japs in Singapore

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 213, 8 September 1945, Page 5

japs in Singapore

HESITANT' 10 DISARM

DANGER FROM VENGEFUL CHINESE Recd. 11 p.m. Singapore, S£pt. 6. The Japanese, retreating from Singapore island across the Johore Causeway, showed a reluctance to disarm to their own military guard under the surrender terms, insisting that Japanese commodities, stores and civil administration needed protection. Looting has been prevalent in the heavily Chinese populuated areas. The Allied authorities warned that it will be punished with death. The Allies announced that the Japanese garrison at Singapore totalled 85,000, 85 generals and an undetermined number of admirals. The British ordered the Japanese to dump their arms by 10 a.m. on Friday at the causeway and evacuate to south Johore by 6 p.m. Japanese civil administration is permitted to remain. The British commander, recognising the danger to Japanese withdrawing to hostile areas filled with vengeful Chinese and Malayan guerrillas, said the enemy would be allowed to keep ten rifles for each 100 soldiers. The Japanese quibbled some time, alternately showing flashes of arrogance and submission. Once they said they had no reason to accept, but the argument terminated with the weighted suggestion they carry out the surrender as directed. The Japanese claimed they owned stores where the Chinese traditionally monopolised the retail trade and also said the currency deposited at the Post Office was Japanese. The broad highway leading to the causeway presented a strange sight, with Japanese and Indian convoys interspersed. Most of the Japanese were on foot, manv pulling carts. The prisoners watched the motley Japanese procession silently, hut hurst into cheers when their liberators came in trucks.