News has again been scarce for the past few days up till this morning and now it comes in a plenty and all bad. It is reported that the Japs have broke through our first lines of defense at Bataan and the situation is very critical for our side. This is supposed to have been broadcast over the only free radio station (free to Japs) in these islands, 'Voice of Freedom' and is considered authentic. This contradicts all previous rumors we have been getting in about the arrival of reinforcements at various points in the islands.
While we are naturally very impatient, being cooped up here in camp, if there is any truth in the above rumor, it rather looks like Uncle Sam has let us down, for there certainly has been sufficient time elapsed to get something over here anyway. There is undoubtedly a lot of things we don't know about what is going on, so best not form any opinion one way or the other. However, such news is very depressing to say the least. Most every ones nerves are on edge this morning and I have seen several scraps among the men. It happens every time. So much for that; we'll try a little more about camp life.
There is not much work to be done around camp anymore, sanitary improvements have been completed as far as possible, the camp is fairly well cleaned, so there is naught left to do but loaf around all day, which makes for a terribly long day. A bunch of fellows in our room have a little poker game every day, losses payable when we get out, which helps to kill some of the time. We use a set of home-made chips, similar to those used for money in the game of Mah Jong, and get along quite OK except that at the present standing I am not doing so well. However, it's on the cuff, so what!
Money is becoming more scarce and we are all in a bad way as every one of us is "broke." Fortunately our Filipino friends have not forgotten us and send us in food and smokes fairly regularly. Several local banks have opened but unfortunately none of us had accounts with them. We hear that it would not have done us any good any way, as all our accounts are frozen by the Japs. All in all, at the moment, the picture of conditions is not too bright as we see it, but here's hoping something breaks in the near future.
Several days ago the rumor was running strong that Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki were heavily bombed again by our forces and that the Japs were ready to declare Manila an open city in exchange for Tokio. Apparently all this was just another rumor for we have received no confirmation of it and we are still here. And that's no rumor!!
April 5, 1942 - Easter Sunday
Things have been rather quiet again for the past few days, not even any good rumors worth writing down except for last nights session. Just for the fun of it you might check up on the date of this one and see if our grape-vine is working.
It is reported that Allied troops have landed in France in an effort to split the German power before their contemplated spring invasion of England. Russia appears to be going strong and it is expected that they (Russia) will make a seperate peace with Germany. Another side is that Germany is expected to collapse within sixty days from date. It is also reported that food riots are becoming serious and that there is plenty of internal trouble in Germany. All this, of course, looks good for our side but as I have heard so many rumors both pro and con that have never materialized, I take no stock in any of them and just live from day to day, hoping for the best. It would be interesting to know if there is anything to this.
Last night there was another heavy seige of bombing and artillery, same as that mentioned under date of April first, which was probably another attempted landing on Corregidor. It is reported that the attack on the first was made by barges heavily loaded with men and supplies, all of which were completely annihalated by our forces from Corregidor. It is reported that they also attempted a landing at Bataan, behind our lines and this was likewise repulsed with heavy losses.
Our friends on the outside sent us in an exceptionally good meal today, this being Easter, the best we have had in some time; soup, roast chicken and some sort of frozen desert. It was a real treat.
In some ways this concentration camp life has been a real education, for it has afforded a great opportunity to study us Americans and other nationals in general, at a close range, and a lot of your so-called friends. Believe me, I have learned plenty although hardly worth writing about as it would not make for pleasant reading. I have also made several new friends who have really prooven themselves as friends, so consider myself quite fortunate considering all things.
As I mentioned before, foreign food stuffs and etc; are fast disappearing from the markets and we are getting back to native life and chow, even to smokes. We have been smoking native cigarettes for the past two months and like them. Every so often some one gets in states cigarettes and they are so different I don't even care for them now. It is just as well for we will be smoking "dhobies" for sometime to come.
To alleviate the food situation, we have plowed up by hand, about three acres of ground and have planted vegetables of all kinds. While I am hoping we are not still here to reap the harvest, it is a good idea anyway.
The morale of camp seems pretty good today; many of them are dressed up in their Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes, neckties and everything, parading around the grounds to show off. It's great, the spirit of us Americans! I believe a great many of the extremely high optomistic rumors are started by the Japanese High Command so that when they do not come true, they expect we will crack up in spirit. We have had all sorts of rumors such as, all Japs were evacuating Manila and we would be out in a day or two; or the Japs were asking for peace; fifty percent of their navy is no more, and all such stuff. While we have had many let-downs almost enough to crack the best, we are still betting on Uncle Sam to save the day and teach these devils a lesson they will never forget. While they have taken the whole world by surprise and have taken everything they started out for, I can't see how they can possibly expect to hold it for any length of time. From all reports, they don't seem to know what to do after they do take a city. About all they have done in Manila is to loot all our homes, abuse the residents and spread a lot of worthless currency. There is no business going on, so as far as I can see they have accomplished very little other than causing destruction.
A flight of eighteen bombers have just gone overhead; they were flying so high it was impossible to say whether they were ours or not, but rumors are running high that we now have planes here so we like to think that they were ours. At least they went over without dropping any "eggs" on us so guess there is no harm is believing. Whenever any planes go over, most everyone runs out of the building, hoping to see what we have all been waiting for so long. It will be one grand and glorious day when it does come, for this is worse than being in a jail. When one is in jail, they know or have some idea when they can expect to get out, but with us it is quite different.
Directly across the hall from our room is a room full of Poles, who are not too particular about personal cleanliness and consistantly jabber away all day and far into the night. At times they get on ones nerves and I could cheerfully slaughter the whole lot. But such is life!
The latest rumor along the lines of exchanging diplomats and citizens is supposed to take place on April 20th; when a Jap ship leaves the Philippines for Mozambique, South Africa, where the swap is to be made. Applications are now supposed to be presented but it looks "fishy" to me so intend staying right here, rather than take that chance. A number of people have been reported to have put in their applications but I doubt if they will ever get on their way. Probably another Jap rumor, originated for the purpose of giving us another let-down but I again doubt if it will have the desired effect.
Siesta hour is over and the usual chatter is going strong so will sign off for a while until the spirit moves me again or something of interest comes to mind. We have a pretty good gang in this room and most every one can take a little "ribbing" now and then, which helps to keep things going. At the moment I seem to be in for it with none too flattering remarks so -------
It is reported that Allied troops have landed in France in an effort to split the German power before their contemplated spring invasion of England. Russia appears to be going strong and it is expected that they (Russia) will make a seperate peace with Germany. Another side is that Germany is expected to collapse within sixty days from date. It is also reported that food riots are becoming serious and that there is plenty of internal trouble in Germany. All this, of course, looks good for our side but as I have heard so many rumors both pro and con that have never materialized, I take no stock in any of them and just live from day to day, hoping for the best. It would be interesting to know if there is anything to this.
Last night there was another heavy seige of bombing and artillery, same as that mentioned under date of April first, which was probably another attempted landing on Corregidor. It is reported that the attack on the first was made by barges heavily loaded with men and supplies, all of which were completely annihalated by our forces from Corregidor. It is reported that they also attempted a landing at Bataan, behind our lines and this was likewise repulsed with heavy losses.
Our friends on the outside sent us in an exceptionally good meal today, this being Easter, the best we have had in some time; soup, roast chicken and some sort of frozen desert. It was a real treat.
In some ways this concentration camp life has been a real education, for it has afforded a great opportunity to study us Americans and other nationals in general, at a close range, and a lot of your so-called friends. Believe me, I have learned plenty although hardly worth writing about as it would not make for pleasant reading. I have also made several new friends who have really prooven themselves as friends, so consider myself quite fortunate considering all things.
As I mentioned before, foreign food stuffs and etc; are fast disappearing from the markets and we are getting back to native life and chow, even to smokes. We have been smoking native cigarettes for the past two months and like them. Every so often some one gets in states cigarettes and they are so different I don't even care for them now. It is just as well for we will be smoking "dhobies" for sometime to come.
To alleviate the food situation, we have plowed up by hand, about three acres of ground and have planted vegetables of all kinds. While I am hoping we are not still here to reap the harvest, it is a good idea anyway.
The morale of camp seems pretty good today; many of them are dressed up in their Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes, neckties and everything, parading around the grounds to show off. It's great, the spirit of us Americans! I believe a great many of the extremely high optomistic rumors are started by the Japanese High Command so that when they do not come true, they expect we will crack up in spirit. We have had all sorts of rumors such as, all Japs were evacuating Manila and we would be out in a day or two; or the Japs were asking for peace; fifty percent of their navy is no more, and all such stuff. While we have had many let-downs almost enough to crack the best, we are still betting on Uncle Sam to save the day and teach these devils a lesson they will never forget. While they have taken the whole world by surprise and have taken everything they started out for, I can't see how they can possibly expect to hold it for any length of time. From all reports, they don't seem to know what to do after they do take a city. About all they have done in Manila is to loot all our homes, abuse the residents and spread a lot of worthless currency. There is no business going on, so as far as I can see they have accomplished very little other than causing destruction.
A flight of eighteen bombers have just gone overhead; they were flying so high it was impossible to say whether they were ours or not, but rumors are running high that we now have planes here so we like to think that they were ours. At least they went over without dropping any "eggs" on us so guess there is no harm is believing. Whenever any planes go over, most everyone runs out of the building, hoping to see what we have all been waiting for so long. It will be one grand and glorious day when it does come, for this is worse than being in a jail. When one is in jail, they know or have some idea when they can expect to get out, but with us it is quite different.
Directly across the hall from our room is a room full of Poles, who are not too particular about personal cleanliness and consistantly jabber away all day and far into the night. At times they get on ones nerves and I could cheerfully slaughter the whole lot. But such is life!
The latest rumor along the lines of exchanging diplomats and citizens is supposed to take place on April 20th; when a Jap ship leaves the Philippines for Mozambique, South Africa, where the swap is to be made. Applications are now supposed to be presented but it looks "fishy" to me so intend staying right here, rather than take that chance. A number of people have been reported to have put in their applications but I doubt if they will ever get on their way. Probably another Jap rumor, originated for the purpose of giving us another let-down but I again doubt if it will have the desired effect.
Siesta hour is over and the usual chatter is going strong so will sign off for a while until the spirit moves me again or something of interest comes to mind. We have a pretty good gang in this room and most every one can take a little "ribbing" now and then, which helps to keep things going. At the moment I seem to be in for it with none too flattering remarks so -------
April 1, 1942
We're still here and that's no foolin' either. A few April fool pranks were played on various ones in camp this morning, so we do have our fun along with it all.
As is the usual custom every evening after curfew, we sit out in front of the building and exchange rumors of the day. Last nite they were all bad for our side so naturally most everyone is in low spirits today. It is reported that our forces in Bataan are suffering heavy losses the past few days due to a big push the Japs are putting on. There has been considerable air activity again and it seems that planes are always droning over head in the direction of Corregidor and Bataan.
Last nite from 8:00 to 9:00 PM there seemed to be heavy bombing going on about twenty miles or so away from us. We could also hear the distant rumbling of what might have been heavy artillery. So far today no rumors have come in about what it was. We will probably get them at the session this evening and expect that there will be some fantastic stories among them.
Another wave of abuses as practiced by the Japs on civilians outside has come in from various sources and as they sound very likely, I record them here.
Apparently the devils are following their cowardly methods by picking on women and old men. Many cases are reported of men and women being slapped down for not bowing to the Jap sentries. If the happen to have packages in their arms, same are torn open and the contents strewn over the street. This has happened to both Americans out on pass, and Filipinos alike.
There was a case here in camp this morning of a Chinaman who was bringing the padres some supplies; the Jap sentries at the gate took the stuff and said it could not be delivered. When he asked for a receipt from the sentry so that he could show his boss, the sentries beat him up un-mercifully then let the poor devil lay there until he could gain enough strength to walk away.
It makes my blood boil when I hear of these things and know I can do nothing about it. But every dog has his day and I'm looking forward to it "con mucho gusto." My principal concern now is in getting out of this camp right side up. Although concentration camps have never been known to be bombed, you can never tell what these devils will do. I am hoping that when our boys come in they come in a hurry and leave them no chance to do any dirty work. Most every one seems to think that when they are driven out of Manila, they will destroy the power and water supply, which is not at all unlikely, for I wouldn't put anything passed them.
This morning we had a little spark of encouragement when a plane with an entirely different sounding motor went over head, hell bent for leather, from the sound. It was flying so high in the clouds we could not see it. Most everyone ran out to see and seemed to agree that it must have been an American plane. Things like that buck up the moral and now you may even see a smile once in a while.
As is the usual custom every evening after curfew, we sit out in front of the building and exchange rumors of the day. Last nite they were all bad for our side so naturally most everyone is in low spirits today. It is reported that our forces in Bataan are suffering heavy losses the past few days due to a big push the Japs are putting on. There has been considerable air activity again and it seems that planes are always droning over head in the direction of Corregidor and Bataan.
Last nite from 8:00 to 9:00 PM there seemed to be heavy bombing going on about twenty miles or so away from us. We could also hear the distant rumbling of what might have been heavy artillery. So far today no rumors have come in about what it was. We will probably get them at the session this evening and expect that there will be some fantastic stories among them.
Another wave of abuses as practiced by the Japs on civilians outside has come in from various sources and as they sound very likely, I record them here.
Apparently the devils are following their cowardly methods by picking on women and old men. Many cases are reported of men and women being slapped down for not bowing to the Jap sentries. If the happen to have packages in their arms, same are torn open and the contents strewn over the street. This has happened to both Americans out on pass, and Filipinos alike.
There was a case here in camp this morning of a Chinaman who was bringing the padres some supplies; the Jap sentries at the gate took the stuff and said it could not be delivered. When he asked for a receipt from the sentry so that he could show his boss, the sentries beat him up un-mercifully then let the poor devil lay there until he could gain enough strength to walk away.
It makes my blood boil when I hear of these things and know I can do nothing about it. But every dog has his day and I'm looking forward to it "con mucho gusto." My principal concern now is in getting out of this camp right side up. Although concentration camps have never been known to be bombed, you can never tell what these devils will do. I am hoping that when our boys come in they come in a hurry and leave them no chance to do any dirty work. Most every one seems to think that when they are driven out of Manila, they will destroy the power and water supply, which is not at all unlikely, for I wouldn't put anything passed them.
This morning we had a little spark of encouragement when a plane with an entirely different sounding motor went over head, hell bent for leather, from the sound. It was flying so high in the clouds we could not see it. Most everyone ran out to see and seemed to agree that it must have been an American plane. Things like that buck up the moral and now you may even see a smile once in a while.
March 31, 1942
There has not been anything of note to write about since my last entry. The rumors go up and down, likewise the moral of the camp, but lately, or rather the past few days have been very good for our side, both locally and in Europe.
One of the men in our room returned to camp yesterday after being out on a pass for two weeks to take care of a sick wife and brings many stories of the atrocities being committed by the Japs to the Filipinos. As I feel quite sure of the authenticity, I make record of them here for future posterity.
A neighbor of this fellow was caught listening in on a short wave radio to KGEI by a Jap sentry and was taken down to headquarters for questioning. After three days he returned home, nearly dead, with the skin having been peeled off his back so that it was raw and his hands, face and feet burned by hot irons. This seems to be Japan's idea of the good neighbor policy.
Another case of which we witnessed was that of a Filipino who had been caught looting and was shot in the arm. The sentry caught him, pulled a sack over his head and hung him from a tree by the feet with his head in a bucket of water until he had drowned. They then left him laying there as a lesson to all who see.
The most common punishment for petty offenses is to strip them and tie them to a tree all day in the hot sun. It is reported that this has been done to women as well as men. Rape, is of course, a common occurrence from the age of ten and up. There are undoubtedly thousands of like cases going on every day; and then they expect the Filipinos to co-operate with them to fight against the U.S.A. While there may be a few weak kneed natives who will swing over to the other side, ninety nine percent of them are death against the Japs to the very end and from all reports that reach us, they are doing a mighty good job of it too. It is reported that one hundred and seventy five thousand Japs have been slaughtered in the Philippine campaign up to March 15th. We have heard no figures on our losses.
One of the men in our room returned to camp yesterday after being out on a pass for two weeks to take care of a sick wife and brings many stories of the atrocities being committed by the Japs to the Filipinos. As I feel quite sure of the authenticity, I make record of them here for future posterity.
A neighbor of this fellow was caught listening in on a short wave radio to KGEI by a Jap sentry and was taken down to headquarters for questioning. After three days he returned home, nearly dead, with the skin having been peeled off his back so that it was raw and his hands, face and feet burned by hot irons. This seems to be Japan's idea of the good neighbor policy.
Another case of which we witnessed was that of a Filipino who had been caught looting and was shot in the arm. The sentry caught him, pulled a sack over his head and hung him from a tree by the feet with his head in a bucket of water until he had drowned. They then left him laying there as a lesson to all who see.
The most common punishment for petty offenses is to strip them and tie them to a tree all day in the hot sun. It is reported that this has been done to women as well as men. Rape, is of course, a common occurrence from the age of ten and up. There are undoubtedly thousands of like cases going on every day; and then they expect the Filipinos to co-operate with them to fight against the U.S.A. While there may be a few weak kneed natives who will swing over to the other side, ninety nine percent of them are death against the Japs to the very end and from all reports that reach us, they are doing a mighty good job of it too. It is reported that one hundred and seventy five thousand Japs have been slaughtered in the Philippine campaign up to March 15th. We have heard no figures on our losses.
March 25, 1942
The rumors are all bad today so most everyone is "down in the dumps" and crabby as hell. This is a great life but am afraid a lot of them are weakening. Todays rumor is that our lines in Bataan suffered heavy losses and Corregidor took a terrible bombing yesterday, with the Japs loosing only four planes.
There are always Jap guards patroling the grounds with bayonets set, which is, I suppose to make an impression on us and to let us know they are the victors. They also have a machine gun mounted at the gate, the looks of which I do not particularly care for. I wonder how the Japs interned in the states are being treated. I hope they get the same treatment we get here; that is, locking them up and having them depend on friends outside to bring them food. According to international law, the Japs are supposed to feed us but they have not and if it were not for our Filipino friends we would have starved long ago.
This just about brings us up to date on things in general so from now on will try to keep it so.
I got weighed today and am 168 pounds or a loss of 27 pounds since the beginning of this mess and the last time we were together all my clothes fit like a tent and you would hardly recognize this streamline figure, of which I am quite proud. This is probably due to poor chow, no drinks and nerves, however, am feeling fine otherwise and none the worse for wear and tare.
There are always Jap guards patroling the grounds with bayonets set, which is, I suppose to make an impression on us and to let us know they are the victors. They also have a machine gun mounted at the gate, the looks of which I do not particularly care for. I wonder how the Japs interned in the states are being treated. I hope they get the same treatment we get here; that is, locking them up and having them depend on friends outside to bring them food. According to international law, the Japs are supposed to feed us but they have not and if it were not for our Filipino friends we would have starved long ago.
This just about brings us up to date on things in general so from now on will try to keep it so.
I got weighed today and am 168 pounds or a loss of 27 pounds since the beginning of this mess and the last time we were together all my clothes fit like a tent and you would hardly recognize this streamline figure, of which I am quite proud. This is probably due to poor chow, no drinks and nerves, however, am feeling fine otherwise and none the worse for wear and tare.
March 24, 1942
Several days have passed since my last entry, during which time I have been keeping busy around camp, digging ditches and the like, trying to keep out of trouble. Apparently there is no change in our military position for we are still here and there continues considerable air activity, all Jap.
There is some talk about the exchange of diplomats and civilians between Japan and the U.S. but so far nothing definite. Midway or Wake Island was named as the trading post, either of which would suit me fine for I feel I could almost walk home from there, knowing I would be seeing you at the end of the trip.
Mosquitoes have always been a damned nuisance in the tropics but it seems that they have all congregated right here at this camp for some sort of a convention. This is all filled in ground of old garbage and what-not, which does not help out the situation. We are allowed to sit out in front of the building until 11:00 PM but if there is no breeze, the mosquitoes will eat you alive, so we usually retire early, under the net, to get away from them. The curfew hour is 7:45 PM when everyone must go to their respective rooms and report in, so that they can check up that no one has escaped during the day.
I have met several young fellows in here that I did not know before, who are pretty good scouts. We usually have a little rummy game every night to kill the long evenings and talk about the "binge" we are going on as soon as we get out of this dump. It has been more than ten weeks since I've had a drink so you can imagine that I am rather dry and in a bad way. There will probably be plenty of excitement in town after we get out of here and for some time to come, so it is well that I am writing this now, for all this camp life will soon fade out of ones memory and it would be a job to write even one page about it after it's all over.
Rumors still persist that we have had all sorts of reinforcements out this way but I doubt it, for I have yet to see any of our ships flying over. About 75 Jap planes just flew over camp in the direction of Bataan, which looks like our lines are in for a heavy attack. Every time I see those son-of-a-guns flying over with no opposition and realize that we are at their mercy, it is enough to drive one "screwey." And as long as we see those devils flying above us, we know it will be some time yet before we get out of here. Personally, I doubt if we will be out before the first of June, if then.
There is some talk about the exchange of diplomats and civilians between Japan and the U.S. but so far nothing definite. Midway or Wake Island was named as the trading post, either of which would suit me fine for I feel I could almost walk home from there, knowing I would be seeing you at the end of the trip.
Mosquitoes have always been a damned nuisance in the tropics but it seems that they have all congregated right here at this camp for some sort of a convention. This is all filled in ground of old garbage and what-not, which does not help out the situation. We are allowed to sit out in front of the building until 11:00 PM but if there is no breeze, the mosquitoes will eat you alive, so we usually retire early, under the net, to get away from them. The curfew hour is 7:45 PM when everyone must go to their respective rooms and report in, so that they can check up that no one has escaped during the day.
I have met several young fellows in here that I did not know before, who are pretty good scouts. We usually have a little rummy game every night to kill the long evenings and talk about the "binge" we are going on as soon as we get out of this dump. It has been more than ten weeks since I've had a drink so you can imagine that I am rather dry and in a bad way. There will probably be plenty of excitement in town after we get out of here and for some time to come, so it is well that I am writing this now, for all this camp life will soon fade out of ones memory and it would be a job to write even one page about it after it's all over.
Rumors still persist that we have had all sorts of reinforcements out this way but I doubt it, for I have yet to see any of our ships flying over. About 75 Jap planes just flew over camp in the direction of Bataan, which looks like our lines are in for a heavy attack. Every time I see those son-of-a-guns flying over with no opposition and realize that we are at their mercy, it is enough to drive one "screwey." And as long as we see those devils flying above us, we know it will be some time yet before we get out of here. Personally, I doubt if we will be out before the first of June, if then.
March 19, 1942
Not much new or startling today although rumor has it that our big offensive is on and of course we are all hoping to get out of here soon. There has been considerable air activity lately which to me is a good sign that there is really something stirring and the Japs are having something to worry about. Things have been very quiet up to the past few days but now it seems that there are always planes droning over head. And that's no rumor!
You probably wonder why I use the word "rumor" so often, and you will hear a lot more before this is finished, so had better clarify the situation. Incidently we just live on rumors; when they are good, every one is feeling fine and when they are bad, every one is crabby as hell and ready to scrap at the drop of a hat. We are not permitted to contact anyone on the outside, have no radios in here and the only bit of news we are supposed to be getting is a daily Japanese propaganda sheet that is so poorly written it is almost comical. However, by some hook or crook we do get in information which is most always reported to have been heard over station KGEI, San Francisco, or the British Broadcasting, London. When anyone inside here gets in a transcript of these broadcasts, it circulates around from mouth to mouth and by the time it passes through three or four, you would never recognize it as the same story. When news is scarce, I believe a lot of the rumors are originated right here, with absolutely no grounds what-ever. Everyone is hungry for news and just eat up these rumors, hook, line and sinker, no matter how wild they may be. They seem to make one feel good and keep the moral up with no particular harm done, so guess it is all for the best. If I ever get this caught up to date I intend keeping a record of all these rumors that come in and maybe some day check up on them and see how many, if any, have any truth in them. Just something to kill time and test our bamboo telegraph system.
Conditions became so crowded at the gymnasium as they brought in more and more men from the provinces, we were moved in to the Catholic sisters home where we have a little more room and much better toilet facilities. In here there are only twenty to a room and ventilation greatly improved. We have had to build make-shift showers and washing trays outside the building otherwise this is not a bad set-up at all for a concentration camp. I have talked to refugees from European concentration camps and compared to them, we are really doing quite well. However, I am getting fed up with this life and things can not happen any too soon to suit me.
This is supposed to be the hot season although it has been quite comfortable. We have built ourselves a shanty out on the so-called campus, made from the scraps of everything we could find and this is home for eight of us, at present. With everyones nerves more or less on edge, it is not a very agreeable household, so I spend most of the time keeping clear of arguments by reading, writing and working around camp, only going to the shanty for our noon day meal. While a great many of the people have to get along on what is put out on the bread line alone, we are still getting in supplies and manage to have at least one good meal a day.
You probably wonder why I use the word "rumor" so often, and you will hear a lot more before this is finished, so had better clarify the situation. Incidently we just live on rumors; when they are good, every one is feeling fine and when they are bad, every one is crabby as hell and ready to scrap at the drop of a hat. We are not permitted to contact anyone on the outside, have no radios in here and the only bit of news we are supposed to be getting is a daily Japanese propaganda sheet that is so poorly written it is almost comical. However, by some hook or crook we do get in information which is most always reported to have been heard over station KGEI, San Francisco, or the British Broadcasting, London. When anyone inside here gets in a transcript of these broadcasts, it circulates around from mouth to mouth and by the time it passes through three or four, you would never recognize it as the same story. When news is scarce, I believe a lot of the rumors are originated right here, with absolutely no grounds what-ever. Everyone is hungry for news and just eat up these rumors, hook, line and sinker, no matter how wild they may be. They seem to make one feel good and keep the moral up with no particular harm done, so guess it is all for the best. If I ever get this caught up to date I intend keeping a record of all these rumors that come in and maybe some day check up on them and see how many, if any, have any truth in them. Just something to kill time and test our bamboo telegraph system.
Conditions became so crowded at the gymnasium as they brought in more and more men from the provinces, we were moved in to the Catholic sisters home where we have a little more room and much better toilet facilities. In here there are only twenty to a room and ventilation greatly improved. We have had to build make-shift showers and washing trays outside the building otherwise this is not a bad set-up at all for a concentration camp. I have talked to refugees from European concentration camps and compared to them, we are really doing quite well. However, I am getting fed up with this life and things can not happen any too soon to suit me.
This is supposed to be the hot season although it has been quite comfortable. We have built ourselves a shanty out on the so-called campus, made from the scraps of everything we could find and this is home for eight of us, at present. With everyones nerves more or less on edge, it is not a very agreeable household, so I spend most of the time keeping clear of arguments by reading, writing and working around camp, only going to the shanty for our noon day meal. While a great many of the people have to get along on what is put out on the bread line alone, we are still getting in supplies and manage to have at least one good meal a day.
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