The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-06-11
MAJOR SCHMIDT TALKS ON JAPAN
 BEFORE ROTARY
Tells of Destroyed Cities Reaction of Japanese
 People fo Conquerors

Major J. LcWIS Scnnnul, SOIl U Rotarian George Schmidt, and re- cent member of the. occupationa troops of Japan, held the rapt at. tsntion of Juneau Rotary Clul members this noon as he unfoldet candid and detailed observation of occupied Japan.
 The long range strategical bomb ing by the Army Air Force wal aimed directly at the destruction ol Japanese cities, Schmidt said Bombers were told to operate tow ard indiscriminate destruction ol cities = to virtually wipe them oil the fact of the earth. This was dcne for several reasons; mainly because the Army wished to sell to Americans the idea that Japan paramount network of industrial ac- tivity was being conducted in pii- vate homes. Unless these sources of production were destroyed Japanese industry could not be rendered im- mobile. The revengeful motive was also present. said the Major.
 Inocndiary Bombing
 Strategic bombing of industrial ana military targets were secondary. ln- cendiary bombs were used in the cities because it was this type of missile that caused ttc most havoc with the pre-war type of Japanese homes. Demolition Lonlbs were directed toward industrial plants when they were bombed. which was rot too often. At the close of the war survey of industrial damage in Japan showed that only 20 to 35 percent of the large industrial concentrations had been touch2d, while scores of cities had been com pletely reduced to rubble and ashes. In cities that had been wiped out, the railway terminals and immed- fate areas around railway accom- mcdations were intact. Malor Schmidt said the Army Air Force was to be highly commended for the skillful job done in following orders not to bomb transportation arteries.
 Buildings Gutted
 In Yokohama the residential sections had been drastically bomb ed while on the left side of the city. the industrial section was un- touched in many instances. The city of Tokyo was in similar con dition. In these larger cities thS buildings and homes were more modern than in outlying cities ant villages. As result they were no completely demolished. Most O the concrete structures were nerel, gutted on the interior by incen- diary bombs.
 The Japanese peoples reaction tc all this is rather a curious mix ture. When the Army first moved into Japan it found the people ex- ercising traditional diligence in salvaging every brick, every string wire, bit of roofing, etc. that could possibly be used in re- building their cities. These sal vaged bits would be tied neatly ol stacked in measured piled along the streets of demolished cities Tiny gardens, similar to American victory gardens, sprang up amonl theashes and rubble some o them were no larger than five fee square.
 Relief At War End
 After the far the first reaction among the great masses of Japanes people was that of immense relief They were glad that the thinI was over" said Major Schmidt
 They had worked 10, 12, IA an 16 hours a day. experienced i'm proper housing ana clothing 10 three or four years. They were wori out
 Tte next reaction was apathy. Tn, majority of the people no longe cared about the next days happen ings. Japans equalization came a q great blow to most of them. Onl, those who had travelled realize, what was happening. The averag man in the street was in complet ignorance of anything except tn propaganda of great Japanese vic tories" that the Military had con sistently fed out since the frs of the war.
 National Pride Hurt
 The Japanese national pride coul neither accept nor understand dc feat T was as though a ma' psycosis suddenly descended on u people, the speaker declared Tn lasted through the first thr, cf McSpadden relieved Hennir months Of the occupation.
 The Japanese peoples tradition fatalism seemed seriously impaire Always before in man-made or nj tural disaster they had been ah to shrug off diversity with age-o resignation and pitch in to sta anew Now they showed no inte est in working even when they We actually starving.
 They had heard of the brutaliti attributed by their propagand agents to the Americans. They e rscted horrible things to happen their women and children. Maj