Evening star., 1942-04-10
Philippines
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Philippines
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points in Mindoro, both Immediately
south OF Luzon. They also have
occupied Jolo, in the extreme SOUTH
west; Davao and Zamboanga, i'm
portant ports on the southernmost
major island Of Mindanao.
Appreciates Confidence.
The War Department said Gen.
Wainwright in his message to the
President had expressed apprecia-
ton of the confidence placed in him
by the Commander -in-chief and
had advised that everything pos
sible had been done to hold Bataan
with the limited force under his
command.
The overwhelming air and artil-
lery superiority of the Japanese
finally overcame the dogged resist
ance of the hungry and exhausted
defenders, the War Department
said.
The communique, based on re-
ports from Corregidor received up
until 10 am, was the first report
on Philippine developments since
the extraordinary communique is
sued at Sis am. yesterday advising
of "the probability that the defenses
on Bataan have been overcome"
Domei broadcast a claim last
night that the Bataan defenders
had begged for a halt in hostilities
after six days of fierce japanese
assault" The dispatch was dated
Thursday and said details. of the
conditions of surrender are not yet
disclosed, nor is it known yet wheth-
er the Japanese forces have decided
to accept the terms"
Quake Rocks Bataan.
Another Japanese wireless mes
sage said that during final stages of
the Bataan battle an intensive
earthquake rocked the whole of the
peninsula. The main force of the
quake was said to have lasted five
minutes, causing Filipino huts to
crumble and starting several land
slides.
Gen. Wainwright has President
Roosevelt's authorization to take
whatever action he sees fit and it
was considered unlikely that the
Japanese would grant any terms
which did not include surrender of
Corregidor and the other island forts
which deny them the Use OF Manila
Bay.
Oficials considered it doubtful
that any sizable portion of the
American and Filipino fighters
on the peninsula had been able to
make the f1ve-mile crossing from
Mariveles Bay to Corregidor. Heavy
Japanese bombing of .rearward areas
Tuesday and Wednesday was be-
lieved to have been directed toward
destroying barges and launches with
which such a transfer might be
made.
Signs of Next Move Sought.
Reports from all fronts were ex-
arnined by the United Nations COM
mand for indications of what the
next japanese campaign. augmented
by men who may be released from
Bataan, would be: A reinforced drive
into Burma and India, an attempt
to clean up the China war quickly,
a surprise attack of Siberia, invasion
of Australia, or grand-scale thrust
at Hawaii.
The Allies had to prepare against
any and all of these. Officially there
was no indication whether the
United Nations know the direction
of the next Japanese offensive. Un-
official Washington, however, in
clined to the view that the end of
Bataan fighting had put Siberia
next on the list.
Bad weather was expected to slow
any full drive against Burma and
India, although there was some
likelihood of intensified fighting as
a result of Japanese attempts to
consolidate bases in the dry season
before the May monsoon begins
Defenses in Australia and Hawaii
are being strengthened daily, max
ing them less inviting targets. A
mortal blow to China probably would
require months.
Japs Feel Ship Pinch.
BY contrast, a Siberian campaign
would involve little drain on ocean
transport, and Japan is believed to
be starting to feel the shipping
pinch. Also, successful thrust
against the Russians would tighten
the hazard of an American-Russian
air campaign against the japanese
main islands from Russian soil.
And finally, a Japanese war against
Russia could start by land and air
with no more warning than the
Germans gave in their invasion Of
the Lowlands.
The Russians have a 3,000-mile
land frontier from Vladivostok to
Lake Baikal to defend against the
Japanese Kwantung army which
has been preparing for such a war
for years.
Once such a land and air often
sive was launched, Japanese vet
Grams now in the Philippines could
be shifted gradually to North China
and Inner Mongolia for use as re-
serves against the Russians, an op-
Grafton which might involve less
strain on transport than keeping
them fed on Luzon.
The initial Japanese blow in such
a campaign would be aimed at
knocking out Vladivostok, which is
but $50 miles from Toxic, and the
Russian bomber and fighter force
there. Before the war vladivostok
was said to harbor more than 10
submarines. The Siberian city also
has bases for 300 bombers and an
equal number of fighters, some of
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