Evening star., 1941-12-23

headquarters at am. (6 pm, E. 8.
T.. Monday said that according to
reports available then the islands
defenders were holding a position
north of Damortis. Earlier, head
quarters had described the situation
there as well in hand"
The main japanese landing ap-
parently was effected in the vicinity
of Santo Tomas, where the heaviest
fighting was reported yesterday.
Three Reported Sunk.
Unconfirmed reports said three Of
the 80 japanese transports had been
sunk in the Gulf of Lingayen dur
ing landing operations, and reliable
sources said it was possible many
more had been destroyed.
1t still was not clear here whether
the Japanese had attempted to un-
load all their transports in the Lin
gayen gulf sector. 1t likewise was
uncertain whether the japanese had
been able to land any equipment to
cope with the mechanical forces
the defenders were said to be throw
Ing against them.
(The War Department, report
ing intense fighting with the
Japanese invaders along the west
coast of Luzon about $50 miles
north of Manila, said last night
that American and Philippine
troops were using tanks and
artillery against one thrust to-
ward the capital)
Uneventful Alarms at Manila.
Manila itself was quiet during the
morning except for an uneventful
afraid alarm at 1925 am. (8:25
pm, E. S. T., Monday which lasted
Is minutes.
Army officials later said two waves
of japanese planes had been sighted
heading toward the city from the
south. Their failure to reach Ma
nila was taken as an indication that
they had been intercepted by Amer
lean fighters and driven off.
Manila had a second alarm at 2:3l
pm. 12:31 am, E. S. t., but again
hostile planes failed to appear over
the city and the all clear was sounded
after 20 minutes.
The double failure of the japanese
to carry out their usual daily at
tacks heartened Manila residents,
who felt that the vigilance Of the
American air force was responsible.
American pilots have been pre-
dieting that japanese airmen trying
to attack targets on Luzon would
find the going increasingly tough.
Just watch us shortly" said one
American flyer few days ago.
These japanese have been coming
in in perfect formation, but we in
tend to break them up and give
them more than they can take"
Little News From Southern Luzon.
News of the situation in Southern
Luzon, where the Japanese effected
a landing last week at Legaspi, $50
miles from Manila was limited to an
official announcement that eight
japanese planes had been shot down
in air engagements during the last
few days.
Maj. Emmett O'Donnell, jr., whose
home is in New York City, was
credited with shooting down four
planes, while 1t Jack Adams of
Anadarko, Okla, and his crew were
credited with three. A Filipino pilot,
1t. Jose Kare, accounted for the
eighth enemy plane.
The Philippine commonwealth,
meanwhile, took additional measures
to perfect its wartime organization
on long-range basis.
The Government designated pro-
vincial treasurers throughout the
archipelago as deputy emergency
control officials with authority tc
commander essential foodstuffs
fuel, building materials and other
supplies to prevent boarding anc
profteering. District school super.
intendents were designated to heae
local anti-profiteering committees
Communicated goods will be in.
ventoried and sold directly to thu
public.
President Manuel Quezon ordered
immediate extension of relief facili.
ties to care for Manila's S poorer fam.
lilies, and arranged for distribution
of Christmas presents to the desti
tute from personal funds.
At the same time he directed tina
strict measures be taken to guart
against looting in bombed or evac
uated districts.
Philippine Army headquarters or
dered all Reserve officers in the in
fantry, artillery and engineers no
already called up to report for i'm
mediate field training. They vii
be utilized later as instructors TO
thousands of Filipino volunteers VIII
are f1ocking to the colors.
The secretary of public instruc