![TRUMAN, Harry S. Autograph letter signed ("H.S.T.") as President, to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, n.p., [ca. September 1945]. 1 page, 8vo (7 7/8 x 8 in.), in bold pencil, blue-lined paper, some even pale browning. Headed in another hand "Refer J[oint] C[hiefs of] S[taff] 89114x Following the President to JCSx."](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2002/NYR/2002_NYR_01032_0174_000(041917).jpg?w=1)
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TRUMAN, Harry S. Autograph letter signed ("H.S.T.") as President, to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, n.p., [ca. September 1945]. 1 page, 8vo (7 7/8 x 8 in.), in bold pencil, blue-lined paper, some even pale browning. Headed in another hand "Refer J[oint] C[hiefs of] S[taff] 89114x Following the President to JCSx."
TRUMAN AIRS HIS FRUSTRATIONS WITH JAPAN TO THE JOINT CHIEFS
A very unusual autograph memorandum from the President, evidently written very soon after the Japanese capitulation, regarding the military occupation of that nation. The letter was most likely written soon after the formal surrender of the Japanese was signed on 2 September 1945. "Explain to me why we should allow rehabilitation of roads, railroads and other facilities except air fields. We have expended lives, tons of bombs and a large amount of equipment to bring these people to terms. They have been able to give us a bad time even in the crippled condition of their communications and they have been able to operate effectively even without air fields."
By August 1945, American forces practically had eliminated every Japanese target of significance, but still Japan gave no indication of surrendering. Only two cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had not been largely destroyed. Truman's decision to drop the atomic bombs on these cities on 6 and 9 August crippled the Japanese and lead to surrender. While Truman supported the Marshall Plan to restore Europe, a broad rebuilding of Japan is here boldly rejected.
This letter comes from the papers of Lieutenant William Rigdon who joined the White House staff in 1942 and was FDR's secretary, as well as his mailman, mess officer, banker and companion. He was the assistant naval aide to FDR and Truman and was in charge of keeping the secret White House log.
Provenance: Lieut. William Rigdon--Kenneth W. Rendell, 1993.
TRUMAN AIRS HIS FRUSTRATIONS WITH JAPAN TO THE JOINT CHIEFS
A very unusual autograph memorandum from the President, evidently written very soon after the Japanese capitulation, regarding the military occupation of that nation. The letter was most likely written soon after the formal surrender of the Japanese was signed on 2 September 1945. "Explain to me why we should allow rehabilitation of roads, railroads and other facilities except air fields. We have expended lives, tons of bombs and a large amount of equipment to bring these people to terms. They have been able to give us a bad time even in the crippled condition of their communications and they have been able to operate effectively even without air fields."
By August 1945, American forces practically had eliminated every Japanese target of significance, but still Japan gave no indication of surrendering. Only two cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had not been largely destroyed. Truman's decision to drop the atomic bombs on these cities on 6 and 9 August crippled the Japanese and lead to surrender. While Truman supported the Marshall Plan to restore Europe, a broad rebuilding of Japan is here boldly rejected.
This letter comes from the papers of Lieutenant William Rigdon who joined the White House staff in 1942 and was FDR's secretary, as well as his mailman, mess officer, banker and companion. He was the assistant naval aide to FDR and Truman and was in charge of keeping the secret White House log.
Provenance: Lieut. William Rigdon--Kenneth W. Rendell, 1993.