have put your hearts, and for
which many have given their lives`
DUTIES ELSEWHERE
British landing forces are still on shore in Yokosuka naval base, but they
will probably be relieved by United States army troops on a few days. It
is unlikely that British ships will remain in Japan much longer. Some are
expected to return to Great Britain, while others may be required elsewhere
for the reoccupation of surrendered ports.
Now that the war is formally over, the Australian squadron ends its long
association with the United States 7th Fleet, with which it served in the
Solomons, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Borneo. Ships of the squadron
will now revert to the command of the Commonwealth Naval Board. Commodore
J.A. Collins, who with Pear-Admiral G.D.Moore represented the Royal Australian
Navy at the signing ceremony, commands the Australian squadron in Tokyo
Bay.
Tokyo Bay, Sept.2-Reuter
Admiral Halsey, commander of the United States Third Fleet witnessed the
ancient naval ceremony of `Sunset Colours` when he came on board the Duke
of York this evening as the guest of Admiral Fraser. The two Admirals stood
together on the quarterdeck while the flags of the allied nations were
slowly lowered from the masts, to the accompaniment of a band playing under
the guns and of massed bugles on the turret tops. The ceremony was opened
with the regulation rifle shot, fired from a 14in gun turret.
Afterwards Admiral Halsey, exercising the privilege of honorary membership
conferred on him during a previous visit, entered the wardroom and, marching
straight to the bar, rapped the counter and ordered six rums for Admiral
Fraser, Vice-Admiral Rawlings, and other flag officers. The surprised wardroom
officers, who were themselves in the midst of toasting the day$B!G(Bs events,
enthusiastically received this characteristic gesture. -Reuter.
JAPAN SURRENDERS TO ALLIES, SIGNS RIGID TERMS ON WARSHIP; TRUMAN SETS TODAY
AS V-J DAY Times Sq$B!%(BTakes V-J Day
Times Square throng, which had greeted Japanese capitulation explosively last month, took, the formal signing of terms in much calmer fashion last night.
Two hundred police man including twenty-five mounted patrolman, who had
been assigned to the area in case of another outburst of feeling, reported
that, the street crowds took the flashing of the bulletin from Times Tower
at 10:04PM.with a few cheers and good natured remarks, and did not attempt
to start a celebration.
In numbers the crowd was no larger than an average Saturday night, and
of the persons present perhaps half or more were out of town visitors here
for the Labor Day weekend, the police estimated. Other parts of the city
were similarly quiet.
Mayor La Guardia had said earlier that the people "have had their
big time and are satisfied." He decides not to hold a celebration
in Central Park today as had as had been planned.
Japans Surrender Ordered Over Militarist Opposition
By FRANK L. KLUCKHOHN
TOKYO, Sept.1 In the rubble of this once-proud imperial capital the story
of how the Emperor made the final decision to capitulate after having hard
the opinions of all his advisers, how War Minister Korechika Anami had
committed suicide was unfolded today by one of handful of those in a position
to know without bias what occurred.
It was also learned how the Japanese reacted step by step to war time developments
and how propaganda that Japan could win had been continued to the last
moment, thus leaving the industrious long-suffering man in the street stunned
when the surrender was announced.
As the result of the Potsudam Declaration there were several Cabinet meetings
daily in which there were sharp differences of opinion about continuing
war, with War Minister Anami speaking for military caste and favoring the
continuation of the hostilities. It was the army$B!G(Bs official viewpoint
that, despite the vast destruction caused by the bombings, the war could
be carried on and the Allies defeated on the shores of Japan.
The army$B!G(Bs spokesman, appointed by Prime Minister Baron Kantaro Suzuki
to the post of War Minister, insisted that bulk of Japan$B!G(Bs military forces
had not been brought into action and that it could be used effectively
Finally, immediately previous to the Japanese offer to accept the Potsudam
Declaration with the understanding that the Emperor would be retained,
the disputing of the Cabinet plus the so called new Elder Statesmen, including
recent Premiers like Prince Fumimaro Konoye, who had been forced to resign
just previous to the Pear Harbor attack and Gen. Hideki Tojo, who was Premier
was responsible for the sneak attack and the prosecution of most of war,
as well as the Supreme War Council, which was responsible directly to the
Emperor.
TOKYO AIDES WEEP AS GENERAL SIGNS Imperial Staff Chief Hastily Scrawl His Signature$B!=(B Shigemitu Is Anxious
ABOARD U.S.S.MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay, Sunday, Sept. 2 $B!=(B The solemn surrender
ceremony, on this battleship today, making the first defeat in Japan$B!G(Bs
2600-years-old semi-legendary history, required only few minutes as twelve
signatures were affixed to the articles.
Surrounded by the might of the United Stats navy and army, and under the
eyes of the American and English Commanders they so ruthlessly defeated
in the Philippines and Malaya, the Japanese representative quietly made
the marks on paper that ended the bloody Pacific conflict.
The Japanese delegation came aboard at 8:55AM, 7:55PM. Saturday. E.W.T,
as scheduled. They reached the Missouri in personnel speed boats fling
the American flag.
Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitu led the delegation. He climbed stiffly
up the ladder and limped forward on his right leg, which is artificial.
He was wounded by a bomb tossed by a Korean terrorist in Shanghai many
years ago.
On behalf of Emperor Hirohito, Mr. Shigemitsu signed first for Japan. He
doffed his top hat, tinkered with the pen and then firmly affixed his signature
to the surrender document, a paper about twelve by eighteen inches. Mr.Shigemitsu
carefully signed the American copy first, then affixed his name to a duplicate
copy to be retained by Japan.
Following him Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu, chief of the Imperial General Staff
sat dawn resolutely and scrawled his name on the documents as if in a tremendous
hurry. A Japanese colonel present was seen to wipe tears from his eyes
as the general signed. All the Japanese looked tense and weary. Mr. Shigemitu
looked on anxiously as General Umezu signed.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was next to sign, as Supreme Commander for the Allies,
on behalf of all the victorious Allies Powers. General MacArthur immediately
called for Lieut. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright of Bataan and Corregidor
and Lieut. Gen. Arthur E. Percival of Singapore to step forward. These
two defeated Allied hour of triumph, stepped up, and commanders. Now savoring
their General Wainwright helped General MacArthur to take his seat.
General MacArthur signed the documents with five pens. The first he handed
immediately to General Wainwright, the second to General Percival. The
third was an ordinary shipboard Navy issue pen.
General MacArthur then produce a fourth pen, presumably to be sent to President
Truman. Then he completed his signatures with still a fifth, possibly a
trophy to be retained by himself.
Generals Wainright and Percival, both obviously happy, saluted snappily.
They are followed by serene faced Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who signed
on behalf of the United States. Next came China$B!G(Bs representative.
General MacArthur acted as a brisk master of ceremonies. He made a brief
introductory statement before the Japanese signed, then called upon each
nations signer in turn step forward. The United Kingdom$B!G(Bs signature was
followed by that of the Soviet Union.
The Russian staff officer signed quickly, scooting his chair into a more
comfortable position even as he was sitting. General MacArthur smiled approvingly
as the Russian rose and saluted. Quickly in turn Australian, Canadian,
French, Netherlands and New Zealand representatives signed in that order.
The Australian, Sir Thomas Blamey, happened to sign the Japanese copy first,
with an expression that denoted that it did not make any difference.
Finally, after New Zealand signature, less than twenty minutes from the
start of the ceremony, General MacArthur formally and in a firm voice declared
the proceeding closed.
The Japanese prepared to depart immediately, their bitter chore accomplished.
The historic signing took place a long table on the gallery deck. Allied
representatives were sober faced, but obviously glad it was over. Soldiers,
sailors and marines, some of whom had fought their way across the Pacific,
hardly could hide a trace of exuberance on their serious faces.
General Wainright, by his own request, was accompanied by his chief of
staff, Brig. Gen. Lewis Beebe; his aides, Col John Pugh and Lieut. Col.
Thomas Dooley, and his orderly chauffeur, Sgt.Herbert Carroll, when he
accompanied General MacArthur. General Percival was accompanied by his
orderly.
This was a great day for one of the Navy$B!G(Bs shrewdest and best liked high
officers. Vice Admiral John S.(Uncle John) McCain, who was on deck for
the signing.
"Uncle John" who directed the work of mighty Task Force 38 in
the final blows against Japan, chatted with his great friend, Admiral William
F. Halsey, whom Admiral McCain called affectionately "that Billy Halsey."
It was a day with a double meaning for Admiral McCain, for it was his last
sea duty following thirty-nine years in the United States Navy $B!=(B twenty-six
of them of the high seas. Presently he is going to Washington desk job,
but today he was a fighting man, still watching some 1,000 of his carrier
planes roaring overhead.
Other United States naval officers present were Vice Admiral Forest C.
Sherman, Vice Admiral naval John A. Towers, commander of naval air in the
Pacific; Vice Admiral Theodore C. Wilkinson, who directed many amphibious
landings under both Admiral Halsey and Admiral Thomas C. Kinkalid, commander
of the Seventh Fleet; Rear Admiral Oscar C. Bedger, commander of the task
force that landed occupation troops, and Commander Maher, recently liberated
officer of the cruiser Houston, lost early in 1942.
Lieut. Gen. Robert E. Geiger, commander of the Marine forces in the Pacific,
represented the Marine Corps, as Admiral Nimitz$B!G(Bs guest.
Among United States Army officers present were Generals Joseph W. Stilwell
Carl A. Spaatz and George C. Kenny, Lieut. Gens. Robert L. Eichelberger
and Walter Krueger, commanders of United States Eighth and Sixth Armies,
and Lieut. Gen. Robert C. Richardson Jr., commander of the United States
Army forces in the Central Pacific.
Several American recently liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps
also viewed the ceremonies.
Handed the Japanese copy of the document after all twelve signatures had
been inscribed, Mr. Sigemitsu doffed his top hat gain, noted that someone
had signed on the wrong line and inquired about that. Told the surrender
was formal anyhow, he bowed and the Japanese party left.
How MacArthur Signed
ABOARD THE U.S.S MISSURI, in Tokyo Bay, Sunday, Sept. 2 $B!=(B General MacArthur
signed "Doug" with the first pen and handed it to General Wainwright.
He took up the second pen and signed "las" to complete his first
name and handed that one to pen for the "MacArthur" and used
two more to sign the second document.
General MacArthur blotted his signatures. As he did, a single giant B29
roared out of the mist overhead.
General MacArthur$B!G(Bs hand was shaking as he started to sign. He seemed
deeply moved.
Admiral Nimitz stepped to the table with his aides. Admiral Halsey, commander
of the Third Fleet, and Rear Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, behind him. He
signed swiftly coolly.
Signing for the Allies were:
United Kingdom $B!=(B Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser.
Soviet Union $B!=(B Lieut. Gen. Kuzma Derevyanko.
Canada $B!=(B Col. L. Moore Cosgrave.
Australia $B!=(B Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey.
France $B!=(B Gen. Jacques-Pierre Leclerc.
Netherlands $B!=(B Admiral Conrad E.L.Helfrich.
New Zealand $B!=(B Air Vice Marshal Leonard M.Isitt.
Admiral Helflich, who was Allied commander in the tragic, heroic Java Sea
battle in 1942, fiddled with his pen as started to sign. General MacArthur
stepped up to help him. The pen worked and Admiral Helfrich, signing quickly
saluted.
WAR GONE TO END Articles of Capitulation Endorsed by Countries in Pacific Conflict
M$B!G(BARTHUR SEES PEACE
Emperor Orders Subjects to Obey All Commands Issued by General
ABOARD THE U.S.S.MISOURI in Tokyo Bay Sunday, Sept. 2 $B!=(B Japan surrendered
formally and unconditionally to the Allies today in a twenty minutes ceremony
which ended just as the sun burst through low-hanging clouds as a shining
symbol to a ravaged world now done with war.
[A United Press dispatch said the leading Japanese delegate signed the
articles at 9:03A.M,Sunday, Tokyo time, and that General MacArthur signed
them at 9:07 A.M.]
Twelve signatures, requiring only a few minutes to inscribe on the articles
of surrender, ended the bloody Pacific conflict.
On behalf of Emperor Hirohito, Foreign Minister Mamoru Sigemitsu signed
for the Government and Gen. Yoshijiro Umezufor the Imperial General Staff.
MacArthur Voices Peace Hope
Gen. Douglas MacArthur then accepted in behalf of the United Nations, declaring:
"It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from
this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage
of the past."
One by one the Allies representatives stepped forward and signed the document
that blighted Japan$B!G(Bs dream of empire build on bloodshed and tyranny.
First was Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for the United States, then the representatives
of China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet, Australia, Canada, France, the
Netherlands and New Zealand.
The flags of the United States; Britain, Soviet and China fluttered from
the veranda deck of the famed superdreadnaught, polished and scrubbed as
never before. More than 100 high-ranking military and naval officers watched.
Pledges Justice and Tolerance
"As Supreme Commander for the Allies powers" General MacArthur
told the Japanese, "I announce it my firm purpose, in the tradition
of the countries I represent, to proceed in the discharge of my responsibilities
with justice and tolerance, while taking all necessary dispositions to
insure that the terms of surrender are fully, promptly and faithfully complied
with."
All through this dramatic half hour, only those abroad the battleship knew
of what was taking place, because the Missouri has no broadcasting facilities.
But recording were rushed to the near-by communications ship. Ancon, and
the solemn words of General MacArthur beginning the ceremony $B!=(B "We
are gathered here, representatives of the major warring the powers"
$B!=(B were flashed around the world.
The Japanese representatives were present at the command of Emperor Hirohito
contained in a proclamation issued by the other of the Supreme Allied Commander.
The Emperor further commanded his officials "to issue general orders
to the military and naval forces in according with the direction of the
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers." The Imperial General Headquarters
issued the order later.
Thus Emperor Hirohito formally acknowledged that General MacArthur$B!G(Bs word
in Japan would come foremost of all Japanese officialdom during the Allies$B!G(B
occupation of the country, which never before had been occupied by an alien
force.
"I commanded all my people forth with to cease hostilities,"
the Emperor said, "to lay down their arms and faithfully to carry
out all the provisions of the instrument of surrender and the general orders
issued by the Imperial General Headquarters hereunder."
World News Summarized$B!!(BSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1945
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1945
The rulers of Japan, who set the Pacific ablaze nearly four years ago with their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and hoped to culminate that assault with a peace dictated in the White House, formally signed their unconditional surrender to the Allied powers in Tokyo Bay. Foreign Minister Shigemitsu signed the historic document for his country in the shadow of the sixteen-inch gun muzzles of the battleship Missouri. General MacArthur, who signed in behalf of the Allies, said mankind hoped a better world would result from the solemn occasion.
President Truman proclaimed today as V-J Day. He urged the nation to observe the day of victory over Japan in a spirit of dedication and as a symbol of $B!H(Bvictory of liberty over tyranny.$B!I(B He also asked his countrymen to remember $B!H(Bour departed gallant leader, Franklin D. Roosevelt.$B!I(B
Japan$B!G(Bs decision to surrender was dictated by Emperor Hirohito after he had overruled a strong faction within the Cabinet and the army that wanted to keep on with the war in the belief that the Japanese could defeat as invasion of the homeland, according to well-informed observers in Tokyo.
Medical $B!H(Bexperiments$B!I(B recalling medieval sadism were carried out on dying American prisoners of war by young Japanese army doctors, two American physicians interned with their compatriots said aboard a United States hospital ship.
With the Foreign Ministers$B!G(B Council scheduled to meet in London next week to begin consideration of peace terms, it was learned that a serious division of opinion over the disposition of the Italian colonies had developed in the State Department.
Former Secretary of State Stettinius said in London that the development of the atomic bomb emphasized the need for $B!H(Bthe speedy creation of the United Nations Organization to keep the peace of the world$B!I(B and predicted that as soon as the organization began functioning it would appoint a military staff to deal with the use of atomic bombs as well as all other types of force in preserving peace.
The complete text of President Truman$B!G(Bs V-J day speech, as recorded and transcribed in the recording room of the New York Times follows:
My Fellow Americans. Supreme Allied Commander General MacArthur and allied representatives on the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay:
The thoughts and hopes of all American-indeed of all the civilized world $B!=(B are centered tonight on the battleship Missouri. There on the small piece of American soil anchored in Tokyo harbor the Japanese have just officially laid down their arms. They have signed terms of unconditional surrender.
Four years ago the thoughts and fears of the whole civilized world were
centered on another piece of American soil $B!=(BPearl Harbor. The mighty threat
to civilization which began there is now laid at rest. It was a long road
to Tokyo $B!=(B and a bloody one.
We shall not forget Pear Harbor.
The Japanese militarists will not forget the U.S.S. Missouri.
The evil done by the Japanese war loads can never be repaired of forgotten.
But their power to destroy and kill has been taken from them. Their armies and what is left of their Navy are now important.
To all of us there comes from first a sense of gratitude to Almighty God
Who sustained us and our Allies in the dark days of grave danger. Who made
us to grow from weakness into the strongest fighting force in the history,
and Who seen us overcome the forces of tyranny that sought to destroy his
civilization.
God grant that in our pride of this hour we may not forget the hard tasks
that are still before; that we may approach these with the same courage,
zeal and patience with which we faced a trials and problems of the past
four years.
Our first thought, of course $B!=(B thoughts of gratefulness and deep obligation
$B!=(B go out to those of our loved ones who have been killed or maimed in
this terrible war. On land and sea in the air American men and women have
given their lives so that this day of ultimate victory might come and assure
the survival of a civilized world. No victory can make good their loss.
We think of those whom death in this war has hurt, taking from them fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and sisters whom they loved. No victory bring back the faces they long to see.
Only the knowledge that the victory, which these sacrifices have made possible,
will be wisely used can give them any comfort. It is our responsibility$B!=(B
ours and living $B!=(B to see to it that this victory shall we a monument worthy
of the dead who died win it.
We think of all the millions of men and women in our armed forces and merchant marines all over the world who, after years of sacrifice and hard ship and peril, have been spared by Providence from harrs
We think of all the men and women and children who during these years have carried on at home, in lonesomeness and anxiety and fear.
Our thoughts go out o the millions of American workers and business men, to our farmers, and miner $B!=(B to all those who have built up this country$B!G(Bs fighting strength and who have shipped to our Allies the means to resist and overcome the enemy.
Our thoughts go out to our civil servants and to the thousands of Americans who, at personal sacrifices, have come to serve in our Government during these trying years; to the member of the Selective Service Boards and ration boards; to the civilian defense and Red Cross workers; to the men and women in the USO and in the entertainment world $B!=(B to all those who have helped in this co-operative struggle to preserve liberty and decency in the world.
We think of our departed gallant leader, Franklin D. Roosevelt, defender of democracy, architect of world peace and cooperation.
And our thought go out to our gallant Allies in this war; to those who resisted the invaders; to those, who were not strong enough to hold out but who nevertheless kept the fires of resistance alive within the souls of there people; to those who stood up against great odds and held the lines until the United Nations together were able to supply the arms and the men with which to overcome the force of evil.
This is the victory of more than arms alone. This is a victory of liberty
over tyranny.
From our war plants rolled the tanks and planes which blasted their way to the heart of our enemies; from our shipyards sprang the ships which bridged all the oceans of the world for our weapons and supplies; from our farms came the foods and fiber for our armies and navies and for all corners of the earth; from our mines and factories came the law materials and the finished products which gave us the equipment to overcome our enemies.
But back of it all were the will and spirit and determination of a free people $B!=(B who know what freedom is , and who know that it is worth whatever price they had to pay to preserve it.
It was the spirit of liberty which give us our armed strength and which made our men invincible in battle. We now know that that spirit of liberty, the freedom of the individual and the personal dignity of man are the strongest and toughest and most enduring forces in all the world.
And so on V-J Day, we take renewed faith and pride in our own way of life. We have had our day of rejoicing over this victory. We have had our day of prayer and devotion. Now let us set aside V-J Day as one or renewed consecration to the principles which have made us the strongest nation on earth and which, in this war, we have striven so mightily to preserve.
Those principles provide the faith, the hope and the opportunity which helped men to improve themselves and there lot. Liberty does not make all men perfect nor all society secure. But it has provided more solid progress and happiness and decency for more people than any other philosophy government in history. And this day has shown again that it provides the greatest power which man has ever reached.
We know that under it we can meet hard problem of peace which have come upon us. A free people with free Allies, who can develop atomic bomb, can use the same skill and energy and determination to overcome all the difficulties ahead.
Victory always has its burdens and its responsibilities as well as its rejoicing.
But we face the future and all its dangers with great confidence and great hope. American can build for itself a future of employment and security. Together with the United Nations it can built the world of peace founded on justice and fair dealing and tolerance.
As President of the United States I proclaim Sunday Sept. 2. 1945 to be V-J Day $B!=(B the day of the formal surrender of Japan. It is not yet the day for the formal proclamation of the end of the war nor of the cessation hostilities. But it is a day which we Americans shall always remember as a day of retribution $B!=(B as we remember that other day, the day of infamy.
From this day we move forward. We move toward a new era of security at home. With the other United Nations we move toward a new and better world of cooperation, of peace and international good-will.
God$B!G(Bs help has bought us to this day of victory. With His help we will attain that peace and prosperity for ourselves and all the world in the years ahead.
