Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-04-03
BY CLARK LEE,
Associated Press War Correspondent.

Associated Press War Correspondent.
UNITED STATES ARMY HEAD
QUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA, April
3.-By far the greatest part of the
Philippines, both in territory and
In population, still are free of the
japanese invader and still are under
the American flag.
The people are unwavering in
their loyalty to the United States,
although considerably puzzled over
the Allies continued Withdrawals
and their failure to take the initia-
tive against Japan.
En- route to Australia, where I
arrived three days ago, I travelled
hundreds of miles over Philippine
waters and by car over the islands
without seeing a single Japanese
plane, warship or soldier.
1t is we'll to recall that there are
1000 islands and reefs in the archi-
pelago, and that so far the enemy
has landed on only five.
The japanese control the prin-
cipal cities and highways in Central
and Northern Luzon and few ports
in Southwestern Luzon. However,
the main prize, Manila Bay, still
is beyond their reach.
Occupied Five Points.
Recently the japanese occupied
five points on Northern Mindoro.
They maintain a small force on the
Island OF Masbate; occupy Davao
and zamboanga, at the eastern and
western extremities of Mindanao,
and also hold the Island of Jolo.
The japanese do not control the
inner Philippine Islands or the in
land waters. Occasionally an enemy
warship raids shipping and ports in
the so-called INLAND sea-" But the
Japanese apparently are afraid to
keep destroyer or light cruiser on
patrol there
From what I have seen of the
American torpedo boats in action,
believe few squadronS of those
hard-hitting, speedy vessels in which
Gen. Douglas Macarthur began his
trip to Australia could keep the Is
lands inner shipping lanes entirely
clear of the enemy.
There are dozens of airfields and
scores of ports in the inner Philip
pines from which American planes
and ships could operate There are
American and Filipino fighting forces
on almost every island.
japanese Afraid of Moros.
The war goes on not only on Ba-
taan but on Mindanao, where the
Moros, under United States officers,
frequently attack the Japanese. =
The japanese are reported to have
put in uniform several thousand
young japanese nationals who lived
at Davao before the war. Yet despite
their overwhelming numerical super
iority, the invaders are said to fear
the Moros so much that every night
hundreds of the japanese return TO
their ships to sleep.
The Moros turned back one jap
anese drive south of Davao in jan
uary.
On other islands we found Ameri-
can and Filipino forces which were
ready to fight despite their shortage
of equipment if the japanese should
come. Our greatest difficulty in
travelling through the philippines
was in answering questions about
help from the United States. Every
body. everywhere, asked the same
questions.
To. inquiries as to when Toxic
would be bombed, our customary re-
ply was 'the bombing will start soon,
probably the middle of this month
march,"
Then some one would proffer the
polite objection that I'VE believe it
would be difficult for us to bomb
Toxic before April, sir, as the air
fields in Alaska still are covered with
snow and detectives in Japan prob
ably would be hidden by clouds"
See Aid From Russians.
Some bright youngster usually
would add:
I'VE believe arrangements can be
made for the United States to use
the Russian air fields at Vladivostok
and on the Kamchatka Peninsula,
inasmuch as the Russians and
Americans are fighting the same
war, although on different fronts,
and the Russians need American
supplies while Americans need
Siberian bases"
The people frequently expressed
their respect for President Roosevelt
as a forceful leader. Their feeling