SERIOUS OUTLOOK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 28, 2 January 1942, Page 5

SERIOUS OUTLOOK

FATE OF MANILA. EVACUATION OF WOUNDED. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. D a.m.) NEW IORK, Dec. 31. The New York Herald-tribune's "Washington correspondent says ttiat Washington oniciajs consider the Jail ot Manila imminent. It adds that the latest imothcial reports indicate that the troops are lighting in the outskirts oi the city, 'the American Associated Press states that the tall of Manila appears imminent, me latest advices slio»- that the Japanese are overwhelmingly advancing from the north and south. It was stated later that communications with Manila had failed at least temporarily. The Tokio official radio claims that the Philippine Government has been moved to Darwin, Australia. The War Department in Washington, questioned about the announcement, said no comment was available at present. A message from Sydney says there is no confirmation in official circles there of the Japanese report. A United States War Department communique states that General Macarthur advises that wounded of the American and Philippine army are being evacuated from the Manila area in the steamship Mactan, which is a converted hospital ship appropriately marked in accordance with the Geneva Convention. The wounded will be taken to Australia. American, and Philippine troops are continuing their stubborn resistance in accordance with prearranged defence plans. There is nothing to report from the other areas. The communications between Manila and the rest of the world are now stated in New York to be confined to tho.se still being maintained by the United States Navy Department. Ine Western Union cable service and all ■wireless transmissions have been taken ever by the military authorities. Senator T. Conolly, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, told reporters in Washington that the distance between the United States and the Philippines was so great as to make it virtually impossible to send reinforcements in time to prevent the fall of Manila. The United States must be prepared lor losses of men and possibly many ships. TREMENDOUS ENGAGEMENT.

The United States Navy was still in communication with Manila on Wednesday morning. The military took over all radio stations, which accounts for the silence. The latest reports trom Manila received at 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning indicated that a furious battle was raging against the tremendous enemy tank, infantry, and air forces.

The Associated Press Manila correspondent reported on Tuesday that the Japanese who landed last week southeast of Manila have now fought their way to Lueina a.nd Dolores, 45 miles jrom the city. The invaders arc apparently attempting to effect a junction tor a further advance at San Pablo. In the north the new shortened United States line is said to run west and east through Zaragoza, 120 miles from Mnnila. The United States forces have apparently been withdrawn completely from the area of Lingayen Gulf. The Tokio radio claims that the Japanese have .advanced to the vicinity of Lucena, 44 miles south of ManGeneral Maearthur s headquarters Announced at 11 a.m. on Wednesday: "The enemy arc driving forward in great force from the north a.nd srurtn. Japanese bombers practically control the roads from the air. Furthermore. the enemy use great quantities of tanks and armoured units. The American lines are heinc pushed back." Japanese Army Headquarters declare that Japan has called on the United States forces in the Philippines to cease resistance and surrender to assure the safety and protection of lives and property in Manila." SOVIET REPROACH. ■

The Soviet paper Pravda, Hi a leader, sharply criticises the conduct of the Philippines campaign, especinllv the tactics at Manila, saying: '•retain tactics are being used to defend Manila. Failure to transform the city into a Tobruk, a Leningrad, or a Moscow constitutes an act of cowardice. Manila as an open city is comparable to a defenceless Unlvbiig which rolls over on its back sticking its legs into the air when an enemy appears. She is not blameable because Nature did not give her horns, stings, or a brave heart. But'what can be said ot an armed man who lies down on bis | back as soon as the enemy appears?Such peonle are called cowards,_ this also applies to a. nation imitating a j ladybug or to an individual city m the dignifying position of a ladybug with the high-sounding name of an open city. ' "Manila has been thus declared an open city. Manila, is not defending itself Manila is • not the fir-t city which lav on it*, Hack. When Hitlers hordes approached Pans Pe an, took up the position of the ladybug. Rut this did not save Pans from humiliation. Manila could have resisted the ,memy like Leningrad Sebastopol. Moscow, or Tula. Tt could have withstood a siege Wee Tobruk. The hardships and misery would have been abundantly compensated W the glory to the people and the exhaustion ot the enomv's P forces." This was written by the chief leader-writer, M. Zazlavskv.