The term "political leaders everywhere" is govspeak for "political leaders everywhere but here," because just 16 hours after the FIRST bomb was dropped, Harry Truman issued a press release promising even more destruction on the Japanese:
The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet.
We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan’s power to make war.
It was to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction that the ultimatum of July 26 was issued at Potsdam. Their leaders promptly rejected that ultimatum. If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth. Behind this air attack will follow sea and land forces in such numbers and power as they have not yet seen and with the fighting skill of which they are already well aware.
Does that sound like Truman, after seeing the "horrible devastation" wrought by the FIRST bomb, vowed to refrain from dropping the SECOND bomb?
Was Harry planning on dropping more nukes than the two that ultimately were?
No comments:
Post a Comment