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Inventory of the Alston Deas Collection, 1861-1976

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: Pamphlets, clippings, memoranda and related items collected by General Alston Deas relating to the American occupation of Japan (1945-1952) and World War II, specifically in Japan and the Pacific. Also includes United States government publications regarding the occupation, materials relating to former General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, and Japanese language materials.
Title: Alston Deas collection
Creator: Deas, Alston, 1893-1985
Date(s): 1861-1976  (bulk 1945-1950)  
Extent: 2.70 linear feet
(6 document boxes, 3 oversize folders)
Repository: Special Collections, College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
Phone: (843) 953-8016
Fax: (843) 953-6319
URL: http://archives.library.cofc.edu
Call Number: Mss 0013
Language of Material: Materials primarily in English. Some materials in Japanese.

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Biographical Note

Alston Deas was born in San Francisco, California, on November 5, 1893. A graduate of West Point (1918), Deas served in the U.S. Army for nearly 60 years, obtained the rank of colonel, and taught at West Point and the Citadel. Deas was president of the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings and the author of several books and articles on Charleston history.


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Collection Overview

Collection of printed materials about Japan and the United States activities in the Pacific during and after World War II. Includes information about Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. war effort, U.S. policies and agreements, propaganda, war strategies, the occupation of Japan, post-war politics and trade with Japan, Japanese culture and language, and related topics. Included are typescripts of American radio programs broadcast to Japan during the war. The majority of the books, booklets, reports, memoranda, and related items were published by or for the U.S. Army, Department of State, Department of Commerce, military intelligence, and other government agencies. The collection also contains a large number of magazines and clippings on related topics.

Collection Arrangement

This collection consists of printed materials, and is arranged chronologically by publication date.

1.  Pre-occupation, 1861, 1923, 1927, 1943
2.  American occupation of Japan, 1945-1952
3.  Post-occupation, 1953-1977
4.  Japanese maps, travel, and language materials, 1930, 1945-1952, undated


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Search Terms

The following terms have been used to index this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person, family, or organization, by topical subject, by place, and by types of material.

    Names

    • Deas, Alston, 1893-1985
    • MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964

    Subjects

    • World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean
    • World War, 1939-1945--Propaganda
    • World War, 1939-1945--Military intelligence
    • Japanese language
    • Soldiers

    Places

    • Japan--History--Allied occupation, 1945-1952
    • Japan--History--20th century
    • United States--History--20th century

    Types of Material

    • Clippings (information artifacts)
    • Monographs
    • Pamphlets
    • Reports

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    Related Resources

    Separated Material

    Published books originally with the collection have been removed and catalogued separately.


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    Detailed Description of the Collection

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    1. Pre-occupation, 1861, 1923, 1927, 1943  



    The Illustrated London News, 1861 October 12   box 1 | folder 1

    Includes illustrations relating to Japan.



    The National Geographic Magazine, 1923 October   box 1 | folder 2

    Includes feature, "The Empire of the Risen Sun."



    The New York Times Book Review, 1929 October 20   box 1 | folder 3

    Regarding two publications about the westernization of Japan.


    New York Times clippings, 1927-1935   Oversize Paper Folder 2
    (Flat storage)

    Relating to the new government order in Japan, "manifest destiny," the rule of Japanese Emperor Hirohito, and Western democracy in Asia.


    "Hidden Crosses," Life magazine, 1941 March 25   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Discusses Japanese religious persecution.



    Health Precautions for Far East (Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Netherlands East Indies) pamphlet, War Department, 1943   box 1 | folder 4

    2. American occupation of Japan, 1945-1952  

    Includes "restricted" and unrestricted publications and memorandums from United States governmental departments regarding troops in the Pacific, the structure of Japanese government, natural resource reports, newspaper and magazine clippings, and Japanese Peace Treaty materials. Also includes a large amount of material published for and by the Eighth Army Unit of the United States Army.

    1945


    "The First Three Days," Life magazine, 1945 March 5   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Regarding the Battle of Iwo Jima.



    "Joint Air-Ground Action" booklet, Ground Liason Officer School, 1945 July 15   box 1 | folder 5


    The Punch Below the Belt booklet, War Department, 1945 August 1   box 1 | folder 6

    "Japanese ruses, deception tactics, and antipersonnel measures."



    Broadcasts from Colonel Karl F. Baldwin to the people of Japan, 1945 May 28-May 31, 1945 August 12-August 13   box 1 | folder 7

    Typescript transcriptions.



    Nippon Times newspaper, 1945 August 31   box 1 | folder 8

    Mentions the beginning of Nuremburg trials, American occupation of Japan



    "Eighteen Words that Bagged Japan," The Saturday Evening Post clipping, 1945 November 17   box 1 | folder 9


    Moscow Meeting of Foreign Ministers pamphlet, 1945 December 16-25   box 1 | folder 10


    Japanese natural resources reports, 1945 November 14-December 31   box 1 | folder 11

    "Restricted" reports issued from the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers [General MacArthur] Natural Resources Section. Mentions Japanese coal mining industry, sources of phosphate, stockpiles of logs and lumber in Japan.



    Japanese Administration and Structure of Japanese Government pamphlet, Department of State, 1945   box 1 | folder 12


    Asia's Captive Colonies pamphlet, 1945   box 1 | folder 13

    Regarding the colonies of southeast Asia, including Singapore, British Malaya, Netherlands East Indies, French Indo-China, Phillipines, Thailand, and Burma.



    From the Volturno to the Winter Line (9 October-15 November 1943), War Department, 1945   box 1 | folder 14

    From the series American Forces in Action, designed for military personnel and wounded soliers to tell them the military story of campaigns in which they served.



    The Axis in Defeat: A Collection of Documents on American Policy Toward Germany and Japan pamphlet, Department of State, 1945   box 1 | folder 15


    "Chronology of World War II" clipping, publication unknown, 1939-1945   box 1 | folder 16


    The End of the War in the Pacific: Surrender Documents in Facsimile pamphlet, The National Archive of the United States, 1945   box 1 | folder 17


    Miscellaneous magazine clippings, 1945   box 1 | folder 18

    Mention Japanese statehood, post-WWII life in Tokyo.


    1946



    I & E Guide, Volume 1, Numbers 1-4, 6-7, 1946 January 23-March 6   box 2 | folder 1

    Weekly publication by Nagoya Base Information and Education Office for use in Information and Education classes. Includes summaries of Japanese history, Japanese bill of rights, current events, life after discharge, and related topics.



    Maptalk, Volume 5, Numbers 15-16, 1946 February 20-March 6   box 2 | folder 2

    Addresses the role of troops in the Pacific theater.



    "Administrative Order," Headquarters 8th Army, 1946 March 20   box 2 | folder 3


    Chronology of the Occupation pamphlet, U.S. Army Forces, 1945 August 15- 1946 March 31   box 2 | folder 4

    Life magazine, 1946 March 18-April 8   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Articles mention geisha life, Russian involvement in Manchurian industry, and Japanese theater.



    Japanese natural resources reports, 1946 January 20-May 24   box 2 | folder 5

    Mention the fishing industry of Hokkaido, wartime administration of the Japanese mineral industry, the Honkeiko Colliery coal mining disaster, and Japanese charcoal, firewood, salmon, lumber, timber, minerals, and bamboo industries in Japan.



    Memorandums, U.S. Army, Eighth Army Units, 1946 March 23-June 22   box 2 | folder 6

    Regarding American violence against Japanese, reparations, fraternization with Japanese women, announcement of Provost Court.



    "Toll Directory for Japan," 1946 June 24   box 2 | folder 7

    Compiled as a means to reach occupational force installations via Japanese commercial telephone systems.



    The United States Strategic Bombing Survey: The Effects of Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki booklet, 1946 June 30   box 2 | folder 8


    The United States Strategic Bombing Survey: Japan's Struggle to End the War booklet, 1946 July 1   box 2 | folder 9


    Clippings, 1946 May-November   box 2 | folder 10

    Mentions General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Chinese Communist influence in Asia, Japanese education and immigration, and a small number of other topics.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1946   box 6 | folder 1

    Primarily from Japanese newspaper Nippon Times. Topics include teacher's unions, agriculture, G.I. murder charges, classified ads, job market outlook, Japanese food scarcity, General MacArthur, and a small number of other topics.



    Trial of Japanese War Criminals booklet, 1946   box 2 | folder 11


    Tachikawa AFB information guide, [1946?]   box 2 | folder 12

    1947



    Employment of United States Citizens in the Far East report, 1947 July   box 3 | folder 1


    United States Department of Commerce memorandums, 1947 August 21-September 5   box 3 | folder 2

    Regarding preparations and arrangements for Japanese businessmen.



    United States Department of Commerce, import, export, and trade reports, 1947 June 26-December 8   box 3 | folder 3


    Magazine clippings, 1947 May 5-December 22   box 3 | folder 4

    Include critical analysis of American occupation policies in Japan, mention Japanese Prime Minister Tetsu Katayama.



    Treaty of General Relations Between the United States of America and the Phillipines and Protocol pamphlet, 1947   box 3 | folder 5


    Korea's Independence pamphlet, 1947   box 3 | folder 6


    The Constitution of Japan pamphlet, 1947   box 3 | folder 7


    American policy in occupied areas pamphlet, Department of State, 1947   box 3 | folder 8


    Two Aspects of Trusteeship pamphlet, Department of State, 1947   box 3 | folder 9

    Regarding United States trusteeship for territory of Pacific Islands.



    Cartels and Combines in the Occupied Areas booklet, Department of State, 1947   box 3 | folder 10

    Regarding American policy concerning German monopolies, dissolution of Japan's feudal colonies.



    Activities of the Far Eastern Commission, Department of State, 1947   box 3 | folder 11

    Saturday Evening Post clippings, 1947   Oversize Paper Folder 3
    (Flat storage)

    Includes articles regarding the unionization of Japanese teachers, Japanese war veteran activities, Japanese whalers, and the construction of a Russian military base in Japan.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1947   box 6 | folder 2

    Includes clippings from News and Courier, New York Times, Newsweek, the Times-Herald, and several others. Topics include General MacArthur, foreign relations with Japan and Russia, the American occupation in Japan, the 1948 presidential campaign, and a small number of other topics.


    1948


    "As Japanese See Themselves," Saturday Evening Post newspaper, 1948 March 20   Oversize Paper Folder 3
    (Flat storage)


    United States Department of Commerce, import, export, and trade reports, 1948 January 1-August 10   box 3 | folder 12


    Report of the United States Library Mission to Advise on the Establishment of the National Diet Library of Japan pamphlet, 1948 October   box 3 | folder 13

    "MacArthur Says Fall of China Imperils U.S.," Life magazine, 1948 December 20   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)


    Magazine clippings, 1948 March 30-December 27   box 3 | folder 14

    Mention MacArthur, American businessmen in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister elections, Japanese labor strikes, new Japanese government under Prime Minister Hitoshi Ashida.



    The American Political Science Review booklet, 1948 December   box 3 | folder 15


    Trusteeship Agreement for Former Japanese Mandated Islands pamphlet, 1948   box 3 | folder 16

    1949



    The Far Eastern Commission: Second Report by the Secretary General, Department of State, March 1949   box 3 | folder 17

    Life magazine, 1949 June 27-July 18   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Mentions Japan's "Red Army."



    United States Department of Commerce, import, export, and trade reports, 1949 July   box 3 | folder 18


    Magazine clippings, 1949 May 23-December 26   box 3 | folder 19

    Mentions Emperor Hirohito, reports on Formosa [Taiwan], American measures taken against Japanese communism, General MacArthur and the role of the Japanese Emperor.



    "Japan's Foreign Trade: Present Conditions, Future Outlook," Foreign Commerce Week, 1949 December 26   box 3 | folder 20


    Untold Story of Japanese-American Negotiations, The Shiunso Press, 1949   box 3 | folder 21


    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1948-1949   box 6 | folder 3

    Includes clippings from the San-Francisco Chronicle, News & Courier, New York Times, the Mainichi Daily News, and several others. Topics include MacArthur's possible candidacy for President of the United States, Japanese Prime Minister Hitoshi Ashida, Japanese war trials, one article regarding "Tokyo Rose" [Iva Toguri D'Aquino](1948 July 29), and a small number of other topics.


    1950



    United States Department of Commerce, import, export, and trade reports, 1950 February   box 3 | folder 22


    Clippings, 1950 June-October 24   box 3 | folder 23

    Mention MacArthur, war in Asia, the rearmament of Japan, and several other topics.


    Life magazine, 1950 September 4-November 27   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Mention Japanese regime, General MacArthur.



    Selected Data on the Occupation of Japan, 1950   box 3 | folder 24


    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1950   box 6 | folder 4

    Includes clippings from the Post & Courier, Charleston Evening Post, and several others. Topics include MacArthur's ban of Japanese "Reds" [Communists], interpreting the Japanese peace treaty, the United States' stand in Formosa [Taiwan], "Red rebellion" in Asia, and a small number of other topics.


    1951


    "The Japs are Marching Again," Saturday Evening Post, 1951 January 20   Oversize Paper Folder 3
    (Flat storage)

    Regarding the Japanese National Police Reserve (NPR).



    The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXIV, No. 614, 1951 April 9   box 4 | folder 1

    Includes entry, "Essentials of a Peace with Japan."



    The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXIV, No. 615, 1951 April 16   box 4 | folder 2

    Includes entry, "U.S. Solicits Opinions of American Republics on Japanese Settlement."



    The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXIV, No. 618, 1951 May 7   box 4 | folder 3

    Includes entry, "Peace Without Fear," regarding the American occupation of Japan.



    "Draft Japanese Peace Treaty," Department of State, 1951 July 11   box 4 | folder 4

    Typescript draft. Also includes printed pamphlet of draft.



    "Japanese Peace Conference, San Francisco, September 4-8, 1951," Department of State Bulletin, 1951 September 17   box 4 | folder 5

    Also includes a brief conference background and summary booklet.



    Magazine and newspaper clippings, 1951 August 3-December 10   box 4 | folder 6

    Includes data about Japanese transition to sovereignty post-American occupation, General Douglas MacArthur, and Republican adviser to the State Department and Future Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles. Also includes photographs, articles about Japanese Peace Conference (1951 September 4-8).



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1951   box 6 | folder 5

    Includes clippings from The News and Courier, The Charleston Evening Post, and several others. Topics include MacArthur's governance of post-war Japan, Japanese peace talks, Russian opposition of the Japanese peace treaty, and a small number of other topics.


    1952



    President's message transmitting to the Japanese Peace Treaty and other treaties relating to security in the Pacific pamphlet, 1951 January 10   box 4 | folder 7


    The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXVI, No. 663, 1952 March 10   box 4 | folder 8

    Includes original bulletin and reprint of "Administrative Agreement with Japan."



    Congressional Record, Proceedings and debates of the 82nd Congress, Second Session, Washington, Thursday, 1952 March 10   box 4 | folder 9

    "How to Win Friends in Asia," New York Times, 1952 September 26   Oversize Paper Folder 2
    (Flat storage)


    "The U.S. and Japan: New Problems, New Hopes" special supplement, Scene magazine, 1952 September   box 4 | folder 10


    The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXVII, No. 701, 1952 December 1   box 4 | folder 11

    Includes entry, "Japan and Free Asia."



    Magazine clippings, 1952 January 26-December 29   box 4 | folder 12

    Mentions Japanese and United States' business trends post-Japanese peace treaty, May Day riots, Japanese political elections, sinking of the USS Hobson, battles of Korea and Indochina, Japanese "G.I. babies."



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1952   box 6 | folder 6

    Includes clippings from The News and Courier and several other titles. Topics include Soviet-Japanese relations, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, Japanese war criminal activities, the end of American occupation in Japan, Japanese communist activities, and a small number of other topics.



    3. Post-American occupation, 1953-1977  

    Includes publications from US departments, newspaper and magazine clippings, booklets, and bound materials.

    1953



    "Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Between the United States of America and Japan" pamphlet, 1953 April 2   box 4 | folder 13


    Letter to Colonel Deas from unknown [Japanese?] writer, 1953 September 12   box 4 | folder 14

    Regarding gifts exchanged between families and general well-wishes. Also includes I.B.A. [International Buddhist Association] newsletter for (1951 December 9), and a photograph of a woman holding a child with handwriting on the back, "25 Apr '51, W. 11 1/2 lbs, At 60 days birthday."



    "Amendment of Article XVII of the Administrative Agreement Under Article III of the Security Treaty" pamphlet, Department of State, 1953 September 29   box 4 | folder 15


    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1953   box 6 | folder 7

    Includes clippings from The News and Courier, The Charleston Evening Post, and several others. Topics include Japanese disarmament, Japanese pilots returning to the skies, and several other topics.


    1954



    "Treaty of Peace with Japan," Department of State, 1954   box 4 | folder 16

    Includes ratifications, declarations by Japan, and exchange of notes at San Francisco.


    "Cities of the World: Kyoto," Saturday Evening Post, 1954 December 11   Oversize Paper Folder 3
    (Flat storage)


    Magazine clippings, 1954 January 3-December 20   box 4 | folder 17

    Regarding Premier Shigeru Yoshida's political decisions and a small number of other topics.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1954   box 6 | folder 8

    Includes clippings from The News and Courier and several others. Topics include Japanese farming, "Red" relations, Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida resignation, Japanese Naval presence, Iwo Jima, radioactivity in Japanese ships and fish, one clipping featuring Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio on their Japanese honeymoon, and several other topics.


    Life magazine clippings, 1954   Oversize Paper Folder 1
    (Flat storage)

    Articles mention new regime in Japan, atomic bomb aftermath.


    1955-1956



    Time magazine clippings, 1955 August 1-October 24   box 4 | folder 18

    Includes article regarding Okinawa post-World War II.


    Saturday Evening Post clippings, 1955 November 19-1956 February 25   Oversize Paper Folder 3
    (Flat storage)

    Regarding American tourism in Japan, Helen Keller's visit to Tokyo.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1955-1956   box 6 | folder 9

    Includes clippings from The News and Courier and several others. Topics include 10th anniversiary of atom bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the firing of General Douglas MacArthur, Soviet Russia and Japanese peace talks, one clipping regarding the Bandoeng [Bandung] Conference, reports of natural disasters, Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri D'Aquino) parole, Japanese textile imports, and a small number of other topics.


    1959, 1964-1977



    Today's Japan, Vol.4, No.9, 1959 September-October   box 4 | folder 19

    Includes essays, short stories, and poems relating to Japanese life and culture.



    Mainichi Daily News, 1975 June 21-1976 November 16   box 4 | folder 20

    Features Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida's funeral, Japanese-Australian joint business ventures, discussions between United States President Lyndon B. Johnson and Prime Minister Eisaku Sato.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1964-1977   box 6 | folder 11

    Topics include the resurrection of the Tokyo Rose case (1971), the 101st anniversary (1964) of the first Japanese-United States naval battle, and a small number of other topics.



    4. Japanese maps, travel, and language materials, 1930, 1945-1952, 1975, undated  

    Japanese maps


    Guide to Maps of the Far East booklet, Special Series No. 31, War Department, Washington, D.C., 1945 June 1   box 5 | folder 1


    Pacific Ocean, The National Geographic Magazine, 1952 December   box 5 | folder 2


    Japan map, War and Navy Department   box 5 | folder 3


    Tokyo maps, undated   box 5 | folder 4

    Two maps, one in Japanese.



    Large Scale Map of the Far East, Geographia Map Co., Inc., undated   box 5 | folder 5

    Covers "Indo-China, Thailand (Siam), Burma, Malaya, China, Formosa, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, India, Etc."



    Sketch Map of Railway, Japanese Travel Bureau   box 5 | folder 6

    With distances and hours from Nagoya Station.



    Map of Nagoya, Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry, undated   box 5 | folder 7


    Japanese travel materials, 1975, undated   box 5 | folder 8

    Includes various travel brochures, postcards, etiquitte tips for American travel in Japan, hotel information, and two sightseeing magazines.

    Japanese language materials, 1930, 1946, undated

    Materials include handwritten annotations/marginalia, presumably by Alston Deas.



    Harada, Tasuku and George Tadao Kunitomo, Introduction to Colloquial Japanese, University of Hawaii: Honolulu, Hawaii, 1930   box 5 | folder 9


    Japanese in Thirty Hours, The Seiwa-Kai Society: Tokyo, 1946   box 5 | folder 10


    Naganuma, N., English-Japanese Everyday Words and Phrases, undated   box 5 | folder 11


    How to Speak Japanese Language, undated   box 5 | folder 12


    Alston Deas' compositions notebook   box 5 | folder 13

    Includes handwritten Japanese language notes, typescript lesson plans for Japanese language course.



    Miscellaneous newspaper clippings, undated   box 1 | folder 19-21

    Topics include MacArthur administration, Toyko Rose, textile production, the Japanese peace treaty, Japanese education, and several other topics.



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    Administrative Information

    Access Restrictions

    This collection is open for research.

    Copyright Notice

    The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

    The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Alston Deas collection, College of Charleston Libraries, Charleston, SC, USA.

    Acquisitions Information

    Donated by Colonel Alston Deas, 1980.

    Processing Information

    Originally processed by Special Collections staff, date unknown.

    Reprocessed by Cara McHugh, April 2013.

    Encoded by Cara McHugh, April 2013.

    Reviewed, edited, and uploaded by Martha McTear, May 2013.

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