Evening star., 1943-02-04

japanese Soldiers
Yield 10 American
Call for Surrender
Legend Diseredited;,
One Prisoner Hopes to
Be Amerieun Citizen
BY WILLIAM NIPPLE,

i BY WILLIAM NIPPLE,
Il Associated Press War Correspondent,
i GUADALCANAL Delayed An
encouraging sign was seen here to-
day. when a number of japanese
4 soldiers surrendered voluntarily in
response to broadcast over q
loudspeaker from the American
lines.
II They were the first Japanese on
u Guadalcanal to give themselves up
without compulsion and discredit
the legend that all Japanese are
ready to fight until death for Em-
peror and country.
These hungry, sick soldiers def
nitelv were discouraged and tired
Of fighting. They gladly accepted
American offers to give them hot
cooked rice, cigarettes and good
treatment and came in with their
hands in the air.
Il was sure I would die" one of
the prisoners said through an In
terpreter. There was no hope.
They have promised us reinforce
ments and airplanes day after day,
but these promises never were kept.
My feelings as true japanese
soldier were gone.
Wants to Be American.
II didn't want to be japanese
any more-I wanted to be an Amer
ican. When heard the voice from
the Americans promising good food
and good treatment, I came in"
This prisoner was Pvt. Akiyoshi
Hasamoto, %, of Fukuoka in South
ern Japan. He said many other
Japanes soldiers felt as he did about
the war and expressed the belief
that many others would surrender
In response to broadcasts in Jap
anese and pamphlets written in
japanese.
Furthermore, Hasmoto said that
If Guadalcanal is a sample he
doesn't think Japan will win the
war.
The. Japanese soldiers were told
by their officers on landing, he said,
that fighting against the Americans
would be easy and 1t would be
easy to take prisoners. He said
he soon developed a high respect
for American fighters.
Hasamoto readily answered all
questions put in Japanese by Marine
Capt. Eugene p. Boardman Of Fort
Atkinson, Wis.
A young carpenter with an ele-
mentary education, Hasamoto joined
the Army in 1910, becoming a
member of the Sd Battalion of the
l24th Infantry. which was part OF
the 18th Division.
Regiment Destroyed.
His regiment, called the "OKA"
unit after its commanding officer,
Col. Okla. was the best regiment
In the Japanese Army" until 1t was
mercilessly cut up on Guadalcanal,
he said.
Hasamoto said he was a veteran
Of the China, Borneo, Celebes and
Philippines campaigns. His unit
was ordered to 60 to Malaga. but
the ship Katorima Maru, formerly
on the Pacific passenger run, was
t0rpedoed by = submarine.
49, Ss~ aAAvCA W uC0NOyCA Ou tllc
y Gn.p coast OF duadalcanal
AueuBt 81. 1912, and was an ar
tflleryn6An during. the battle OF
EdsDns Radae Septen3er. II and 13.
~ 413th men ting from
TN IN ~ Hg:sis |,re eepUr'ea r.. =
terrible thing.
At the time of his surrender his
battalion = normally about 900
strong -had been reduced to go
electives. He said he was in a
pocket which vas pounded night
and day by artillery.
Wanted American Booty.
japanese officers told their troops
that each dead or captured Ameri-
can would have q wrist watch and
money and that these were to be
turned over to the military police.
The Japanese soldiers were permit
ted to keep clothing, souvenirs and
equipment. At no time, Hasamoto
said, did he hear any atrocity stories
about what the Americans would do
to captured Japanese soldiers.
The prisoner said that at no time
did he have enough to eat. He said
he had planned to 60 home, set up
his own carpenter shop, get mar
ried and have a large family II
Japan won. Now, disgraced at home
and ofhcially classified as dead, he
wants to 60 to America and build
houses. ..
Officers Discuss Surrender.
Hasamoto said that at the time
he surrendered several officers as
sembled and seriously discussed sur
rendering but finally decided to re-
main and die with the sick and
wounded He said he believed they
would change their minds
Hasamoto said he wished to do
everything possible to help the
United States win the war and
offered to broadcast from the lines
to his comrades.
Another prisoner who surrendered
In response to the loudspeaker was
Pfc. 1samu Kozawa of Nagoya,
Japan. He joined the Army in 1898
ana mas seen service on many
fronts. He was a stretcher bearer
during the occupation OF Hong
kong.
Jap Food Low.
Kozawa said the daily food ration
on Guadalcanal was hree-tenths
of pint of rice, powdered soy
bean flour and barley cakes. Every
10 days small can of vegetables
was handed out.
Kozawa said he was cut on on
January II, heard the broadcast
and, being tired of it all, thought
the best thing to do was to come
in with his hands up.
The prisoners are we'll treated
in stockade here. They are very
fond Of American cigarettes.
Health Officer Has Mumps
PORTLAND. Oreg. R.-1t can