SENSELESS AND SAVAGE

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

SENSELESS AND SAVAGE

BOMBING OF MANILA CHURCHES DELIBERATELY SELECTED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 30. A United States War Department communique received from Washington gives a report by- General MacArtbur on tho Japanese' bombing of Manila. The report says; A survey of the damage done on undefended (Manila by repeated senseless and savage bombing by Japanese aircraft after it had been declared an open city has been practically completed. This survey- indicated that churches and other centres of Christian worship were deliberately selected as special targets. These edifices were of a distinctive type of architecture, and their character could not have been mistaken. Before the brutal assaults began Japanese bombing planes flew low over the city, obviously selecting buildings which were subsequently bombed, lu many churches attacked the devout gathered for sanctuary and solace. Among buildings destroyed were churches and shrines wliere many generations had worshipped for centuries. The beautiful old Church of Santa Domingo, with priceless art treasures, is now a heap of smoking ruins, and the great Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was a special target for Japanese bombs. It was sought out and attacked on three successive days, and repeated attacks on successive days were made on the Santa Rosa Convent and the Santa Catalina Convent. San Juan Dedios Hospital was also the object of vicious attacks, and five churches and three colleges supported by- religious institutions. The enemy mercilessly bombed the open city of* Manila, using 63 bombers. The damage has been severe, and included all types of civilian installations such as churches, cathedrals, hospitals, convents, business, and private dwell* ings. It is notable that before Manila was declared an open city and before our anti-aircraft defences evacuated it, the enemy abstained from ' the attempted bombing of anything in Manila except military installations. Tho Japanese action was a complete violation of al the civilised processes of international law. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. Replying to the Japanese protest against the alleged killing of 10 Japanese nationals at Davao, the State Department accused Japan of bombing the defenceless civilian population of the open city of .Manila 11 ruthlessly, wantonly, and with complete lack of humanity. The Japanese objective in making the protest clearly is to divert attention from their iniquities by making accusations against others.” A United States war communique stales; A very large force of aircraft bombed the coast defences of Manila flfcy continuously for three hours. At least four Japanese bombers were brought down by the anti-aircraft batteries. No important ground operations are reported from either the Linga.Ven or Antirnonan sectors. There is nothing to report from the other areas.