The Filipino captain also alleged that he attempted to wireless news Of the disaster to Manila but that a radio operator aboard the Japanese ship refused to send his message as could not be paid for in Japanese currency, consequently it was delayed until the following morning.
Representations of the Japanese Foreign Office were based on the testimony of Capt. Shiho, who replied to a query from the Foreign Ofüce through the Communications Ministry. He stated that his ship rescued the first and second lifeboats but the second one drifted a considerable distance and it took some time to pick up the persons in it. Subsequently those in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth lifeboats were picked up. A check revealed that two persons were missing. One was found clinging to a piece of lumber arid was saved; no trace could be found of the other. After a consultation with Capt, Onrupia, rescue work was suspended, Capt, Shiho stated. Had he really wanted to return to the President Quezon he certainly could have done so in the third or fourth lifeboats, whose oc-Cupants were picked up, Capt. Shiho continued.
Capt. Shiho categorically denied the charge that he had requested Capt. Onrupia to come aboard the Japanese rescue vessel to sign documents. The Japanese captain adduced wireless files of the Ukishima Maru.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.