APPENDIX V

 

NOTICE TO ALLIED PRISONERS OF

WAR AND CIVILIAN INTERNEES

 

         The Japanese Government has accepted the Allied peace terms set forth in the Potsdam Declaration. Final negotiations are being concluded.

 

         An official representative is on his way for humanitarian purposes and liaison with this headquarters. He will be an initial, pre-Allied occupation representative in the interest of welfare needs and general conditions in the area or camp to which he is sent.

 

         He will co-ordinate with the Red Cross and Japanese military and Government, all plans to assure the security of the personnel concerned, to take emergency action to properly house, feed, clothe and furnish medical assistance to such personnel, and to assist in maintaining order in camps awaiting occupational forces.

 

         He will not have authority to act for the Allied Forces in the rendering of any decisions, military, civil or otherwise. Until such time as Allied occupational forces arrive to accept the surrender of Japanese military forces, those military forces are responsible for all such control and decisions in conformity with the terms of surrender and the dictates of the Supreme Allied Command.

 

(signed)

A.C. WEDEMEYER

Lieutenant-General, U.S.A.

Commanding.