2 October 1945.
Memorandum To The Commander-In-Chief:
The attitude of the Japanese toward their Emperor is not
generally understood. Unlike Christians, the Japanese have no God with
whom to commune. Their Emperor is the living symbol of the race in whom
lies the virtues of their ancestors. He is the incarnation of national
spirit, incapable of wrong or misdeeds. Loyalty to him is absolute.
Although no one fears him, all hold their Emperor in reverential awe.
They would not touch him, look into his face, step on his shadow. Their
abject homage to him amounts to a self abnegation sustained by a
religious patriotism the depth of which is incomprehensible to
Westerners.
It would be a sacrilege to entertain
the idea that the Emperor is on a level with the people or any
governmental official. To try him as a war criminal would not only be
blasphemous but a denial of spiritual freedom.
The
Imperial War Rescript, 8 December 1941, was the inescapable
responsibility of the Emperor who, as the head of a then sovereign
state, possessed the legal right to issue it. From the highest and most
reliable sources, it can be established that the war did not stem from
the Emperor itself. He has personally said that he had no intention to
have the War Rescript used as Tojo used it.
It
is a fundamental American concept that the people of any nation have the
inherent right to choose their own government. Were the Japanese given
this opportunity, they would select the Emperor as the symbolic head of
the state. The masses are especially devoted to Hirohito. They feel that
his addressing the people personally make him unprecedentally (sic)
close to them. His rescript demanding peace filled them with joy. They
know he is no puppet now. They feel his retention is not a barrier to as
liberal a government as they are qualified to enjoy.
In
effecting our bloodless invasion, we requisitioned the services of the
Emperor. By his order seven million soldiers laid down their arms and
are being rapidly demobilized. Through his act hundreds of thousands of
American causalities were avoided and the war terminated far ahead of
schedule. Therefore having made good use of the Emperor, to try him for
war crimes, to the Japanese, would amount to a breath of faith.
Moreover, the Japanese feel that unconditional surrender as outlined in
the Potsdam Declaration meant preservation of the State structure, which
included the Emperor.
If the Emperor were tried
for war crime the governmental structure would collapse and a general
uprising would be inevitable. The people will uncomplainingly stand any
other humiliation. Although they are disarmed, they would be chaos and
bloodshed. It would necessitate a large expeditionary force with many
thousands of public officials. The period occupation would be prolonged
and we would have alienated the Japanese.
American
long range interests require friendly relations with the Orient based
on mutual respect, faith and understanding. In the long run it is of
paramount, national importance that Japan harbor no lasting resentment.
BONNER F. FELLERS,
Brigadier General, G.S.C.,
Military Secretary to the C-in-C.
2 October 1945.
Memorandum To The Commander-In-Chief:
The attitude of the Japanese toward their Emperor is not
generally understood. Unlike Christians, the Japanese have no God with
whom to commune. Their Emperor is the living symbol of the race in whom
lies the virtues of their ancestors. He is the incarnation of national
spirit, incapable of wrong or misdeeds. Loyalty to him is absolute.
Although no one fears him, all hold their Emperor in reverential awe.
They would not touch him, look into his face, step on his shadow. Their
abject homage to him amounts to a self abnegation sustained by a
religious patriotism the depth of which is incomprehensible to
Westerners.
It would be a sacrilege to entertain
the idea that the Emperor is on a level with the people or any
governmental official. To try him as a war criminal would not only be
blasphemous but a denial of spiritual freedom.
The
Imperial War Rescript, 8 December 1941, was the inescapable
responsibility of the Emperor who, as the head of a then sovereign
state, possessed the legal right to issue it. From the highest and most
reliable sources, it can be established that the war did not stem from
the Emperor itself. He has personally said that he had no intention to
have the War Rescript used as Tojo used it.
It
is a fundamental American concept that the people of any nation have the
inherent right to choose their own government. Were the Japanese given
this opportunity, they would select the Emperor as the symbolic head of
the state. The masses are especially devoted to Hirohito. They feel that
his addressing the people personally make him unprecedentally (sic)
close to them. His rescript demanding peace filled them with joy. They
know he is no puppet now. They feel his retention is not a barrier to as
liberal a government as they are qualified to enjoy.
In
effecting our bloodless invasion, we requisitioned the services of the
Emperor. By his order seven million soldiers laid down their arms and
are being rapidly demobilized. Through his act hundreds of thousands of
American causalities were avoided and the war terminated far ahead of
schedule. Therefore having made good use of the Emperor, to try him for
war crimes, to the Japanese, would amount to a breath of faith.
Moreover, the Japanese feel that unconditional surrender as outlined in
the Potsdam Declaration meant preservation of the State structure, which
included the Emperor.
If the Emperor were tried
for war crime the governmental structure would collapse and a general
uprising would be inevitable. The people will uncomplainingly stand any
other humiliation. Although they are disarmed, they would be chaos and
bloodshed. It would necessitate a large expeditionary force with many
thousands of public officials. The period occupation would be prolonged
and we would have alienated the Japanese.
American
long range interests require friendly relations with the Orient based
on mutual respect, faith and understanding. In the long run it is of
paramount, national importance that Japan harbor no lasting resentment.
BONNER F. FELLERS,
Brigadier General, G.S.C.,
Military Secretary to the C-in-C.