IN THE PHILIPPINES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1942, Page 4

IN THE PHILIPPINES

THE REPORTED SUICIDE OF GENERAL HOMMA APPARENTLY AUTHENTICATED REPORTS. I GENERAL MACARTHUR SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, March 8. A Washington communique states: "An infantry regiment moving to the front north of Abucay, in the Batan region, suffered heavy casualties as a result of a surprise attack by our artillery from hidden positions. The regiment, evidently intended to supply reinforcements for the Japanese line, was moving to the front in 90 trucks. Its estimated strength vzas 2,500 inen. Twenty-nine trucks, with most of their occupants, were destroyed. “From various sources hitherto regarded as reliable, General MacArthur has received reports that LieutenantGeneral Homma, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in the Philippines, committed hara-kiri. According to these reports, which lack complete verification, the Japanese generals suicide was motivated by the fa .i that his numerically superior forces nad been unable to destroy the American and Philippine defenders of Batan and Corregidor. Funeral rites are reported do have been held on February 26, at Manila, and to have been attended by personal representatives of the Emperor, after which Lieutenant-General Homma’s ashes were flown .to Japan for interment in an appropriate shrine. “An interesting and ironical detail of the story is that the suicide and funeral rites occurred at the suite of a Manila hotel which was occupied by General MacArthur before the evacuation of Manila. General MacArthur advises that he is continuing his efforts to secure further evidence of the truth or falsity of these reports. Abucay is 25 miles from the tip of the Batan Peninsula.