Evening star., 1942-01-15
Jap Penalties Stress
Aid Fifth Co!ulhnists !
Are Giving Macarthur
Filipino Resistance to
Invaders Munifests Self
In Muny Other Ways

Invaders Munifests Self
In Mony Other Ways
Ey the Associated Press. ~
Japans resort to a ruthless firing
squad rule, for the conquered areas
of the Philippines gave Washington
pointed Evidence today that . nth
column ,cfs Filipino patriots Is at
work forSGen. Douglas Macarthur
behind the invaders lines.
Gen. MacArthur's communiques
for some days past have shown
that he was able to obtain prompt
information on what was happening
in enemy-held territory, but it re-
manned for Toxic to acknowledge
the effectiveness Of this undercover
intelligence service by invoking the
death penalty.
Advance knowledge Of enemy
movements and dispositions. 1t was
pointed out here. would be Of in
calculable value to Gen. Mac
Arthur's army in its last stand on
/ the rugged Batan Peninsula. north
west of Manila, and would pro-
long its ability to hold out.
For its immediate and future
value, q persevering Filipino fifth
column sized up more important
here in long-term war consideration
than the appearance of a hostile
submarine raider in Atlantic coastal
waters. ~
Little Surprise Is Felt.
The underseas foray, presumably
by a Maxi ,U-boat, occasioned little
surprise in oficial circles here, for
such raids have been more or less
expected. It was generally regarded
as an attempt to give Japan re-
assuring gesture of Axis support.
The possibility was recognized,
however, that 1t might presage a
concerted Axis underseas campaign
to achieve the same objectives o.
boats had in World War Ito dis
rupt Atlantic shipping and to force
the Navy to divert units from more
important duties to strictly defen-
sive patrol work. The World War
campaign. 1t was recalled, failed
utterly.
Psychologically, officials said, the
raid probably would serve q good
If unintended-purpose by bringing
home to the Nation the grim fact
that it is fighting a life-or-death
war on two fronts. The sooner the.
country fully realizes that, they feel,
the sooner the war effort will as
sumo a heart -and-s intensity.
Defenders Waiting.
In seeking to appraise the extent
of Filipino f1fth-column activity, the
Capital noted that every time the
Japanese have attacked since Gen.
Macarthur fell back on the Batan
Peninsula they have found them
selves without the advantage Of sur
prise.
Instead, American and Filipino
troops have been waiting to meet
them-"in previously prepared posi-
tions," as the War Department dis
closes dryly.
The Filipino resistance to Japan's
new order apparently is manifest
ing itself in other covert and open
ways to Judge by the lengthy list of
death-penalty "acts detrimental to
the security Of the Japanese armed
forces"
Both the ofiicial Toxic radio and
copy OF the enemy regulations
obtained by Gen. Macarthur indi-
cate that Japan, the great imitator,
was copying the harsh, repressive
methods which the Nazis have ap-
piled so unsparingly in the occupied
countries of Europe
There was even provision for the
familiar hostage technique, which
| the British have dubbed 1.-The crime
without q name" The War De-
partment reported last night that
the Japanese had warned all resi-
dents Of the islands that any one
injuring or attempting to injure
an enemy soldier or civilian would
be shot at once. II he cannot found,
10 hostages will be taken into GUS
tody.
Among the things punishable by
death are: Disturbing the peace"
violation Of military orders. es-
pionage, concealment of requisi-
toned goods and even the circula-
ton of rumors concerning the Japa-
nese forces.
The War Department announce
ment recalled that in the early days
of the invasion the Japanese pro-
claimed themselves to be the
''liberators" and "saviors," come to
rescue" the Filipinos from Ameri-
can oppression" Evidently, the
role was either temporary or un-
convincing, for the invader has
substituted q harsher attitude to-
ward the conquered.
Filipino fifth columnists, ofdcials
here said. could make considerable
contribution to Japan's ultimate
defeat. not only by supplying mill
tary information to United States
forces, but also by systematic sabo-
tage, retarding food and mineral
production, other methods of passive
resistance, and by waging guerrilla
warfare from the jungles and hills.
Such tactics would force the enemy
to keep a substantial garrison in
the islands and thus reduce his
military strength available for other
fronts.
Another topic of keen interest was
the feat of Admiral Thomas c. Hart
in extricating the entire Asiatic
Fleet intact from a perilous situa-
ton in waters where the enemy
had an Overwhelming margin Of
superiority.
It was learned last night that
not only was the whole combat
force-cruisers, destroyers and SUBJ
marines-removed safely from the
untenable base at Cavite. outside
Manila, but also the entire fleet
train" The train" is the SLOW
moving collection of supply ships,
tankers, cargo carriers, tugs, tenders,
repair ships and other auxiliaries
indispensable to effective fleet op-
Grafton.