Q: How did MacArthur treat the Russian diplomat?
MAIHAFER: There's a wonderful story about General Derevyanko, the Russian
representative. And, remember now, the Russians had gotten into the war, the
very tail end, after the bomb had been dropped and the war was for all intents
and purposes over with. And, yet they wanted to be full time partners.
And, Derevyanko came into MacArthur's office and said something to the effect
that, he was going to start bringing Russians troops into Honshu. And,
MacArthur said, "When first Russian lands, when any Russian lands here in
Japan, the whole Russian delegation is going to be thrown in jail, beginning
with you, General." (Laughing) And, Derevyanko , no one had ever
talked to him that way before and he looked at him and said, "My God I think
you would." And, he slunk out of the office and no more was heard about
bringing Russian troops into Japan.
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