Manila, Mar. 21.
Authoritative United States officials today discounted the alleged Japanese Faid on Ibayat, and attributed the report to hysteria prevailing {hrough= out the Philippines due to fears of a Sapanese-United States war. They said the raid apparently was by Filipino marauders and that hystercal' townspeople mistook them for Japanese.
Authorities recalled that a recent Moro outlaw outbreak in Suki was alleged to have been Japanese in spired in an effort to create confusion throughout the islands. but authorita~ {ive sources said correct information indicated the outbreak was not Fears' of Japanese raids, however. have affected Filipino omeials and was announced that legislation being drafted to provide for registra lon of all aliens plus constant watch alien. movements, The "Manila Bulletin" today _reported that the Mayor of Tthayat in Batanese Islands Province off them Luzon, had advised the Philippines. Department. of Interior that 60 Japanese had raided the town and seized mining chemicals 'The Mayor said that the Japanese arrived ina large fishing boat on 'March 10, according to the "Bulletin" despatch' The Japanese were wearing [blue Jackets which they discarded Just prior to the raid. the Mayor reported.
The Japanese took n considerable quantity of chemicals then sailed away. "They met no opposition from the townsfolk and a few oMicials who Japparently were completely surprised.
Informed sources here said Itbayat could not have resisted anyway be-Jeauise of its extremely small population and because two policemen com-the only armed force in the Although there had been a noteworthy increase in' evacuation of American nationals during the past Several months, he said, there we no, pans (under consideration" Dractising for ar raids ov evacuation.
The Philippines is the only aren in the Far East which hag not yet me stituted air raid drills. The Amniy and Navy have offered to assist in supplying technica) advice for the Programme and iv has been indicated that the Army and Navy. probably would take over the entire prov gramme in the event of an emergency in case martial law was ordered. That the Army is bringing pressure on the Commonwealth Government formulate an alien registration act, also indicated, The contemplated would make possible possession of complete files on allens in ease of an emergency.
Despite the announcentent by it. Sayre of the board's proposed pro: gramme, competent, sources pointed 24 that no progress had een made 16,520 Wells to Be Dug In North China Peiping, Mar, 24, In view of the fact that the fams in many places in North China de~ end on rain for their watering, North [China authorities have ordered 10,520 wells to be dug this year, according {o the local Chinese: press Although 3,000 wells were dug last year by the North China Cotton Improvement Association and the North China" Communications Company, they are far from belt [Commonwealth Government may take /setion to prevent any similar developments in the future by stationing a strong constabulary force or sending a cutter patrol boat to Batanes waters.
The Batanes group of islands is particularly vulnerable to attack due fis isolation from the rest of the Philippines archipelago. Cutters also Ido not patrol nordiern' waters of the archipelago—United Press.
It ig announced that nine rms and the Foreign Bankers Association are adopting Shanyhal time as from Monday, 'The oficial time the Legation' Quarter " remains Unchanged, however, Reuter, in Tientsin Power Star
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