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BOOK III

REDEMPTION

September 1, 1944

Maurice's district is sick of the unwelcome visits of "friendly" Japanese. It started with Lt. Hayashi; then the new Lt. Watanabe started to drop in and stay until he was fed, and now his underlings are tagging along.

Housing is still a headache. The ousted Ortigas family started to move to the Olbes house only to find them being re-moved. One family is still worrying after moving three times. The Ygoas were given only 24 hours notice. Count yourself lucky if the Japanese provide you with transportation or another house. One family agreed to move but to a specific house. Its occupants were promptly kicked out, vowing revenge after the war. Delgado tried to double-cross Maurice, but the intended tenant, an interpreter named Ishimura, knew Mr. Sotelo before the war and agreed to lay-off. For the moment, doubling-up with other families is proving to be one solution.

The Japanese are now storing oil and ammunition near hospitals and churches. Given the dispersal of stores and the wholesale takeover of districts for military use, one might think that the destruction of Manila could now be justified, and if so, wouldn't it be better to evacuate?

This week the Japanese ended the privileges of the aged and infirm Americans at the Remedios and Hospicio de San Jose Hospitals. Even the very sick are back in Santo Tomas.
   
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Supplement September 1, 1944

A New Notebook†

Today is the fifth Anniversary of the European War, and the date I'm marking as that of the Beginning of the Battle of the Philippines.

In which I begin a diary to cover the strenuous days ahead. To feature daily resumés of the Tribune and La Vanguardia, the news of the day — with the usual reservations for flights of fancy, wild rumors and whatnot. My aim is to try and capture the current atmosphere: Tense, expectant, and fraught with an unusual degree of insecurity. My aim is not to ridicule, nor to elevate, but to record a correct account of the present times and those immediately ahead FREE OF ALL PREJUDICE; BIAS; WISHFUL THINKING. I want to do justice to all concerned and that is all.

In all likelihood I shall merely ridicule Japanese propaganda from time to time — that consistent blot in an otherwise brilliant war record of the Japanese people, who have shown initiative, capabilities and an unearthly bravery matched by no other participating people in this war.... I shall give credit where credit is due. I shall not be found wanting in keeping to a strictly HONEST attitude.

May God help us all in the coming days. May God — just possibly — spare us!

† A typical beginning of one of the author's notebooks (#36?), in case of its discovery by the Japanese — for whatever purpose of self protection it may serve. —Ed.
   
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