THE PHILIPPINES.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 63, 14 August 1944, Page 2

THE PHILIPPINES.

FIRST AIR RAIDS. LONDON, August 11. The American Air Force has made its first raids on the Philippine Islands. PEOPLE RESTIVE AIS RESCUE NEARS. Tokio-controlled radio warns that Allied gains threaten Japan’s grip on islands. As Allied landing in Dutch New Guinea brought General Douglas MacArthur’s forces within 1200 miles of the Philippine Islands, Japanese radiocasts from Tokio and Manila gave evidence of new concern for the security of those islands.

For the first four days after the Hollandia landing, Japanese propagandists said nothing, so far as is known, about the actual event. But on the day of the attack the home radio carried a long commentary warning the people that < ‘ the enemy has stretched its claws deep into our inner South Seas,” the distance between Japanese and Allied i;u< s 'has gradually lessened,” the war c-louds in the Pacific are ‘ * becoming more ominous.”

Significantly, the commentator added: “The enemy is planning to cut the mainland of*Japan off from the Southern Nations and at the same time he intends to pierce through dur supply line via the Philippines. Meanwhile, Japanese officials are trying to crystallise the idea of * 1 all-out ’ ’ support for Japan among the Filipinos. One device is a Filipino ‘ ‘ gratitude mission” currently in Japan to give thanks for “independence.” It- is headed by Binigno Aquino (Speaker of the National Assembly), who was dined, decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun, and allowed to personally greet the Emperor. No less a person that Premier General Hideki To jo assured the mission of Japan’s ability to drive off any attack by the United States.

VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS. Until recently, Filipino radio commentators have been allowed to interpret as they saw fit the military pact signed with Japan after the granting of pseudo-independence to the islands. They described the treaty as making no upon the Filipinos for active aid, but only for co-operation to the extent of not hampering Japanese de fences if invasion occurred.

Tokio propagandists now seem to be irked by this loose interpretation, apparently devised to make the pact more palatable. They are telling the Filipinos now that it would be better to “fight for independence” than take a chance of “America’s empty promises. ’ ’

New concern also is evidenced over the continuance of guerrilla resistance in the Philippines. For many weeks little was heard of the guerrillas, as Manila’s Radio’s power was cut down on broadcasts to the southern islands. But recently a number of references again appeared on the radio. In Leyte, according to a local Manila radiocast, cities and towns were “completely razed. . . others were practically reduced to ashes” in the course of a prolonged battle or series of battles. The havoc- was wrought by U.S.A.F.F.E. (United States and Filipino forces) “remnants” when the townspeople refused to accompany them to the mountains.

When neighbourhood associations were formed to make the people of Leyte collectively responsible for the guerrillas, the radio complained, even the neighbourhood leaders, “instead of fighting against the real enemy,” gave arms and assistance to the guerrillas. WHISPERING CAMPAIGN.

Manila Radio further admits that in Leyte the people “do not take any interest in anything,” there are no newspapers, and some benighted persons do not know who is President of the Philippines. It adds, however, that in the mountains there is “a sort of lip-ser-vice broadcast similar to the whispering campaign.” Since Japanese propagandists are constantly inveighing against American propaganda, it may be assumed that the bamboo telegraph is spreading the news of America’s new victories on New Guinea, as well as the attacks on Paulau, only 600 miles off the Philippine coast.

In Panay, sixth largest of the islands Tomas Confessor —who is the inspiration of Filipino guerrillas throughout the archipelago—is holding cut despite all efforts of the Japanese and their collaborators to induce him to surrender. A new propaganda campaign has been started there with the opening of a local radio transmitter.

In Mindanao, resistance also continues in the mountains, despite Japan’s promises to help the rebellious Moros “improve their position” and attain equality in the “ co-prosperity sphere” if they would surrender. .Part of the Japanese population of Davao has been evacuated, either out of fear of air raids or because of guerrilla raids. Davao residents were said to have “conducted themselves in a superb manner.” The Tokio Government has organised

home guard corps in 13 key centres of Japan in preparation for Allied air raids, it was announced in Japanese domestic radiocases heard by United States Government monitors. The Allies have much progress in the Pacific since the above was written, and are now within 800 miles, of the Japanese mainland.