Evening star., 1945-06-08

I'll m q and not
withstanding the enemys propa-
sanda retort, there is some reason
to believe it may be one OF the most
effective.
The great basic fact becoming
clearer every day. to make it SO is
that Japan is doomed and beaten
nation. With Germany utterly de-
stroyed, she stands today without a
friend in the world, facing an over
vhelming force. Unless the Japa-
nese military and economic leaders
are complete fanatical fools, which
is not the case, they are entireiy
aware of the hopelessness OF their
situation.
No "Soft Peace"
This being so, it just makes no
sense whatever for them to keep
on fighting. They cannot, OF course
expect soft peace" The END can
come only through unconditional
surrender of their army, navy ana
air force; return of Manchufla 10
China and of all territory selzeo
from the British and Dutch, To-
eether with reparations.
This is no soft peace, but the
alternative is complete and utter
ruin. a devastation beyond anything
known. The longer they fight, the
tougher 1t will be for them.
In the end Russia, almost lneV-
ttably. will be an active ally IN tne
COLLAPSE, and the final terms Tor
Japan will be far worse than those
she might obtain now. She then
would be stripped of everything sne
had left, permanently crippled, help-
less, ruined beyond hope Of recovery
Might Keep Korea.
Immediate capitulation would,
perhaps, enable her to keep Korea
and Formosa, to prevent the COM
plete wreckage of her industrial ma
chinery and to keep hope OF even
tual economic recovery. Exactly that
hope was held out in the Truman
statement, which said that we nave
no desire to exterminate or enslaVe
the japanese people.
There is sound ground for bellev-
ing our British ally is in entire ac-
cord with the Truman view. Pro-
longation of the war in no way
would alter the result, but 1t would
unnecessarily cost the lives OF many
thousands more American soldiers
and sailors. In addition, the strain
upon our economic and fiscal system
would be greatly increased.
And there is another reason for
ending the fighting within the next
few months before Russia comes In
as an ally. So far as the British and
ourselves are concerned, this war
has been won without Russia, but
Russian entrance might hasten the
end and certainly would entitle Rus
sia to voice in the peace terms.
Would Demand Manchuria.
It is agreed that the Russian de-
mand would be for Manchuria and
neither the British nor ourselves
would be in position to reject that
demand. Russian domination of
Manchuria, in time, would mean
the communication of all China;
ultimately of all Asia Any one who
thinks that would be to our advan-
tage is a little thick in the head.
AS far as the japanese are con-
cerned, Russian entrance, it is ar
gued would mean a more ruthless
end of the war and more terrible
postwar division Of her territory and
treatment of her people. The Jap
anese feeling toward Russia in this
respect is not very different from
that of the Germans.
A quick end on our terms is, of
course, highly desirable for both
Americans and British. But it is
infinitely more desirable for Japan.
Her choice is between what she can
get now and practical determination.
This is so clear that the belief grows
In Washington that peace ever
tllre made possible by the Truman