The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-30


 Typical of the stories played up are these
 Japs attacked in rear on Philip pines. With maps to show where the Jap conveys have been sunk and what the losses were.
 B-29s raid Manchuria. With quo- tations from Tokyo radio to lend credibility to the claims of dam age inflicted.
 Hundred thousand tons of bombs dropped on Germany. Pointing out that 50,000 airmen took part in around -the-clock raids on "Japan's last ally" and letting the idea sink in that such things might be in store for Japan.
 INVITATIONS TO SURRENDER
 Surrender Passes" printed in three gaudy colors have been drop ped over the Jap lines in quantity in the China and Burma theaterS. They have the word Surrender" printed in big type in English, Chinese and Japanese, with instruc- tions to Chinese and American troops that the bearer of the pass is surrendering, should be treated courteously and taken to headquar- ters.
 The surrender passes haven't been very effective, one handicap being that the Allied troops in the field don't seem to like the Jap soldiers well enough to let them be captured alive. But the need for taking Jap prisoners for questioning, and the need for breaking down the Jap idea that to surrender is disgraceful are both important.
 This later idea is encountered by dropping leaflets which show pie lures of Japanese soldiers who have surrendered, enjoying life as prison CTS of war Their eyes are masked in the photographs for the protec- tion of their families. But, says translation of the message printed on the reverse side of the leaflet, Look at their peaceful faces. Their breasts are filled with the glorious hope of becoming pillars of the Japan of tomorrow, freed from the grasp of the militarists."
 Surrendering JapS are offered plentiful food, clothing, sweets and cigarets with full protection of their identity. To build up the good- treatment idea one leaflet shows a sketch of smiling Army medical officer, a captain, below which is a sketch of Jap soldier, his wounds bandaged, sitting on bed and writ ing a letter. The caption of the leaflet is, My new feeling towards Americans" with the explanation that these are the words written by one of your" (Sapanese) comrades, now recuperating in an Allied hos- pital.
 "A MAN CLOSE TO A GOD"
 Until the recent disgraceful event (of my capture)" reads the soldiers letter, T had been taught to picture Americans as devils wear ing masks of gold. Since then, how ever, have had to drive that feel ing about Americans out of my heart It was meeting Captain Paul xxx, the American Army doctor who looks after our ward, that made me change my feeling He treats us with humanity which transcends all barriers of national ity or race. He is man close to a god"
 Another effort to break down the "hate feeling" which is major ob- stacle to the acceptance of all American ideas, was put into a New Years greeting card, with picture of Jap maiden in native dress. The caption says she is embarrassed at wearing grown-up style, of hair dress for the first time.
 The fighting spirit you have shown during the old year was worthy of Japanese heroes and has won our respect" says the New Year Japanese pin-up girl type of greeting. we hope the day will soon come when we can call each other friends Since We cannot extend personal greetings, we take this means to extend our New Year wishes"