The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 2

SATURDAY, YOIZUKI: CRUELTY AND General MacArthur has thrown back into the teeth of Australian Service authorities and the Government the allegation that he and his officers at Tokyo were responsible for the infamous conditions under which' 200 Formosan women and children were herded, with 800 male internees and prisoners, of war, into the former Japanese destroyer Yoizuki. The General' sensational radio message is more than a repudiation of G.H.Q. responsibility. It is by implication an indictment of the inhumanity which caused the Yoizuki to tail from Sydney in circumstances revolting to the mind and heart of every decent Australian. Deaf to nation-wide picas and remonstrances, the Government would not even order the vessel to put into Brisbane, so that conditions on board might be further investigated.

On hearing though in less detail and at far greater distance the same reports as were available to Ministers, General MacArthur "immediately requested" the Australian naval and military authorities to debark all women and children, with the males of their families, at the nearest pott, and arranged for a hospital ship to carry them on the rest of their journey. Thus, through General MacArthur's humane intervention, the primary need to relieve the misery of the Yoizuki's most hapless passengers can be-satisfied. Incidentally, they must not be taken to Rabaul or any other island port, but returned to Australia, where they can be properly cared for. But speedy reparation of the injury wrought to these victims of official callousness arid blundering can touch only the fringe of a grave national scandal. The authors of the Yoizuki outrage must be sought out and punished.

The Government itself faces a crisis of the first magnitude. It is charitable to assume at this juncture that it has been grossly misled by senior officers of the Services. But even if this be the case, it has been guilty of most culpable negligence, involving the fitness of the Ministers concerned to continue in office, in not checking the Service reports or otherwise satisfying itself beyond question that the Yoizuki was not the hell-ship which an abundance of unofficial testimony, as well as that of officers charged with the actual embarkation, had shown her to be. There is first the question of Service responsibility. Throughout this shameful business it has been maintained in Australia that nothing could be done to prevent or remedy the horrors of the Yoizuki embarkation because she was under G.H.Q.

control. This. General MacArthur flatly denies. "Loading responsibilities and authorities," he declares, "rest entirely in the hands of the local commanders." Of course they do and must. And of course the Australian Government has sovereign power in its own ports and waters; no instructions from abroad, even were they given, could absolve Ministers from the duty to see that the ordinary requirements of humanity, decency, and safety were complied with.

But General MacArthur says he gave no instructions to load over 1.000 people on the Yoizuki. On the contrary, G.H.Q. authorised the transportation of no more than 948 passengers. "A subsequent request by Australian authorities, that this be increased to permit the embarkation at Port Moresby of 250 more, was rejected." Who, despite this rejection, ordered that 150 persons above the authorised limit be crammed on to the Yoizuki at Sydney? Who arranged, and in the last hours commanded, that 200 women and children, of whose projected movement General MacArthur says he knew nothing, be literally driven on to the ship "without suitable accommodation or facilities for segregation from male passengers?" These are questions to which an incensed public, stirred as seldom before by the atrocious affair of the Yoizuki, will demand specific answers. The blame for blundering, apparent deception, and downright cruelty must be sheeted home.

No officer, however highly placed, can be shielded from publicity and disciplinary consequences. In particular the public wants to know who ordered the embarkation to proceed even after Army officers on the wharf had suspended the proceedings because of their glaring inhumanity. That protest alone should have warned Ministers at Canberra that something was seriously amiss. But they remained inert. They let the Yoizuki go with her pitiful human cargo, and they callously declined to recall or divert her.

Mr. Makin, with unctuous hypocrisy, accused the Press of "trying to spread alarm" because it performed its plain duty to expose the outrage. The Press tried, unsuccessfully, to arouse a Government which proved strangely indifferent to the call of humanity, echoed and re-echoed by the general public. Ministers were content to take refuge in the abject plea patently untenable that the Allied Supreme Commander was alone responsible. His answer is before the nation.

Apart from explaining its own dereliction of duty, the Government will need to find a convincing defence to the implied charge that official standards of humanity in Australia are considerably lower than those of G.H.Q. BREACH OF FAITH OVER PERSIA Russia has violated her treaty engagement to withdraw all troops from Fenian soil by last Saturday, six months after the ending of the Japanese war. The remaining American forces i .1 Ijtli MARCH .9, 1946 were recalled in December. "The last of the British followed them at the end of February. But the Russians have seen fit to postpone their departure from the northern province of Azerbaijan "until the position is elucidated" meaning at least until an agreement satisfactory to Moscow hat been reached with the Teheran Government, mainly over oil concessions.

Beyond the phrase quoted Russia has not troubled even to explain or defend her default, either to Persia, or to her British and American allies, who were associated with her in solemn promises to respect Persian sovereignty and integrity after the conclusion of the war a war fought, among other purposes, to establish the principle of the sanctity of treaties. The plain fact appears to be that the Soviet has unfinished business Persia, pledges or no pledges, protest or no protests, does not propose to get out until it is discharged. Britain and the United States have both sent Notes to Moscow during the past week. The text of the British Note has not been published, but it is understood to have been couched in terms of inquiry and of reference to the conditions of the '1942 Tripartite Treaty. That from Washington is more direct.

It states frankly that the Soviet Government's decision to retain troops in Iran beyond the treaty period "has created a situation regarding which the United as a member of the United Nations and a party to the Teheran Declaration of December 1. 1943, cannot- remain indifferent." Russia is exhorted to do her part towards the promotion of international confidence by ordering the immediate withdrawal of her forces, is reminded of the heavy resting on the Great Ppwers under the Charter to respect the sovereign rights of other nations, and requested to inform Washington promptly of her decision. For all the studied courtesy of its language, the Note conveys unmistakably the stiffening attitude of the United States in face of the lengthening list of Soviet actions which cannot but arouse anxiety as to Russia's motives and objectives. The obligations undertaken by Moscow in this case were precise and formal. When in August, 1941, Russia and Great Britain announced their intention of sending military forces into Persia, then becoming a hot-bed of German intrigue, the Soviet Government emphasised that it was "guided by respect for the sovereignty of Persia" and undertook to withdraw its troops immediately the German danger was averted.

Early in 1942 the three nations signed a treaty of alliance entitling Britain and Russia to maintain troops, which were not to constitute a military occupation, "and will disturb as little as possible the normal life of the country and the application of Persian laws." The Allied forces were to be withdrawn not later than six months after the end of hostilities. Subsequently at the Teheran Conference America associated herself with these arrangements, and a joint declaration of the "Big Three," made in December, 1943, laid down that they were "at one with the Government of Persia in their desire for the maintenance of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Persia." Now time has arrived to carry out these solemn undertakings, but the Russians, who have shown no sign of withdrawing from Azerbaijan, take refuge behind the "iron curtain" which they have let down between the province and southern Persia. The south has been alive with tales of what is happening behind the veil of secrecy; Russia is accused of controlling the police and the entire administration to Suit her own ends, of developing communications to the northward, and of making a powerful and obedient tool of the Tudeh Party. Since outside observers have all along been rigorously excluded, the world has, no means of judging how much exaggeration there may be in all this, nor how far Russian actions may be the result of local conditions. There is no greater obstacle to a friendly settlement than this policy of secrecy, and so long as it is maintained Russia cannot legitimately complain if the worst interpretation is put on her actions.

FOOD FOR BRITAIN To ths Editor of tha "Herald." Sir, May I suggest a single practical scheme which would enable Australian families with no direct contacts to take an active and personal interest ip the supply of food to Britain? The British Admiralty should be asked to invite all British naval personnel serving in Australian waters who would like parcels sent home, to hand addresses to an appointed officer whatever ship they are stationed. These addresses could then be forwarded to the British Centre, Country Women's Association, Legacy, or any organisation which would be prepared to handle them. Australian families willing to send an occasional parcel could be invited to send it in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to whatever organisation takes Up the scheme. An address would be slipped into each envelope, and would be posted back to the sender. 1 appreciate that there would be rather a bulk of mail to he handled, but half a dozen or a dozen lively volunteers would make short work of it, and 1 am sure that there are hundreds who would willingly undertake the task.

For myself. I would cheerfully devote two days a week to it. Rose Bay. JAMES H. MARTIN.

Sir, To help the Food for Britain funds, I suggest that the many churches throughout the State take up "retiring" collections, that is, a' collection at the door as the. congregation disperses. An announcement for two or three services before the collection is desirable. Turramurra. L.

WOOD. News Item: Mr. Makin said that the standards of some other peoples were not nearly tu high those which Australians regarded satisfactory. Fibrous Need In BY OUR HOUSING CORRESPONDENT The third article of a aeries analysing the construction outlook An important brake on house construction is shortage of fibrosis plaster, the major cause of which has been delay by the authorities in realising that a key housing component is now more important than rope for the Nary. A LL through the war, and to-day, Australia has had an intake of 8,000 tons of first-grade white sisal annually.

Since 1942 the fibrous plaster makers have not received one ounce of it. The fault does not lie entirely on the shoulders of the Australian authorities, for sisal is still subject to international control. Rut the extraordinary story of the lag in fibrous plasler production doe suggest that, if some of our Ministers were as willing to make an international incident of a housing issue as they were of the departure of girls to Manila, one hurdle to full-scale house production would have been knocked down by now. FibrMis plaster sheets are made of plaster (which in turn is milled from gypsum), and are reinforced by generous quantities of fibre. A plentiful supply is necessary if ceilings are to he quickly provided for brick and both ceilings and internal linings for timber-frame houses.

It is made in big sheets, can be joined without visible mark, and is a "must" in all our current bousing programmes. There are alternatives, but thev are either dearer, in the developmental stage, or even scarcer than fibrous plaster. If there were a good supply of fibrous plaster or other lining material, the brick shortage could he sidetracked to some extent by large-Kale construction of brick-veneer houses an outer wall of brick, timber studs, and a lining material in place of the inner wall. Talk And Reality So it is plain that any realistic talk of 24.000. 32.000, 50.000.

and 80.000 houses a year would have been based on a positive programme to step up production of materials like fibrous plaster. But in 1945 only 670,800 square yards of this product emerged from Sydney metropolitan plants, compared with 2,671,076 square yards in 19J8-39. Detailed examination of the industry's troubles will help to illustrate just how far divorced from the reality of materials reduction is all the talk of enormous oiiting "targets." In 1942 Australian fibrous plaster makers handed over to the Government 600 ions of A grade Indian and Javanese sisal fibre at 42 a ton. The 'stuff was needed for rope and cordage for the forces, and the fibrous plaster makers did not kick. They carried on a reduced production by unravelling and teasing old rope.

When housing started to come back into the picture the manufacturers began to ask, and then to clamour, for sisal. Net result has been a promise to supply 200 tons of low-grade sisal, which is now dribbling out in small lots. Of the 200 tons, New South Wales is to receive 64 tons. That is far short of requirements. Manufacturers say that even with their restricted labour force they could produce about 2,000.009 square yards this year, against an estimated total for the year of 1,350,000 square yards.

They say that failure to deliver first-grade sisal from the large stocks held in Australia is robbing the housing programme of 650,000 square yards of fibrous plaster this year. Serious Implications The 200 tons now dribbling nut is second-grade South African sisal. Because it has been acid cured, it tends to "kill" the plaster and produce a weakened sheet. There are serious implications in housing costs in the fact that the second-grade product is being released at over 75 a ton. whereas first-grade sisal was surrendered in 1942 at 42 a ton.

Sisal is controlled by one of the inter-Allied mctcrials boards set up during the war, and this body has refused to make sisal available for Australian housing. There is an odd reason for this. Fibrous plaster was invented and developed in Australia, and during the war both British and American officers interested in building were astonished to "discover" this revolutionary material for houses. They took samples home to both countries. Thus, while fibrous plaster has been widely used in Australian building for 50 VICE-REGAL The Governor-General yesterday received the Right Hon.

Lord Winster. united ktngdom Minister for Civil Aviation, at Government House, Canberra. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have arrived at Dalkeith. Cassilis. where thsy are the guests of Sir Frederick and Lady MclUiter.

LESSONS WELL LEARNT 7T4fti at itC yf lrefp. Plaster Is A Key Housing years, the International Sisal Board is quite unable to comprehend why Australia should need fibre for fibrous piaster. It has never beard of the stuff. Senator Keane. now abroad.

'has' been briefed to put Australia's case to the supply authorities, hut this should have been done with the utmost vigour two years ago. If Federal Cabinet had realised the connection between sisal and their housing programmes, one would have imagined that the full force of Or. Evan's personality would have been turned on the Sisal Board during his- various oversea missions of the last few years. If fibrous plaster manufacturers are not helped to boost current output, they will produce this year only enough fibrous plaster for 2,000 brick houses and 2.000 timber-frame houses. As alternatives are not in mass supply, it seems cruelly clear that talk of 50,000 and 80,000 "targets" are so much idle An 80,000 programme for Australia Anniversary Of Great Feat Of Arms By IAN BEY AN, Oar Staff Correspondent In Europe.

Beam Wlreles. CO much has happened in the past twelve months that it is hard to recapture the tremendous excitement caused a year ago by the deeds of a small group of American soldiers at the little Rhine Valley town of Remagen. But the name, which will remain as one of the half-dozen most significant place names of the European war, brings back memories of a story involving fantastic risks, demanding great courage, and producing still greater rewards. Seizure of the Ludendorff railway bridge at Remagen, the only Rhine bridge seized intact, altered the military situation of the western front overnight, and refreshed a vr 4bw I v't nt i ft a wt 1 IHtr let tnie i' 0 The weary Allied world with a wave of optimism. It was early in the afternoon of March 7.

1945, when Colonel Leonard Engeman, leading a task force of armoured troops from the First Army's Ninth Armoured Division, reached a nigh hill overlooking Ihe Rhine at Remagen, and saw through his binoculars that German vehicles were still fleeing eastwards over the Ludendorff Bridge. 1 He ordered a platoon of new Pershing 90mm tanks, commanded by Lieutenant John GrimbaU, down the winding road into Remagen. While this force was fighting its way through, information was obtained from a prisoner taken by other forces at the nearby village of Sinzig that tha bridge was scheduled to be blown at 4 p.m The news was flashed back to headauar- ters, and then sent to Colonel Engeman, who received it at 3.15. At once he radio-telephoned to Lieutenant GrimbaU: "Get to the bridge as quickly as possible." means at least 15,000 houses in the Sydney metropolitan area, on past ratios. Materials for even half that number are not in sight.

The industrv has only 222 skilled men. compared with 650 in 1938-39. and the need for a full-scale training programme has been urged on the post-war reconstruction authorities for two years. So far the industry has received about 12 partly-trained men, 36 are in training at the Technical College, and another 36 await vacancies at the college, Coal has been a black cloud over this like most others that must draw raw material over long distances. Pre-war, the gypsum for plaster was drawn from South Australia, and milled in Melbourne.

It is now milled in Sydney from New South Wales gypsum, but the chronic shortage of railway trucks, due to coal scarcity, kept the industry marking-time at intervals through 1945. awaiting plaster. Some plants had to close from time to time. The industrial stoppages of December led to a serious fall in fibrous plaster output in January. The plants reopened on January 7, but plaster dribbled nut to them in small parcels for some weeks.

The plaster millers say they have at last broken the hack of their problem, and that in the future plaster will he available in quantity, provided there are no more disastrous transport blockages. So, if building more houses means more fibrous plaster and it does the first requirement is release of ample first grade sisal. Second requirement is more ginwr in ths programme to train skilled men. near the bridge. When a supporting company from the 27th Armoured Infantry Battalion raced up to the west end of the bridge, the time was 10 minutes to 4 10 minutes before the hour for touching off the explosives.

But the Germans, in the face of the on-rushing troops, frantically began to destroy the bridge before the scheduled time. They set off two charges. One blew a crater in the western approaches. The second, which was touched on just as toe infantry men were starung across, knocked out destroyed a section of the bridge flooring and left a six-inch sag at the damaged pier point. The cap went off on a 5001b TNT charae set up with time fuses near the north railing, about two-thirds of the way across, but the charge fortunately failed to explode.

Three members of the Ninth Armoured iv fM r( I'VsV -tyt r. a at Remagen Engineer Battalion hurried on to the bridge to prevent the Germans, if possible, from finishing their work of destruction. They were Lieutenant Hugh Molt, S.Sgt. John Reynolds, and Sgt. Eugene Doriand.

They rapidly cut all the wires connected to 401b charges below the bridge deck; then they pea across tne onage to cut the main cable, The cable would not yield to the small pair of pliers carried by Doriand, so he fired three shots into it from his ear-bine, smashing the mam electrical hook-up. After the crossing came the battle of Flak HiU. Immediately behind the eastern end of ths bridge rose a sharp, rocky feature which gave the Germans a perfect defence position. The Americans clung to roots on the cliftsidc while ths Germans shot down at them. The enemy troops tried to dislodge them by rolling rocks down.

A German flak waaeon in the rear opened up on them with four 20mm guns. More than one man felt to his death on the rocky ledges below. But the Allies were across to the eastern bank. SCANDAL OF YOIZUKI STIRS PUBLIC A Selection of Letter to the Editor of the "Herald." FORMER PRISONER'S CONDEMNATION Misery And Disease Sir, Among the multitude of voices raised to condemn the conditions aboard the Yoizuki, perhaps I may be permitted to speak as an ex-prisoner of war. I have travelled many days and nights crammed into steel railway trucks, in tropi-, cal heat, and with insufficient food and water, and if 1 was spared the misery of a sea trip under similar conditions, 1 lived long enough with those who experienced this to know just what the passengers in the Yoizuki are suffering at this moment.

There is the same three-foot-high shelf without ventilation or light, there will be the same combination of acute dysentery and seasickness, the long queues for the few latrines, the buckets of food prepared on deck and passed from hand to hand through the crowded holds, the same stink of unwashed bodies. Many will not leave their places below for the duration of the voyage. In this manner our men travelled from Java to Rangoon, Singapore, and Japan. We told one another that, after all, the Japanese were only a few generations removed from medieval barbarism, that thev were a race of savages unworthy of a place in a civilised world. However, it seems that our civilisation is a fairly light veneer, and there are those among us who know no better than our late captors "they know not what they do." Within seven days mere win oc jccii hundred cases of dysentery; the air-borne infections will flourish.

This is a certainty, not surmise. We who have been through know the certain results ot overcrowding and lack of sanitation. Diphtheria usually broke out, with deaths, whenever we were too congested. What medical supplies went with the ship? No doctor was on board to administer them. If any one douhts what our lack of conscience means in terms of suffering, let him ask a P.O.W.

who has travelled under sucn conamun. P. T. MILLARD. Thailand).

BARBARIC ATROCITY Sir, Public expression of thanks is due to the "Herald" for the publicity it has accorded the disgraceful forcing of Formosanj aboard the Japanese des-, troyer. It is difficult to believe that people of a nation which has fought so hard on the side of Christian ways and beliefs could participate in such barbaric activity. Realisation that this has been the case should fill us with shame and indignation. If we have endured six years of war only to learn these tactics of our enemy, much has been sacrificed in vain. Obviously, the much-vaunted civilisation ot the West is hut a thin veneer beneath which lies the same degree of barbarism we are so fond of attributing solely to the Eastern Press, as a body, have fulfilled their true function in exposing the conditions attendant upon the loading of peaceful Chinese women and children aboard the Yoizuki.

Surely the Government cannot maintain its present spineless attitude! PAT CHIENE-GRAYSON. Strathfield. Sir, We support your action for the recall of the Yoizuki and demand the return of the ship; disembarkation of the women and children; dismissal of officials concerned; and the resignation of both Mr. Chifley and Mr. Forde for refusing to recall the ship.

PAUL CARMICHAEL. M. SAGE. C. J.

SARCHF1ELD. G. SAGE. M. A.

SAUNDERS. S. STONE. N. CALLAGHAN.

P. MONLESS. R. F. BROWNE.

M. M. JONES. E. ALEXANDER.

S. WHELAN. C. RUSSELL. N.

FITTON. Management and Employees ot Sydney. Moderne Knitwear Co. Sir, Sydney's Big Sisters wish to add their protest in conjunction with thousands of other women all over New South Wales concerning the treatment and the herding together of the women and children sent from our shores in that dreadful ship. If all that has been reported be true, we hang our heads in shame and humiliation.

Where are the best things in life our sons and brothers fought for? We, the mothers and sisters, have sad hearts to know such things can happen here. MINNIE M. GATES. President, The Big Sister Movement Sydney. Sir.

It is with the utmost satisfaction that I read your condemnation of the Formosan hell-ship. It is very pleasing to find indignation so vigorously expressed. I hope you will ceaselessly demand a thorough investigation and see to it that the blame is not transferred to the American authorities without investigation. North Sydney. J.

T. RODD. MINISTER INDIGNANT Sir, As a Minister of the Gospel of Pity that knows no national boundaries, allow me to thank you for the healthy indignation of your words about the hell-ship, and the barbarities of "higher-up" Army and Parliamentary authorities. A capacity for flaming indignation is a sign of moral health. 1 trust the protests of our Church leaders will be adequate.

In the meantime, allow me to join in the insistent demand that the ship must be recalled, and at once, and the most rigid Inquiry made to discover who is responsible for this foulest action in Australian history. Strathfield. ALFRED GIFFORD. Sir, If 100 Formosan women and girls and 112 children, together with a number of men, were shipped on the Yoizuki, then it is already too late to prevent grave harm to the women and girls. No woman is fool enough to believe otherwise when a crew of 180 men and about 1,000 male P.O.W.

are aboard in such reported conditions. What of the officers in charge of embarkation? Surely, when unusual circumstances arise a person in charge is free to exercise his authority and common-sense. It would certainly not be possible for a man to underestimate the possible danger to these women. It matters little what their nationality be; the principles involved are those of mercy and decency which number high among those things for which our men have fought and died. Haberfleld.

MARY NICHOIX5. JAPANESE HELL-SHIP Sir, For three and a half years I was a prisoner of war in Japan, and, being a medical officer, had to fight for the modification of many principles of treatment meted out to our men. One of these occasions was alter my visit to a prison ship, the Singapore Mam which had arrived in Japan with some 1,000 British prisoners aboard. Most had been disembarked when 1 went inin the holds, and saw the indescribable fil.h and stomach-turning disorder of a several weeks' voyage, in which lay the dead and dying whom it was my job to care for. As a result of that voyage, more than 300 Britishers died, and 1 protested to the Japanese that "no white man would ever permit such conditions to exist for a single day, even for animals." The reply was a bland, "Exigencies of war." In Yokohama and on my return to Australia I denounced the Japanese responsible for that atrocity as war criminals in the hope that they would be found, tried, and punished.

Who are the peace criminals responsible for the atrocity of the Yoizuki? They are more guilty than the Japanese above, who, at least, had the excuse of war. I am more bitter than most against the Japanese after watching my men die of starvation, overwork, and maltreatment, hut I am indignant and ashamed to learn of the treatment given to returning Formosan prisoners and internees, their wives, and children, and to Japanese prisoners of war and internees. Are we while men or civilized? MEDICAL OFFICER. Sydney. Sir.

I feel I must write and thank you for the stand you are taking over the Japanese hell-ship. I live in a flat, right on the harbour, and when the Yoizuki passed crowded from end to end with those helpless creatures, little imagination was needed to picture the awful fate oF the women and children. I felt quite ill and a burning indignation. The ordinary citizen is helpless to alter these things, but your great paper can voice the opinion of thousands of decent Australians. MURIEL BILL1NGTON.

Kirribilti. Sir, By endorsing the action of the military authorities in loading the Yoizuki with civilian women and children under barbaric conditions, the Government now places responsibility for clearing Australia's good name fairly and squarely upon the electors. The opinion expressed by one or two military apologists that conditions aboard the hell-ship are no worse than would be normal under "Japanese standards" is merely an added affront to the Australian community. Since when have Australians been expected to regard "Japanese standards" with anything but the contempt which they deserve? The action of the military officers concerned comes close, in my opinion, to the provisions of the Army Act. section 18 (5), which provides penalties for "disgraceful conduct of a cruel kind." However, ihe Government has accepted full responsibility for the whole nauseating affair, and our national reputation for fair and honourable dealing can now be redeemed only by the electors.

Coogce. g. Mcdonald. POINTS FROM LETTERS At work, everyone, irrespective of creed or principle, unanimous in their expression of disgust concerning the "hell-ship." At home, our womenfolk actually physically sick at a recital of the horrors. Finally, the crowning shame, the cowardly imputation that the U.S.A.

was entirely responsible HARRY G1RSHAM. Woollahra. I have been a staunch Labour voter all my life, but never again will this overbearing blundering Government get another vote of mine. I sincerely hope, for the sake of our country and workers alike, many more will turn a deaf ear on the Labour Government's propaganda speeches at election time, and cast their vote elsewhere. S.

DORRENCE, Bal-gowlah. Because a mere hundred or more individuals were Asiatic and not white, their Jilight was not considered. Surely that not the justice which we as British fought for. I would like to think that there is an adequate explanation, hard as it seems at the present moment. However, culpable or not, the responsible body must be sought out, an explanation given, and retributive steps taken.

O. F. ROFE, Rose Bay. Strange that we, the Christian and "superior" race we, who prate so glibly of the five freedoms, and new order we, who shudder at the memory of the Black Hole of Calcutta, should set such a shining example of injustice and inhumanity. Who is responsible for this brutality, and caa nothing, even now, be done for these poor unfortunates? SERVICEMAN'S WIFE, Wahroonga.

In the name of humanity, the ship must be recalled while we yet have the power to undo some of this evU we have brought about. Wherever the responsibility for this outrage lies, in the minds of all. it will be associated, rightly or wrongly, wita Australia. In the name of every Christian ideal, the voice of the people must heard. H.

MURPHY, Balgowlah. But for the great public outcry nj would think that Australia had accepted the Japanese philosophy, instead of sacrificing so much in the fight for decent democracy. As your editorial pointea out, the military suthorities in charge ot embarkation might have been swayed by conscience to prevent so barbarous an action. I have not felt so sick at heart since I saw the Belsen camp film. TON HARDY, Sydney.

The law concerning the obedience nt orders from superiors has been defined by the Allied tribunal sitting at Nuremberg as being limited by the principles of humanity, so that, in this case, the orhcrrs on the wharf who were in charge of tne embarkation cannot be absolved from blame, and certainly not those why ged this atrocious order. A. Turramurra. The heads of the Governmen late that they have not the power to recall the snip. What a statement for the heads of a country to make! The people Australia will not readily forget this aHf ing and shameful happening.

J. COGHILU ChaUwood. Australians will be thankful paper for the manner in which the damn able action of the loading of the JT nese destroyer has been exposed. tnere is some hidden explanation let tt be ex plained; if not, then every decen cm en of this country should demand I thst unnamed "higher authority" 'hld named and never again ority in any matter HARRY 5AH GEANT, Balgowlah. irpNE Please keep up the HOWARD, Bondi.

If those in authority try to i behind the time-worn excuse thai the reports are inacenrate, at least the camera does not exaggerate. Hin L. NEIL, Summer tu..