BOOK II

ORDEAL

Tribune: "Chungking Resistance nears end ... Military Parade on Wednesday ... House Facing Zone Must Close Windows" — no explanation given. The Japanese had 15 old pursuit planes in the air today, so, naturally, a rumor arose that American planes bombed Mariveles and Corregidor.

Out for ten days with an ulcer, Paul Meyer gave me the lowdown on Santo Tomas. One Japanese fellow runs a store in Santo Tomas and charges exorbitant prices. Consequently there's much smuggling. Paul is heavily involved through Conchita, as the Japanese have become lax with notes and packages. There's some fermenting of fruit juices and a few internees have already gotten drunk on the results. Earl Carroll is head of the internee committee — "the big boss."