Thursday, May 23, 2013

May 23, 1945; Japanese Leaving South China:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, MAY 23, 1945:


San Mateo Times

550 FORTS HIT TOKYO

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, WXDNBSDAT, MAY 23, IM

 

Truman Coming to

Final S. F. Meeting

 

UNCIO to End

Work Early in

June. Belief

SAN FRACISCO, May 23.

— (UP)— President Truman's decision to come here to address the closing plenary session of the United Nations security conference was regarded today as highlighting the growing importance of post-war problems in Europe— some connected directly with the conference, some not so connected.

The chief executive's decision was revealed in Washington by Secretary of State Edward R, Stettinius Jr., after a morning talk with Mr. Truman. Stettinius flew to the capitol last night to consult with the president and with state department aides. He is expected back here tomorrow or Friday.

Look for de Gaulle

French sources here said there was a possibility that Gen. Charles de Gaulle, president of the provisional government of France, might also attend the close of the conference.

They said de Gaulle had been invited to come to this country to confer with Mr, Truman. While it seemed likely that any Truman-de Gaulle talks would-be held in Washington, they said it was possible that the French leader might also

come to San Francisco.

June Date Seen

Stettinius told reporters on leaving the White House that he had reported to the president on progress of the conference toward its goal of drafting the charter for a

world organization, as well as other matters. He said he could not give any exact date when Mr. Truman would address the conference, "but I am confident that it will be early in June."

 

Okinawa Japs

Reel Backwards

Before Yanks

GUAM, Thursday, May 24.

—(U.P.)—More than 550 Superfortresses unleashed a great fire attack on- Tokyo today, dropping more than 700,000 incendiary bomb on the capital in the early morning darkness.

It was the greatest fleet of B-29s ever sent aloft in a single mission and it brought the sir war against the Japanese homeland to a new peak of intensity.

At least 4500 tons of incendiaries~ were dumped on Tokyo, starting about 3 a. m.

A Tokyo broadcast said the big sky raiders began coming over the Keihin (Tokyo-Yokohama) area at 2 a. m. (Japanese time.).

105 Minutes

Maj. Gen. Curtis LeMay’s air armada attacked Tokyo and its already blasted industrial environ* in a steady parade lasting 105 minutes.

The raid was centered on Shinagawa—the industrial heart of the city. The assault was comparable in tonnage of bombs to any ever hurled against Germany by B-17s and B-24s.

 

JAPS PREPARE

TO GET OUT OF

SOUTH CHINA

 

CHUNGKING, May 23.—(IP)—

Unconfirmed reports reaching Chungking today indicated the Japanese were preparing to abandon most of Southern and Southeastern China in favor of an Okinawa type defense in North China, Manchuria and Korea.

Reshapes Plans

Information reaching Chungking from what were described as most reliable sources raised the possibility Japan was reshaping her Strategy to prolong the war in an attempt to obtain a negotiated peace.

There were some indications the withdrawal process already has begun.

These included:

1. Japanese "military authorities ordered Japanese civilians to evacuate the coastal area south of Hangchow, important port city on Hangchow bay southwest of Shanghai.

Left Foochow

2. The Japanese withdrew their garrison from Foochow, enabling Chinese troops to re-enter the city and occupy surrounding areas near the Min river and along the coast of Fukien Province.

3. Japanese have begun a withdrawal eastward from Hochi in Kwangsi province. The Chinese took advantage of this withdrawal to re-enter Hochi and push on in the direction of Ishan.

There was speculation that during the next several months the Japanese may withdraw gradually from Kwangsi, Kwantung Kiangsi and Hunan provinces, as well As from the south and southeastern coastal areas and the -southern end

of the trans-China communications' corridor.

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