The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-23
PHILIPPINES ARE
NEAR ZERO HOUR
Continued from Page u

Continued from Page u
attacked the airdrome of Rabaul on
Saturday and inflicted Consider
able" damage. They probably shot
down two Japanese fighters which
tried to intercept them. On Sunday,
heavy U. s. bomberS attacked Lae's
airdrome and at least nine enemy
planes on the ground were de-
Stroyed.
Cruisers Were Hit
A war department con1munique
Sunday reported the probable sink
ing of one Japanese cruiser and
the damaging of another In U. S.
aerial attacks on Rabaul.
The message of the American
Filipino defenders Of Bataan, led by
Wainwright since MacArthur's de-
parture for Australia to become
United Nations Generalissimo, con-
graduated their former chief on mis-
safe arrival to assume his new post.
They sent their commander their
affectionate greetings and pledged
their continued loyalty and devo-
tion," the war department said.
"They declared they would con-
tinue the defense of the Philippines
with the same zeal and courage
manifested so magnificently under
Gen. MacArthur's personal direction.
They expressed their confidence that
under his leadership troops of the
United Nations in Australia and the
Philippines would triumph over the
aggressor."
Military experts said it had been
ridiculous" for the Japanese COM
mander-in-chief in the Philippines
to believe that Wainwright and his
troops, imbued with MacArthur's
fighting spirit, would pay any heed
to the latest ultimatum.
Ultimatum Japanese
Gen. Wainwright's Headquarters,
Corregidor Fortress, March "a
2 p. m.-(UP)-A new Japanese ulti-
matum demanding the surrender of
the American-Filipino defenders of
Bataan peninsula and the Manila
Bay forts expired two hours ago but
eAASAS 40 AAO DASAA GU Va viz OApOSbSA
About Japanese offensive.
(Thfs apparently was the last
word, aside from official reports not
yet published, from the doughty de-
tenders who are expecting a jap
aneSe assault monentarily. The
war department announced in
Washington yesterday that the ulti-
matum had been presented and ig-
nored.
The flowery worded Japanese sur
render ultimatum had been jointly
signed by the commanders of the
IMPERIAL Japanese army and navy
and gave Lieut.. Gen. Jonathan
Wainwright until noon to lay down
his arms Internationally. Like his
predecessor, Gen. Douglas MacAr-
thur, Wainwright disdaiAed to reply.
Several copies OF the ultimatum
neatly printed and tied with red
ribbons, were dropped by Japanese
airplanes from high attitudes over
Bataan.
They were contained in medium
sized tin cans labeled with this
prinated message: Anyone who gets
this letter is requested to send 1t
to the commander in chief of the
United States forces" A similar mes
sage was printed on the ribbons and
on the backs Of the copies OF the
ultimatum.
What Ultimatum Said
1--WE have the honor to address
you In accordance with the humans
tartan principles of Bushido (the
code Of the Japanese warrior.)
1T will be regarded (remembered)
that some time ago note advising
honorable surrender was sent to
the commander in chief of your
fighting forces. To this no reply
has yet been received.
"Since our arrival in the Philip
pines with the Imperial japanese
expeditionary forces, already three
months have elapsed, during which,
despite the defeat Of your allies,
Great Britain and the Netherlands
East Indies and in the face Of
innumerable difficulties, the Arneri-
can and Filipino forces under your
command have fought with much
gallantry.
I'VE are, however, now in a posi-
ton to state that, with men and
supplies which surpass, both nu-
merically and qualitatively, those
under your leadership, we are en-
tirely free either to attack, and put
to rout, your forces, or wait the
inevitable starvation Of your troops
within the narrow confines Of Ba-
taan peninsula.
"Your excellency must be well
aware Of the future prospects OF
the Filipino-American forces under
your command. To waste the valu-
able lives Of these men In an utterly
meaningless and hopeless struggle
would be directly opposed to the
principls Of humanity.
"And, furthermore, such course
would sully the honor Of any fight
ing man. Your excellency, you
have already fought to the best of
your ability. What dishonor is
there in following the defenders
of Hong Kong, Singapore, and. the
Netherlands East indies In the ac-
ceptance Of honor defeat?"
Meanwhile, Wainwright was adj
rninistered the oath Of office as