Evening star., 1951-09-30
The ForrestuI Diaries
stoIn Proposed Trckne Jopon Into Surrender
and Later Giving Nation the Works
4. Endino the Poetic War


with Japan behind which there loomed the more
formidable problem of American relations with the Soviet
Union. President Truman dispatched Harry Hopkins
his last mission to Moscow, to obtain (as Mr.. Hopkins
told Mr. Forrestap evaluation of the
tude. Mr. Forresal not shown the reports but Mr.
McCloy (then Assistant Secretary of gave him
summary Stain, this showed, had been accom-
modating; the Soviet armies would be depoyed the
Manchuran frontier ION August g." Stain ter
rorial claims in China and would support Chang Kai-
shek as the only leader strong enough to unity the
country AS to terms to Japan Stain suggested in Mr..
Hopkins Interpretation, that perhaps we get
render without using the words unconditional surrender
but give them the works get to Japan"
Mr. Forrestal clearly satisfied that this was
the right answer The problem of peace terms
nestly discussed at StateWarNavy meetings through
June On the 18th. Mr. Forresta declared it the
most serious questions before the country"
later the subject came up again:
sTATE-wAR-NAvY MEETING
Surrender Terms (Acting Secretary of State Crews
proposal in which smson most vigorously agrees that
something be done in the future to indicate to the
japanese what kind of surrender terms would imposed
them and particularly indicate to them that they
would be allowed to retain their own form of government
and religious institutions while at the time making
clear that to eradicate completely all traces of
Japanese miltarism Both Stimson and Grew
phaticaly asserted that this ought be done
that if it effective at all it be before any
attack made upon the homeland of Japan :. =.
Meanwhile, the President, about to depart for the
PotSdam Conference had to face the military problem.
Two years afterward Mr.. Forrestal heard from Mr..
McCloy account of the White House meeting this
time at which the decision was taken to proceed with
the invasion" of the japanese home islands THE Pres
tary advisers and asked them tell him the
japanese mainland invasion necessary. They all
agreed He finally left it that they would proceed
with the planning for the invasion of Kyushu but that
they to raise the question with him again before its
execution and he would reserve decision whether
not the attack should be into the Tokyo plain"
Mr.. McCloy though his views had been asked spoke
up for political offensive first, including hint of the
atomic bomb and promise to preserve the Emperor;
"the military leaders," Mr. McCloy remembered were
somewhat annoyed at his interference but the President
welcomed the idea" Mr. Forrestals contemporary diary
26 June 1916.
=. The question of public statement to the Japanese
people outlining the terms of surrender discussed
Stimson read memorandum which he proposed send
the President 1t agreed by all present that such
statement should be made before the actual invasion the
noaelano oI Japan was pegun. suggestion was MADE
that Berlin he Potsdam Conference might be appro
pirate platform cat the bottom of this page diary
there stands pencled notation in unusually bold strokes
ok, HI
TALK WITH JOSEPH GREW RECALLED
July, 1945.
talked this evening after the Presidents band concert
to Joe Grew He expressed satisfaction that finally
whipped into shape the draft of the proposed message the
japanese by the President the aim of which
specific what we by the phrase unconditional
render He said however was afraid it would be dtched
way Ito the Potsdam Conerence) by people who
accompany the Presdent-Bohen among others-wo reflect
the view that cannot afford to hold out clarcaton of
terms to Japan which could be construed desire to get
the japanese war before Russia has opportunity
to enter.
(This last something of new note Up to that
time the anxiety had all been lest Russia should fail
enter leaving Admiral Leahy had put it, frozen to
the concept of unconditional surrender maintenance of
which might prove extremely costly to Now, however
intercepted between the Japanese Foreign
lister and his Ambassador in Moscow began bring
first real evidence that Japan verge of
render. The President had left for PotSdam July 26
Mr. ForeSta took off, unlimited for the conference no
doubt to urge his views surrender demands
But already they had largely prevailed peace terms
proclaimed the same day at Potsdam diScaimed any
intention to ensave" the Japanese; while the words
unconditional surrender" occurred only once
confined then the of the armed forces
The Emperor was not mentioned but the proclamation
left latitude enough for accepting the condon"-pres-
ervation of the Emperor-on which Japan fact
(See FORRESTAL Page A-3)