The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-02
Brave Defenders Are
 Forced To Quit City
Continued from Page D

Henry L. Stimson hailed MacAr- thurs "masterful' handling of the situation and described him as this nations "best fighter.
 Corregidor, the fortress at the entrance to Manila Bay and still in American hands, is a huge mass of rock, bristling with coastal defense guns and anti-ailrcraft rifles. The mountain tunnels are used as store rooms and, in some cases, living quarters for the United States forces.
 The island is believed capable of considerable resistance to ordinary aerial bombardment, but there is some uncertainty as to how long it could withstand heavy and continu- ous dive bombing attacks.
 Last Communique
 The War Departments last com- munique on the Philippines situation issued at 5 p. m. yesterday, follows:
 Philippine theater:
 Despite heavy enemy attacks at- tempting to break up our troop movements, the maneuvers designed to regroup the two forces of Ameri- can and Filipino troops opposing the Japanese in the north and south east has been successful accom- plished. All available defending forces have now been united. In addition to the land positions, the harbor defenses and island fortifi- cations are strongly held by our troops.
 Gen. Douglas Macarthur, com- manding the United States army forces in the Far East, has sub- mitted a report to the War Depart ment dealing with the internment and surveillance of enemy aliens in the Manila area. Although our troops were fully occupied in com- bat operations, every requirement of international law was carefully observed in dealing with Japanese subjects residing in the Philippines.
 Japanese Guarded
 Approximately 175 Japanese civ ilians were placed under close guard in an internment camp near Manila. About 5000 other subjects of Japan in other localities were placed under surveillance to protect them against possible mob violence. This action was taken at the urgent request of the Japanese consul general at Manila.
 Every consideration was shown both to those interned and to those under surveillance and every req sonable provision was made for their comfort.
 Police protection was extended to Japanese property.
 "The hope was expressed that this generous treatment of Japanese subjects by American and Philip pine authorities would result in re- ciprocal treatment by Japan of American and Philippine civilians residing in regions now occupied by Japanese trops.
 If the defenders of Manila are drawn up in huge arc around the city it was believed that the next Japanese move would be to attempt "break through" rather than a f1anking movement since the geog- raphy of the Bay area would all but | preclude the latter.
 Although unofficial quarters here were encouraged by the prospects of such line if 1t could be properly manned and armed, there was no disposition in official circles to be overly optimistic regarding Manila. Army and Navy officials GU three days have not hidden the fact that they expect 1t to fall. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson warned Americans yesterday against looking at the war with Japan in any part of the Orient through 'rose-colored glasses"
 One thing was certain, however, even if Manila falls. General Mac Arthur will not abandon the fight for the Philippines. He will fight it out to finish.
 That was made clear by StimSon at his New Years Day press confer cnce in reply to question whether the War Department had ordered Macarthur to leave the islands in event Manila defenses collapse.
 Stimson's answer was an em- phatic no.
 The communique did not identify the harbor defenses or the island Notifications which are Strongly held by our troops" Presumably it referred to the naval base at Ca vite, southwest of Manila and to the island fortress of Corregidor which l guards the entrance to Manila Bay
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