Nogales international., 1944-02-18

Despite the recent news OF
Japanese atrocities against Ameri-
can prisoners, Mrs. Buster Pyeatt
(ROse Richey) Of Elgin, has been
reassured Of the safety of her two
sisters, her two brothers-in-law,
and two children of one Of the
sisters, all Japanese prisoners, in
letter received from medical
missionary recently returned from
the Philippines on the S. S.
Gripsh0lm.
The letter, which was received by
Mrs. Jessie Winiker of Ventura,
Calf, mother of the two men, be-
fore the news of the atrocities was
revealed, was signed by Horton
Daniels of Minneapolis, MINI. 1t
read in part:
Sorry I don't know your two
sons, but I have enjoyed knowing
your two daughters and grandchil-
dren. The husbands are both well
in the war prison camp at Cabane-
tuan, Marietta's S husband (First 1t.
James Hanford Winiker) with
|D.S.M. for special service at Bataan
I believe.
TOO THIN
For several months the wives
lived on Tennessee avenue, just
across the street from our Presby-
terian compound but later came into
camp. Mrs. Marietta, as usual, is
too thin and because of slight fever
we kept her some time in the hos
pital for x-ray and observation, but
found no cause for worry
However, it did seem wise as a
precaution to tighten her load, so
the two children are at the Holy
Ghost convent where 160 children
are being cared for in very excel
lent and special way They are
fine children.
The Winikers, James and Mari
eta, and their two children, and
1St Lieut.. and Mrs. Dick B. Winiker
all were in the Philippine Islands at
the time of the surrender. Both of
The men had been employed by the
Marsman Gold Mining company
but had been sworn into the army
when the islands were attacked.
Mrs. Jessie Winiker received the
first official news that they had
been taken prisoner a little over
year ago, although the name OF
Mrs. Dick Winiker had appeared
previously in list of civilian pris-
oners.
HEARS FROM SON
Since that time she received a
card from her son, James, inform
ing her that the family was all doing
we'll in Manila and that he was in
Philippine prison camp No. l.
Daniels letter reported that
there was great contrast between
the ruthless cruelties in Nanking
and the relatively peaceful occupa-
ton of Manila with well disciplined
behavior. More might be said of
the less lovely behavior farther
from the spotlights of the city.
Much was CLOSED over by the large
force of religious workers from ia
n. manySof whom were reilly fine
0hlistians, but even the Filipinos
mad no difficulty in sensing the in
incerity of their motives"
Daniels also described prison con-
ditions inside Santo Tomas univer-
city. where he said three or four
thousand people were kept.
SEE NO WEEVIL'
Food grew more and more tire
some, while the cracked wheat grew
more and more lively so that one
of the Santo Tomas monthlies in
cluded cartoon of the three Japa- ,
nese monkeys over the caption, See
no weevil, Hear no weevil, Eat no
weeyil. Humdrum was spiced with
humor, but serious thoughts also
abounded in schools and classes for
all ages, committees and ball games,
hospitals, kitchens, gardens, and !
later the shacks for family fellow
ship by day.
Segregation may have been the
order from Tokyo. At least the
commandant, trying to be lenient,
became frantic if he heard of
pregnancy, shouting out on one |
occasion to family who had been
living outside, You people released
from camp must not make babies,
and forthwith all pregnant papas
we're sent to Jail for 80 days.
Those with funds might have
their shack and special food, pur-
chased at the camp market or sent
in from the outside. This left
little more food in the regular
kitchen for those without financial
help, but at best it was pretty
minimal margin for those people.
For all, the body weight went
d0,r,y1 tho uitan1iT reserves got |