All papers quoted Truman on making the Philippines a big base for the knockout blow on Japan. Tydings is writing bills for Philippine relief, and bad as he is, he seems to be the only one on our side.

Touring the Boulevard with Maurice on his jitney, I was stunned at the number of ships in the Bay. All of the Boulevard was filled with small barracks, tents, army bungalows and such. Manilans are figuring how to get stuff in from the States. The first importers will rake in a fortune.

While talking to Graemiger, Carlos Barreto inadvertently explained how the atrocity at the house on the corner of Dakota and San Luis happened. The Japanese cleared the house, saying it was to be a defense position. For some reason, the crowd returned there during the battle and the Japanese slaughtered them all, including the Lizarragas, when they found out.

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René Klingler told me the Liberator Magazine was printed in Biñan. Lepanto also had a printing press that the Japanese forgot to destroy but it wasn't used. Madrigal was a heavy contributor to the PQOG [President Quezon's Own Guerrillas] who numbered around 2,000. By the time the Japanese discovered their headquarters, they were too strong to attack. This group was only recognized ten days ago. Incidentally, Madrigal and Quezon had been classmates at Letran.

Many collaborators reaped a pretty penny during the occupation, and not only did they get away with it but are now way ahead of everyone else in terms of capital. "The honest men did nothing and, until now, can't touch their money unless it's in the National City Bank," said René matter of factly. "We sure were suckers."

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