EVACUEE VICTIMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 7

EVACUEE VICTIMS

JAPANESE BOMBERS ATTACK IN PHILIPPINES WAKE ISLAND INVADED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 24, 2.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 23. There were heavy casualties in Manila this afternoon when the Japanese bombed an evacuees’ reservation. The attack was the first affecting any of the numerous evacuation areas to which residents of crowded districts have been moved by the Red Cross. The Manila Herald reported that American artillery effectively shelled at least 10 Japanese transports off Agoo. The New York Times estimates, according to the most recent information, that the Philippine forces comprise 200,000 men, of which 150,000 are Filipino reservists aged from 21 to 26 years and trained since 1936 for the type of fighting now going on. General MacArthur plans to train this year an additional 40,000 Filipino reservists aged 20, and to form a regular Philippine army comprising 7200 officers and men.

A San Francisco report states that a Japanese submarine attacked an American tanker off the Californian coast to-day between Arguello and Estero Bay. The submarine heavily shelled the tanker and also fired three torpedoes, but failed to sink her.

The Navy Department announced that the Japanese had effected a landing on Wake Island. A Rangoon communique said that nine Japanese bombers and one fighter were destroyed during the raid. Three British fighters were lost.