FIRM ASSURANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 February 1942, Page 3

FIRM ASSURANCE

OFFERED TO PEOPLE OF MALAYA FREEDOM WILL BE RESTORED. COLONIAL SECRETARY’S MESSAGE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 12. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Moyne, in a broadcast said: “I want to send this message to the people of Malaya—the men, women and children of many races, Malayans, Chinese and British from all parts of the Empire—in this hour of stern ordeal. “Be assured that you are constantly in our thoughts. Whether you serve in the armed forces or civil defence, whether you are fighting the flames or helping the wounded, all the world is watching your courage and endurance. “The savage attack has shattered the peace which you enjoyed for many generations and has destroyed the fruits of your industry. The struggle is bitter. But there is ranged on our side the whole might of the British Empire, her powerful allies. Such struggles must end in final victory. “In spite of the grave reverses, we shall break the enemy’s power and restore your freedom of life.” SAVAGE OUTRAGES FILIPINOS MALTREATED & MURDERED. BY JAPANESE IN MANILA. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 12. The Japanese efforts to win the friendship of the Filipinos are failing miserably in the face of widespread hunger and mistreatment of the people. A dispatch to the Associated Press of America from the Batan Peninsula says that at least 10 and possibly 20 Filipinos have been executed. Filipinos who were formerly employed by the American Army and Navy are left roped to telephone poles along the main streets in Manila for three days and nights, virtually without food, and kicked and otherwise mistreated by the Japanese sentries. If at the end of this period the Filipinos are adjudged guilty they are executed: otherwise they are released. Two high officials of the Philippine Supreme Court, Judge Arsenio Locson and Judge Gregorio Narvase, were trussed publicly in the foregoing fashion, and released after several hours, when the Japanese apologised for a mistake. One Filipino who helped the Japanese to find 5000 gallons of gasoline was rewarded publicly, but later was shot because he failed to locate additional supplies.