Evening star., 1942-07-28

and it was rumored that one high
army officer responsible for Tokio's
defense shot himself.
Early in March police investigat-
ing Max Hill, the Associated Press
Toxic bureau chief who was held
in Jail, came to quiz me concerning
news stories which I had taken
from the Japanese Foreign Ofice's
short-wave summary and passed on
to Mr.. Hill. The police threatened
to move me into a cell, too. How
ever, could only tell the obvious
source OF our news channels, shrug
and reply to the threat: That's
your business"
Two weeks before my departure I
was taken along with other cor
respondents to the Sanni Hotel,
where luncheon was given us. The
luncheon, the japanese said. was
under the auspices of THE Pacific
War Relief Committee" front for
the Japanese Home ONCE.
Our hosts first asked, then de-
manded, that we write statements
on various assigned topics, mine
being internment conditions in
Japan. When I refused, home
officer struck twice, knocking out a
dental bridge-which Japanese
dentist later replaced without
charge.
This undoubtedly was the method
used by the Japanese to obtain fan
tastic quotations from other Amer
lean prisoners. They threatened to
keep me in Japan unless I wrote
statement. .~., ~ ri
I finally performed. Under duress.
I told the Japanese police that in
ternment conditions were "as we'll
as could be expected" sasEHi
Now, on my way back to the
United States, I can explain that
had no illusions about what could
be expected.
Difference In Conditions.
longtime residents of Japan used
to tell me: This would be helluva
country to be interned in" That
was true But in fairness, the Japa-
nese difference in living standards
and conditions was the main factor.
In many cases the police did their
best to alleviate the situation OF our
group Of 13 Americans in Toxic. We
were arrested the day war broke
out and were interned, but not i'm
prisoned.
ION the other hand, Mr.. Hill
spent weeks in solitary conflne-
ment. Other correspondents
Jared similarly and. in addition
to physical discomfort, under
went severe grillings. in which
they were struck
In the six months confinement
the Americans in our group organ
lied their own routines and fur
nished and cooked their own food.
There was no help in this respect
from japanese authorities, but little
interference either. The Japanese
provided so-called western meals,
but these were mostly inedible and
always unpalatable. Only our own
efforts and purchases kept us alive
and fairly healthy In that period.
Held Incommunicado.
On the morning of December 8
Tokio's streets were normal enough
Though it was December 7 In
Hawaii when the Japanese attacked
Pearl Harbor, it was December 8 in
JAPAN But radios were blaring
patriotic marches, and I was more
or less prepared. when I returned
from church and entered my house,
to find myself surrounded by police,
who themselves seemed surprised
and dazed by news of the war.
With Robert Bellaire of the United
Press I was held incommunicado
throughout that day. All day the
radio told of Japanese successes at
Hawaii and the Philippines. The
Japanese servants seemed unable
to believe or comprehend the an
nouncements.
was awakened the next day BY
policeman with mimeographed
sheet IN English and japanese an
nouncing I was to be interned and
1nstructing me to take enough food
Tor three days and a change Of
clothing and blankets.
At the camp we were read a list
Of rules, including a prohibition on
trying to escape. The guards were
told to shoot to kill in that case.
Roll was called three times daily.
Won Guards Friendship.
Paul Rush of Louisville, XIV. a
teacher whose hobby was cooking,
organized a kitchen and ran it sue
cessfully throughout our internment.
Friends on the outside secured
the shops and even a "black mar
ket" to provide us with meats, fresh
eggs, vegetables and canned goods.
The guards constantly were
amazed, themselves being unable
to obtain such food. We won their
friendship with gifts Of pie and
coffee.