Evening star., 1942-01-30
Gen. Macarthur
Ignores Demand
For Surrender.
Leaflets Dropped
Urging FiIipinos to
Give Up Bottle
Earlier Story on Page Ally

A War Department commune
que reported today that Gen.
Douglas Macarthur and the loyal
Filipinos under him had spurned
a Japanese offer to stop fghting
on the Batan front and surren-
der to avoid further needless
bloodShed.
Propaganda leaflets signed by 1t.
Gen. Masaharu Homma, commander
in chief of the Japanese expedi-
tionary forces, were dropped over
the stoutly resisting American lines
on January 10 and again today. An
additional message to the Filipino
soldiers, it was reported, appealed
to them to surrender and build up
a new Philippines. It added that
Gen. Macarthur has stupidity re-
fused our proposal"
Gen. Douglas Macarthur and his
troops, the communique said, ig-
nored this message Of the enemy
which reminded them that their
prestige and honor" had been up
held.
Appeal to Filipinos.
The first messages were dropped
over the lines on January 10 and
now japanese planes are redistrib-
uting this leaflet, on the back OF
which was added an appeal to Fill
pino soldiers to surrender before
it is too late" This new appeal also
was signed by Gen. HCmma.
Surrender at once and build your
new Philippines for and by Fill
pinos," the message concluded.
This appeal. the American COM
mander reported, occasioned much
mirth" among his Filipino soldiers,
who are continuing their resistance
with loyalty. courage and resolu-
ton.
Reporting on Information received
from the commanding general Of
the Hawaiian Department. the com
munique reported that $50 Of the
total number Of 418 wounded in the
Japanese attack Of December Z have
fully recovered. These $50 men are
now again on active duty.
Proposed Truce Negotiations.
The initial leaflets dropped on
January 10 called on the American
LIST and 31st Divisions and remnants
of other divisions to surrender in
order to avoid needless bloodshed."
Failure to do so, Gen. Homma
warned, would cause the Japanese
to continue their offensive
The Japanese commander pro-
posed a cessation Of firing during
negotiations Of An armistice.
The text Of the communique said:
Il. Philippine Theater:
"On January 10, 1912. Japanese
airplanes dropped leaflets over our
lines in the Philippines bearing the
following message:
ITO Gen. Douglas Macarthur,
commander-in-chief. United States
Army forces in the Far East.
"'Sir:
"'You are well aware that you are
doomed. The end is near. The
question is how long will you be
able to resist. You have already
cut rations by half. I appreciate
the fighting spirit of yourself and
your troops who have been fighting
with courage. Your prestige and
honor have been upheld.
Will Continue Drive.
However, in order to avoid need
less bloodshed and to save your 1st,
31st Divisions, and the remnants Of
other divisions together with your
auxiliary troops, you are advised to
surrender. In the meantime we shall
continue our offensive rs do not
wish to give you time for defense. II
you decide to comply with our ad-
vice send q mission as soon as pos
sible to our front line. We shall
then cease firing and negotiate an
armistice. Failing that our Often
sive will be continued with inexor-
able force which will bring upon you
only disaster.
Hoping your wise counsel will so
prevail that you will save the lives of
your troops. I remain,
"'Yours very sincerely,
Commander in Chief, the Japa-
nese Expeditionary Forces
Gen. Macarthur and his troops
paid no attention to the message.
(See MACARTHUR. Page 2-x0