Filipinos cry: ‘Burn Tokyo’
By Rodolfo Nazarino, United Press staff writer
The following dispatch was written by a veteran Filipino member of the United Press staff in Manila whose home was among those burned by the Japs.
MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 6, delayed) – Widespread fires touched off by the cornered Japs in a final orgy of destruction left thousands homeless in Manila today.
The joy of liberation for Filipinos after three years under the Jap heel remained undimmed by this final catastrophe, however. Even as refugees left their burning homes with bundles and domestic animals, they cheered advancing American troops.
Cries of “Burn Tokyo!” were raised.
The largest fire started in the Escolta business district and swept northward, occasionally branching out to the east and west as the wind changed.
Stores, offices and residences on more than 20 streets were destroyed. Frequent explosions were heard as the flames reached dynamite or time bombs planted by the Japs.
Few persons were believed injured, however, because the fire began in daylight.
Refugees crowded into the American-held northern part of Manila, creating a major relief problem. Food was scarce.
Reliable reports said the Japs arrested officers of the Manila Fire Department to prevent them from putting out the fires.