Evening star., 1941-12-21
Situation Obscure
After Jap Landing
In Philippines
BY the Associated Press.


MANILA, Sunday, Dec. 81.
Gen. Douglas MacArthurs head
quarters announced today that Que
to communication difficulties the
situation at Davao, where the JAP
anese landed yesterday, was obscure
tThe Toxic official radio re-
ported Japanese troops were driv-
ing inland on Mindanao Island)
Presumably the japanese came
ashore in fairly substantial forces at
this predominantly Japanese-popu-
lated center. Informed sources here
believed the Davao campaign may
develop into the most important
land battle yet in the Philippine
Archipelago.
Gen. MacArthur's headquarters
announced yesterday afternoon that
heavy fighting was under way with
ground defense forces, long pre-
pared for just such an attempt
opposing the invaders. Doubtless
these forces were strongly supported
by American planes.
Heretofore initial japanese land
ings have been unopposed by ground
troops, except at Lingayen. north
west of Manila on Luzon Island,
where the Nipponese were pushed
back into the sea last week.
Defenders Well Prepared.
The island defenders were Just
as well prepared to meet the Japa-
nese at Davao, 900 miles by land and
sea from Manila, as they were at
Lingayen. In addition, fierce. knife
welding Moros who inhabit Min
danao by the thousands are ex-
pected to aid the regular military
forces.
In their three other landings, the
Japanese gained beach heads at
Aparri. on the northern shores of
Luzon; at Vigan, on the northwest
coast. and at Legaspi, southeast of
Manila. and these forces are under
ceaseless aerial harassment. How
ever. they were reported increasing
their, patrol activity.
The Americans have taken a
heavy toll of japanese ships. planes
and men, but have made no con-
certed effort so far to drive these
invaders out by land assault. The
reason, it is pointed out, is because
these three footholds are remote
and lack major strategic importance
But at Davao 1t appeared a de-
termined fight was shaping up for
that point commanding a shortcut
sea route to Borneo on the
southeast.
The japanese at Davao appar-
emily have in mind an attempt to
release interned Japanese civil
ians," thousands of whom are be-
ieved ready to fight at their side
Immediately after the outbreak OF
war with Japan, some 1900 Jap
anese of military age were rounded
up there.
The invaders swarmed ashore
from four transports of the south
ernmost of the larger islands at
dawn yesterday. a bulletin from
Gen. Macarthur headquarters an
nounced. They were reported to
have been engaged almost immedi-
ately by defense forces.
Raid on Manila Light.
The Japanese population at Da-
vac has been placed as high as
25,OO0. In May, 1910, President
Manuel Quezon signed a new i'm
migration bill, limiting japanese
immigration into the islands to SOC
annually. The japanese, who es-
tinated Japanese immigration into
the islands at 5000 a year, sharply
protested.
The Japanese are reported to own
more than so per cent of the arabic
land at Davao, and similar percent
ages of other industries.
Japanese bombers again swarmed
over Manila soon after noon yes
terday, but most Of their explosives
aimed at Nichols Air Field fell wide
Of their mark into Manila Bay. and
the Army described the attack as
a light one. Although other bomb
ers few toward Cavite navy base
no attack was reported there.