Evening star., 1943-06-23
CHAPTER XXIV.

from ABOUT tne InlQulc Ol rep
ruary we had begun to discuss plans
for leaving the Philippines. I had
made my arrangements with 1t.
Buckley while Jacoby was keeping
in touch with the Army officers
operating the small ships running
to the southern islands and coming
back with supplies.
We had two motives for wanting
TO teave. None of us wanted to fall
into Japanese hands there or any
where else. We had heard that Don
Bell. the American radio announcer
in Manila, had been tortured and
killed after failing to escape from
the capital. We had strong reasons
to suspect that We would face the
same fate.
Our second reason was less selfish.
BY mid-February We had learned
that there was very little likelihood
of reinforcements being sent to
Bataan. We began to suspect that
Bataan was becoming an embar-
Washington; the longer it held the
louder the American people were
clamoring that help be sent. And
the Government had no intention of
taking the risks involved in major
relief expedition. MacArthur's mes
sages. when they were answered,
informed him of that fact.
We believed that If we could
escape from the Philippines and get
to Australia and then fly to the
United States, we might be able to
persuade the authorities that the
battle was not yet lost We might be
able to convince them that Mac
Arthurs army had become a veter-
an, tough outfit, full of fight and
confidence. and tell them that q
few airplanes could make all the
difference in the world, and that
given a little encouragement the
people OF the Philippines would
fight with us to the death.
We wanted to convince them that,
unless we proved to the native
populations of the Orient that the
United States was not buying time
at their expense. there was grave
danger that those populations
would turn against us and join the
Japanese.
On the morning of February %
Jacobv met me at the mouth of
Malinta tunnel. "Annalee and I
are going out tonight" he said.
You'd better come along"
I'm supposed to 60 with Bulke-
ley reminded him.
Yes" he said. "nut you better
check up on it. I hear there is
possibility his trip will be called off"
went over to the Navy tunnel
and found Capt. Ray, the chief of
staff.
Captain" 7 said. LIT. Bulkelev
has told me I could go along with
him on his trip to China. Now
there is chance for me to leave
by another way. What is your
advice?"
You better go the other way"
Capt. Ray said. "Bulkeley's or
ders may be changed. or the boats
may be sunk or break down. or
they may be required for some other
purpose"
I thanked him and found ia
coby and together we made ar
rangementS to see Macarthur after
noon. He received us at his desk in
the USAFFE tunnel.
DO you want to go?" the general
asked
We told him that it depended on
whether We could do more good by
staying than by going. The general
refused to make our decision for
us, but as result of what he said
We decided to take a chance on get
ting through.
Macarthur talked to us for more
than an hour, as eloQuently and
stlrringlv as ever. He discussed not
only his own desperate situation.
but the entire world picture. His
heart was in the Philippines, but
his brilliant mind grasped the whole
strategy Of the world struggle. He
felt that there was not sufficient
understanding in Allied councils of
the time element in the Pacific, or
unlimited time to defeat Japan.
He pointed out the futility of try
Ing to defeat Japan by blockade"
and "attrition." now that Singa pore
had fallen and Java was about to
go. With the capture of those places
Japan would have all the raw ma
terials and the bases needed for
war of blockade and attrition
against us. He was disturbed, but
he was not bitter He was ready
to face his fate like a soldier, but,
like an American soldier, he wanted
to win-not to lose.
Go armed while you are in the
Philippines" the general advised.
when you board a ship to leave
the islands. if you are fortunate
enough to make connections, throw
away your khaki. your guns, pass
ports and all diaries and identifca-
ton papers. When you get to Cebu
look up the names of some busi-
nessmen and learn enough about
them so as to enable you to assume
their identity, if you are captured"
When he shook hands with us
he said. Il hope you'll make it. Say
good-by to Annalee for me"
Macarthur gave us special Gre
dentials.
We spent the afternoon making
final preparations. I wrote some
last dispatches and arranged for
Dean Schedler to be relieved from
his duties in the Quartermaster
Corps and to act as our correspond
ent which he did mapnificeptlN I'M