Joseph Newman (journalist)

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Joseph Newman was an American journalist and writer from New York. He worked for the New York Herald Tribune under George Cornish as Japan correspondent, living in Japan with Mary, his wife.

During his period of residence in Japan, he made contacts with other foreign residents, journalists and some important personalities linked with the Japanese government and became known for his in-depth reporting on the local military-political establishment prior to the eruption of the Pacific War.

He was acquainted with members of the German and Italian community, as well as certain natives with connections in the Japanese Army and Navy ministries. From these sources he was able to file reports with the American media, later writing the book Goodbye Japan, where he related his experiences there, and to prevent American public opinion from learning the real intentions of the Japanese regime, in the pre-war 1941 period.

This writer for your knowledge about regime no believing in the courteous and amable words and agreeable speeches why these government realizing overseas for media of your spokesmens ,"Radio Tokyo" or the information provided for "Domei Tsushin" official press agency, he known why this "agreeable words" covertly the real intentions of Tokyo regime and political faction in power ("Kodoha" Party) was previosly announced in more times:

• The total defeat of major powers in area: United States, Great Britain, France, Dutch Indies and Soviet Union
• Obtain the total dominion in West Pacific area
• The creation of an Asian political and economic bloc
• The extension of Japanese lifestyle, thinking and culture in conquest territories
• The expansion of Empire frontiers beyond present territories, including a possible future fight with their Axis Powers companions if necessary for total world dominion

Same writer opined why, if American people, was understand the Japanese political-military movements from the Meiji period to previous days at December 1941, this can prevent the "Pearl Harbor" disaster and the eruption of "Pacific War". Additionally seeing why some western persons said why "Japan was a victims from German Nazi movements", he at contrary for your observations in land mentioned why previous at September 1939, same proper Japan realizing your aggressive conquest moves in Asian mainland more times before at German actions in Poland.

When American State Department ordered to at all American residents the leaving from Japanese territory debt at hostile environment living by foreigners in area and advised the surging of some "Xenophobia" against western persons, promoted by Nationalists groupings, he petitioned at your chief one absence permit from your correspondence works in Tokyo, for prevent the arrest and internment in local prisons during last peace days. He suspect the constantly watching in your telephone callings for part of Tokko police service.

Later George Cornish your chief sended such permit, this writer leaving from Tokyo to Yokohama for aboard the "Tatsuta Maru" (one of three "N.Y.K." vessels provided by the Japanese government for evacuate the Americans before at rupture of hostilities). In last days the Keisicho police authorities was maintain near watching at he for your local contacts, inclusive cuasy submitted at arrests for no permit your leaving of nation for some details in your documents.

He, thanks at your friends of Foreing Affairs Ministry, Informantion Department and Domei Tsushin Agency, between your declaration this writer sayed why "only leaving of japan for taken some short vacations in Hawaii for return in "Taiyō Maru" (another N.Y.K. vessel for recover foreingners) for continuing your work in country", with some difficulties finally receiving your respective autorization for leaving of country.

Later this writer arriving to Honolulu, for take one month of vacation in same city, known at Mr.Kita the Japanese Consul-General in area, and same servant comment about information over diplomatic mission of Saburo Kurusu in Washington. During your times in Honolulu, he was surprised for the easy access to "Pearl Harbor" installations, were any persons was take photos and seeing all movements. He making some interviews at Naval officers if believing the danger of conflict, theirs opined why are possibly, but no envisioned any strike at mentioned base.

This writer observed why at contrary in Japan was impossibly this, the access to any naval or Army bases was banned for any common people or foreingner; for example when Japanese Army cominzed the trasladed troops from Kobe, if arriving any foreigners from China in Japanese vessels, not permit to arriving at such port, if theirs was conducted little boats in any distant point or Nagasaki, Japanese Navy occult the movements of your transports with great fabric pieces bundle at bamboo poles fixed in soil.

Later, in December 5, at 12:30 pm, Joseph Newman and your wife aboard the luxury vessel "Lurline" for return to New York. At 10:00 am of December 7, the captain announced "The Japanese having bombed Pearl Harbor." The meeting with passengers for advised the prevent measures for any case of Japanese air or submarine Japanese strikes.

When seeing the "Golden Gate Bridge" lights all passengers and crew members was sense relief, but listen the sirens and seeing the Blackout in San Francisco area from vessel. The Bay area was mined and the vessel was guided by tugboat for secure sector of port. The writer comment why proper Captain was feared for why theirs receiving one "S.O.S." from Merchant vessel "Cynthia Olsen" petitioned aid, this was torpedoed by Japanese submarine at 100 miles nearest of your vessel.

[edit] See also

• Goodbye Japan written by Joseph Newman