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Post by pdh54 on Aug 10, 2013 1:22:23 GMT 8
A post today on 'The Battle of Bataan' Facebook page by John Lukacs from his 'Escape from Davao' Facebook page "Sixty-eight years ago this week, an interesting exchange of correspondence took place involving President Harry S. Truman, who became enraged by the Davao escape story while a senator. It's refreshing to see such candor from a real national leader in this pre-politically correct era, and this letter provides verifiable proof that Japan's horrific treatment of American POWs factored heavily in Truman's decision to employ the atomic bombs to force an end to World War II."
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Post by Registrar on Aug 10, 2013 11:27:41 GMT 8
No wonder he's often referred to as "Give 'em hell, Harry".
I lament the passing of plain speaking.
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Post by pdh54 on Aug 11, 2013 10:45:00 GMT 8
I decided to look up Mr Samuel McCrea Cavert on google. I found a copy of the cable he sent to President Truman. Cable on use of the Bomb on Japan From: Samuel McCrea Cavert, General Secretary of Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America To: Harry S Truman, President of the United States of America Date: August 9, 1945 Honorable Harry S Truman, President of the United States The White House
Many Christians deeply disturbed over use of atomic bombs against Japanese cities because of their necessarily indiscriminate destructive efforts and because their use sets extremely dangerous precedent for future of mankind. Bishop Oxnam, President of the Council, and John Foster Dules, Chairman of its Commission on a just and durable peace are preparing statement for probable release tomorrow urging that atomic bombs be regarded as trust for humanity and that Japanese nation be given genuine opportunity and time to verify facts about new bomb and to accept surrender terms. Respectfully urge that ample opportunity be given Japan to reconsider ultimatum before any further devastation by atomic bomb is visited upon her people.
FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA
SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT GENERAL SECRETARY.
Here is a link to the page: www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/correspondence/cavert-samuel/corr_cavert_1945-08-09.htm
Patty
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