Quite some time has elapsed since my last entry, during which time the rumors have been coming in strong and unreliable as ever and I have been keeping out of trouble puttering around making one thing and another. Have made three folding canvas chairs, cabinet for supplies and a shanty for a friend. When I get started on these jobs I don't like to quit until I'm finished, resulting in the neglect of this. Although there has not been much to tell lately anyway.
Apparently all the rumors about reinforcements arriving in the Philippines is "bunk." Bataan has definitely fallen and today we have confirmation that Corregidor surrendered yesterday. This is the last of American stronghold and completes the surrender of the Philippines to the Japs. Needless to say, no one is feeling any too good today. It now looks like we will be here for a long while. In three more days we will have completed four months in the "klink."
According to rumor, the European situation is more favorable and the betting by Lloyds and Wall Street is four to one that the mess there will be over in thirty days. The Russians are going strong and progress is being made on all other fronts. Naturally, the sooner the European mess is cleaned up, the better it will be for us out here as an all out on the Japs can then be made. We hear of large convoys arriving in Australia from the U.S.A. which is, I imagine, the preparation or ground work for the big push. In the mean-time, we are still locked up and the chow getting no better fast. Am down to 160 pounds now.
Am not much in the mood for writing today, but this has broken the "ice" so will be back again tomorrow with the latest.
April 25, 1942
The hot weather continues and so does the rumors. We have been getting in the rumor for the past few days that Italy is asking for a seperate peace with the Allies and are holding a meeting in Lisbon for that purpose. To my way of thinking, this is not at all unlikely as we have not heard of Italy taking any offensive lately or, as a matter of fact, doing much of anything. It was a surprise to many when Italy cast her lot with the Axis and now that the tide appears to be changing it is the natural thing to do in an effort to salvage something at least.
We have a very similar case right here in Manila but on a personal scale, of a prominent official connected with the Agp. When the Japs first took over Manila, this party was not interned with the rest of us but was out in custody of a high ranking Nazi official friend of his. Up to several days ago, said party enjoyed all the freedom and protection of the present Jap military regime. This naturally encumbered certain obligations and before long said party was making radio speeches about co-operating with the new order of East Asia and telling the Filipinos how badly they had been exploited by the Americans. Apparently due to either a change of heart or a change in the military situation out this way, said party tried to swing over to our side and wanted to come in to camp and be interned like all the rest of us, several days ago. The Jap commandant in charge of this camp would not accept him and referred him to the military headquarters. I saw and talked to him when he came in here to apply for admission. I have known him for some time; played golf and many a drink we've had together. Always thought him to be a fine fellow and a good sport up to the outbreak of war. It is very amusing to see how people re-act when the pressure is applied. It's an experience worth millions that you couldn't sell for a plugged dime. Now to get back to the story: this morning the rumor comes in hot and heavy that two Americans were executed by the Japs yesterday, one of which was an official of the Agp. No one seems to know who the other one was, or why he was executed. All the other officials of Agp are in here which leaves only one answer as I see it. But that's war! Said party may have had another side to the story that we don't know and many of us are hoping that this execution is only a rumor so that we may some day know the full story.
And speaking of people that change their nationality, there were two in our immediate shanty that turned yellow when the pressure was applied; one, formerly connected with the Army who destroyed a U.S. passport and other equipment and kept only a foreign birth certificate for identification. However, when things got tough on the outside and the Japs issued stern warnings to foreigners to register, they got scared stiff and finally came into camp. If the U.S. was a little more strict in their admission of foreigners to U.S. Citizenship, they might value it more highly. On the other hand, you will probably find native born citizens who are no better and ready to jump on any band-wagon to save their selfish flesh and blood. It gets me!!
There is considerable air activity around here today; guess they are out after Corregidor again. We have had very little news lately. Even the K.G.E.I. transcripts have nothing on the Philippine situation. We have either been forgotten, or this is the calm before the storm. Quien sabe! We have heard nothing on the Bataan situation lately or what has been done with the sixty thousand troops that have been taken prisoners.
We have a very similar case right here in Manila but on a personal scale, of a prominent official connected with the Agp. When the Japs first took over Manila, this party was not interned with the rest of us but was out in custody of a high ranking Nazi official friend of his. Up to several days ago, said party enjoyed all the freedom and protection of the present Jap military regime. This naturally encumbered certain obligations and before long said party was making radio speeches about co-operating with the new order of East Asia and telling the Filipinos how badly they had been exploited by the Americans. Apparently due to either a change of heart or a change in the military situation out this way, said party tried to swing over to our side and wanted to come in to camp and be interned like all the rest of us, several days ago. The Jap commandant in charge of this camp would not accept him and referred him to the military headquarters. I saw and talked to him when he came in here to apply for admission. I have known him for some time; played golf and many a drink we've had together. Always thought him to be a fine fellow and a good sport up to the outbreak of war. It is very amusing to see how people re-act when the pressure is applied. It's an experience worth millions that you couldn't sell for a plugged dime. Now to get back to the story: this morning the rumor comes in hot and heavy that two Americans were executed by the Japs yesterday, one of which was an official of the Agp. No one seems to know who the other one was, or why he was executed. All the other officials of Agp are in here which leaves only one answer as I see it. But that's war! Said party may have had another side to the story that we don't know and many of us are hoping that this execution is only a rumor so that we may some day know the full story.
And speaking of people that change their nationality, there were two in our immediate shanty that turned yellow when the pressure was applied; one, formerly connected with the Army who destroyed a U.S. passport and other equipment and kept only a foreign birth certificate for identification. However, when things got tough on the outside and the Japs issued stern warnings to foreigners to register, they got scared stiff and finally came into camp. If the U.S. was a little more strict in their admission of foreigners to U.S. Citizenship, they might value it more highly. On the other hand, you will probably find native born citizens who are no better and ready to jump on any band-wagon to save their selfish flesh and blood. It gets me!!
There is considerable air activity around here today; guess they are out after Corregidor again. We have had very little news lately. Even the K.G.E.I. transcripts have nothing on the Philippine situation. We have either been forgotten, or this is the calm before the storm. Quien sabe! We have heard nothing on the Bataan situation lately or what has been done with the sixty thousand troops that have been taken prisoners.
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