Misinterpreted Word

Mokusatsu!

During the closing weeks of World War II, the Allies issued the Potsdam ultimatum to Japan. The emperor of Japan wished to end the war in July, 1945. The proud war lords and governing body delayed. They announced a policy of "mokusatsu," which means to ignore, or to refrain from comment. The latter definition implied that there would be no comment until there was time to weigh fully the terms of the ultimatum. Unfortunately, a press dispatch translated the word "mokusatsu" to mean that the cabinet would ignore the ultimatum! The erroneous interpretation was allowed to stand! The war was prolonged. The Russians entered the war when Japan was moribund. Atomic bombs fell on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Thousands perished. Others were horribly maimed for life — all because one word was misinterpreted!