British-Led Guerillas Continue Malayan Fight

Northern Advocate, 19 January 1944, Page 2

British-Led Guerillas Continue Malayan Fight

CHUNGKING, January 18,

Guerillas are operating in Malayan mountains and forests led by British officers who survived Singapore’s fall, the Rev. Marcus Cheng, a prominent Chinese Christian, who escaped from Singapore last year, reported today. Mr. Cheng said that guerillas outnumber Japanese forces by six to one, consisting mainly of Chinese troops with seme British, Australians and Indians.

Crock Japanese troops who seized Singapore were transferred elsewhere. Malaya is garrisoned mainly with sailors who lost their ships. Thousands of natives died because of scanty rations. Mr. Cheng said that Australians were being forced to build railroads and perform other labour, while British prisoners were assigned humiliating tasks formerly done by the humblest coolies. Picture shows, opium dens and bars were doing a thriving business in Singapore’. Surrender Offers Refused After capturing Singapore the Japanese bayoneted and killed every Chinese against whom there was the slightest suspicion. Many Malayan natives had joined the guerillas rather than enlist for military service with the Japanese. British-led guerillas armed with trench mortars, machine-guns and rifles had been harassing the Japanese Malayan garrisons. British and Australian officers organised guerilla bands and trained them in mobile warfare. So far they had rejected ah Japanese surrender demands. Mr. Cheng said that operation of Malayan tin mines had been suspended because the Japanese lack technique and machinery for production and ships for transporttaion. Gasoline shortage had forced the Japanese to use charcoal burners in vehicles.

The Chinese in Malaya suffered most at the hands of the invaders. In two searches for patriots, the Japanese arrested and carried away 30,000 Chinese, none of whom had been heard of since.