Evening star., 1941-12-23
Philippine Ordeal

Philippine Ordeal
When the keen eyes Of a dawn
patrol sighted vast armada of the
west coast of Luzon Island heading
for the Lingayen Gulf, the word was
flashed back to Manila that the an
ticipated major Japanese blow was
about to be struck, and the American
and Filipino forces girded themselves
for the supreme struggle.
The Gulf Of Lingayen is the
natural landing point for an invading
expedition. Its deep waters, which
enable large ships to come close in
shore, are girt by wide sand beaches,
backed by level open country which
runs almost due south in a broad
valley to the vicinity Of Manila, the
Philippine capital and the strategic
center Of American power in the
archipelago. '
This invasion did not find the de-
tenders unready. More than
week ago, Japanese troops attempted
a surprise landing and promptly were
wiped out. That, however, may have
been only q accommodating force to
test the strength and preparedness
Of the defense. The present attack
is an "all-out" affair, made by a
powerful army transported in 80
troopships and numbering between
10000 and 100000 men. Heavily con-
voyed by warships and with
veritable umbrella of airplanes, the
Japanese invaders are landing at
several points in hundreds Of large
powered barges. Despite heavy losses,
they seem to have gained footholds
and have landed tanks and artillery.
Ferocious fighting is going on, but
at this writing nothing more can be
said as to the outcome. 1t is to be
presumed that the Japanese will
push their landings regardless Of
losses. Judging by their conduct in
Malaga, Japans f1rst-line troops,
especially trained in tropical jungle
warfare, are formidable antagonists.
The japanese already have estab-
lished themselves at two isolated
points in Northern Luzon, chiefly to
get air bases. A similar foothold
has been established on the extreme
southern tip Of the island, and four
days ago a landing in greater force
was made far to the south at Davao,
Mindanao Island. None Of these
footholds can have much immediate
effect on the fortunes Of the Lin
gayen battle, except for aircraft.
General Macarthur, our commander
in chief, evidently has refused to
disperse his forces unduly and has
kept the bulk of them ready for
action at the decisive point. which is
the Manila-Lingayen region-a dis
ance Of about 120 miles.
While the precise strength Of the
defenders is a military secret, there
Is supposed to be q substantial
number of American troops in the
islands, not including naval person.
mel. The veteran native force known
as the Philippine Scouts numbers
nearly 10000 These long-service
professional soldiers under American
officers should be distinguished from
the Filipino Army which the native
commonwealth government began to
raise in 1885 under the guidance Of
an American military mission headed
by General Macarthur. Ever since
then, 10000 men have been in train
ing with the colors, the term of serv-
ice being approximately six months.
This has built up a large reserve,
though the short term of service
leaves much to be desired. The chief
handicap to prolonged resistance
probably is lack of munitions and
equipment for warfare on . large
scale. However, there can be little
doubt that the defense will be stout
and skillfully conducted, and that
the invaders will pay a high price for
whatever gains they may make.
Japan's major descent on the
Philippines logically was timed to
occur after the campaign against
Singapore had got we'll under way,
after Hong Kong virtually had been
captured, and after footholds had
been established in many places
through this vast Southwestern Pa
cif1c area. Manila ranks next to
Singapore as the twin key to the en-
tire region. The japanese are thus
! playing for . big stake.