Jap communications in Burma battered
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Water bottles used as lung exercisers
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Simms: Another sneak pulled by Japs – it’s political
‘Declaration of independence’ for Philippines is cited
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
The Japs have pulled another sneak punch on the United States, only this time it is political instead of military.
On Wednesday, Tokyo proclaimed “the declaration of independence of the Philippine Republic” and announced the inauguration of José P. Laurel, a stooge of long standing, as its first president.
This move can hardly fail to be effective propaganda. For that, of course, is what it is, and all it is. The Philippines will be no more independent under the Japs than Manchukuo, or Burma or the East Indies, but the gesture is bound to fool a lot of Orientals.
The Filipinos are perfectly aware that the United States has already given them their independence. They know that on July 4, 1946, the American flag is to come down and the flag of the Philippine Republic is to go up. Meanwhile, they know that the Philippines for years enjoyed “complete and respected nationhood,” as President Roosevelt expressed it, and that President Manuel Quezon is their freely-elected chief executive.
Situation changed
Nevertheless, the situation in the islands has changed since Bataan. The Japs are masters. They have control of press and radio and are taking full advantage of their opportunity. They are telling the Filipinos that the Americans have been lying, that President Quezon has been fooling them, that the promise of independence is just a swindle. The Japs are their real friends, so the people are told, and to prove it, Tokyo sets them “free” at once.
To offset the effect of the Jap gesture, the President and other high officials here feel that there is but one adequate thing the United States can do. That is to advance the date of Philippine independence and make it effective immediately. Legislation has been introduced in Congress and the President has requested the early action on it.
Unfortunately, even that can only partly undo the damage. The Japs can, and undoubtedly will, smother the Filipinos, with further propaganda claiming they forced our hand and that our grant of freedom will now be snatched back if we win the war.
Separation complete
Nevertheless, opinion here seems overwhelmingly in favor of advancing the date of full nationhood. De facto, the islands are already free. The granting of de jure independence would seem to make no material difference. Separation is now complete anyway. Only the ties of long friendship remain and these will be consecrated when America drives the invaders out of the islands.
Meanwhile, the Japs are posing as the “liberators” of all the brown and yellow races. In India, according to reports received here, they are even making use of the famine conditions now prevalent in certain areas. They have sent out messages telling the Indians that they are prepared to send in shiploads of rice within 72 hours – the time it takes for vessels to steam from Rangoon to Calcutta – if only the Allies will guarantee safe conduct. The same report says they have dropped bags of rice from planes. The Japs seem to have a better understanding of foreign psychology than their Teutonic pals.
Quezon: ‘I will come back’
Washington (UP) –
President Manuel Quezon of the Philippines promised his people today that he will return to the islands “with Gen. MacArthur.”
In a message broadcast to the Filipinos soon after the Japs granted them “independence” under a puppet government, Señor Quezon said:
The terms of the alliance as announced by Tokyo clearly show the real purpose behind the granting by Japan of a so-called Philippine independence namely, to use the Philippines politically, economically and militarily for the successful prosecution of the war of Greater East Asia.
He reminded his people that “we are bound to America by the ties of loyalty and gratitude” and called upon them to “fight on the side of the liberation forces” when the day of liberation arrives.
U.S. nationals await arrival of Gripsholm
More than 1,200 once held by Japs are now in Portuguese India
By John R. Morris, United Press staff writer
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Editorial: Allies and enemies
The world surely moves fast.
It isn’t long, for instance, since everybody was saying, “Well, the streetcar is a thing of the past, like the horsecar.” And some cities kicked them out and went entirely to buses.
And who would have thought, a couple of years back, that in this land of milk and honey it would be next to impossible to get a quarter-pound of butter, or a good steak? Or that a people with two chickens in every pot and two cars in every garage would be skimping on ration points and hoofing it to work? Or that a country in which every labor union was forcing “featherbed” rules on business to spread the work in so short a time would be wondering where the hell to find an office boy?
We have been brought up sharp on these points by our favorite heckler. He says the way the war keeps changing we should run a Page One box every day listing our allies and our enemies, just to keep everyone posted, as we do in the daily Ration Guide.
He says:
As an old contributor to the Finnish Relief Fund, and later a bitter foe of the Finns and as a citizen who at once time knew that all Russians were incorrigibles in cahoots with Hitler and is now convinced they are the salvation of Europe. I believe this would render an invaluable service.
A few weeks ago, we were instructed to kick all Italians in the pants; now they are our friends.
Well, pal, that’s history. And it just goes to show that we never can take anything for granted.
Stalin sees Nelson
London, England –
Donald M. Nelson, chairman of the U.S. War Production Board, was received yesterday by Premier Marshal Joseph Stalin, Radio Moscow said today.
Maj. de Seversky: Long-range fighters to convoy bombers finally have won official recognition
By Maj. Alexander P. de Seversky
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Poll: Many in nation doubt scarcity in labor ranks
Public found unconvinced on war plant needs for manpower
By George Gallup, Director, American Institute of Public Opinion
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Völkischer Beobachter (October 17, 1943)
Unter dem Eindruck der Bomberverluste bei Schweinfurt –
Roosevelt-Lügen sollen die Schockwirkung abschwächen
‚61 Bomber können wir uns nicht jeden Tag leisten‘ – aber sie verloren mindestens das Doppelte
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Ok? What were the americans thinking of the Nazis till now? Is it me or is this title is very stupid?
Hey, it is that communist whose focus tree is better than the normal democratic way. Shame the U.S.A didn’t choose that focus tree. 
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