Evening star., 1941-12-15

The situation In general in the
Philippines, which Gen. Macarthur s
headquarters said yesterday was
well in hand both on the ground
and in the air." was described off,
cially this morning as unchanged.
Unofficial reports said japanese
forces established around Vigan, on
the LuZon west coast 200 miles north
of Manila, had sent out patrols dur
ing the week end in an attempt
to widen their foothold.
There was no mention, however,
of further fighting at Lingayen, 100
miles northwest of Manila, where
Gen. Macarthur said yesterday a
Philippine Army division had
smashed a japanese landing force,
nor at Aparri in northernmost Lu-
zon, where the Japanese also have
landed troops.
Aparri Area Bombed.
American warplanes, however,
we're said to have made several at
tacks on the Aparri area to thwart
Japanese attempts to establish an
air base there.
There was no indication that the
Japanese actually had been able to
land more troops at Legaspi. Up to
yesterday, Army headquarters said,
only q limited number of men had
been put ashore there and these
were reported under sharp attack
from the air.
japanese aerial activity over Luzon
this morning was said to have been
limited to a few sporadic raids.
At least 40 Japanese planes were
officially reported shot down over
the Philippines last week, during
which the islands were the target
of IA major attacks.
Army quarters firmly reiterated
that thus far the Japanese had
not landed any parachute troops in
the Philippines. Unor1icial reports
to the contrary have been found to
be false, these quarters said.
Manila Grimly Determined.
Manila itself, which had two brief
AFRAID alarms yesterday morning,
appeared to be adapting itself rap
| AOAy W wal tllllC COliQlllOlLS.
The undeniable tension and the
sense of unreality which followed
the first unexpected Japanese as
sault appeared to be giving place to
a grim determination to make the
best of things.
The Philippine National Assembly,
in session during the noon air raid,
went to sheltered basement where
it approved q state of total emer-
gency, authorized President Quezon
to effect it and amended previous
resolution of support to the United
States to include as enemies Ger
many and Italy.
Business still is going on here
much as usual, although several
hundred American women and chill
dren have been moved out of the
city to places of greater safety.
All newspapers are publishing
daily, though the number of pages
in each edition has been reduced
Places of amusement are closed al
night, except for the ballroom oI
one hotel where dancing for guests
still goes on.
Thus far there has been no foot
shortage. Prices are rising, however
despite government efforts at con-
troll, and there is some difficulty II
obtaining gasoline tor civilian pur'
poses.
President Quezon today issued ar
executive order prohibiting boarding
and calling for stricter enforcement
of all anti-proflteering laws.
Authorities, meanwhile, raided 8
large house at the edge of down
town Manila and captured a mum.
ber of Japanese men and womer
who were hiding to escape intern
ment. All the men were armed.
, In an unceasing drive agains
fifth columnists, customs agent
seized two japanese who, they said
were found in possession of home
made bombs and dozens OF maps.
The japanese radio continues tt
direct steady barrage of propagan
da against the Filipinos, urginl
them to lay down their arms, bu
? it has had no noticeable effect ant
the Manila radio has not even at
;.-. &hn Irno Iao