THE NATIONS: The Height of Impertinence

So far as any discernible, immediate effect on Japan last week was concerned, the Potsdam offer of surrender terms (TIME, Aug. 6) was a flop. The Suzuki Cabinet had specifically rejected the terms. Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, the dry old man who was talking peace in Washington on Pearl Harbor day, called the terms "the height of impertinence." The controlled Japanese press and radio played them up as though they were good for home morale. An "extremely indignant" civilian letter-writer to a Japanese newspaper denounced the Potsdam declaration for "scheming to alienate the military and civilians." Said he: "The war's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!