ORDER TO FILIPINOS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1942, Page 4

ORDER TO FILIPINOS

SURRENDER OF ALL ARMS INCLUDING KNIVES USED i AS TOOLS. INDICATION OF JAPANESE FEARS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, March 6. A Washington communique states that a copy of an order issued by the Japanese army in the Philippines, which has reached General MacArthur’s headquarters directs Filipinos in occupied areas to surrender guns and blade weapons of every description, including ornamental knives and trophies. This order will deprive the Filipino of his bolo, which, while sometimes used as a weapon, customarily serves as a tool. If the Filipino surrenders his bolo. he will find it difficult td earn a livelihood. The order is interpreted by General MacArthur as indicating that the invaders fear the increasing resentment of the natives, which may develop into a popular uprising against the Japanese. BIG AIR BATTLE REPORTED BY PARIS RADIO. OVER ISLANDS SOUTH OF HONG KONG. LONDON, March 6. The Paris radio reports that a big air battle is proceding over the Ladrone Islands (a Japanese mandated group about 40 miles south of Hong Kong). TERRIBLE LOSSES INFLICTED ON JAPANESE IN BURMA. I SUCCESS OF BRITISH TANKS A.ND INFANTRY. MANDALAY, March 6. It is officially announced that British tanks and supporting infantry, north-east of Pegu, inflicted terrible losses on the Japanese during a sanguinary battle for the Rangoon-Lashio railway.