Current Events Review. Vol. I, No.4 February 1946

Media

Part of Current Events Review

Title: Current Events Review. Vol. I, No.4 February 1946
Issue Date: Vol. I (No. 4) February 1946
Year: 1946
Language: English
Rights
extracted text: I Were the Accompli1limenl1 of tlie Moocow Conlerence? . . , . • . . . . . . . . . . . . I pol1anl DlrecHves l11ued lo Bring Cliange1 in tlie National Liie of tlie Japanese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . wu Japan Defeated in World War JI? ......... . . ......... ...... . . , . in tlie Liie ol Gen. Do1111lu MacArtliur - C. &nag .... . .... . , . . .o Cu~ Lieu - Scientllk: Thinking and ti.I! Eebruary, 1946 For an artistic, accurate. a.s well as speedy fob------- ·-------Manlapaz's LETTER SERVICE Educational - Social - Commercial Dedicated to a common effort,-Educational Rehabilitation. * CirrulRr Lt>llns * Rusinl'ss Forms * Poster~ * Campaign \Vrite-ups * Lf'clurf' Notf's * Textbooks f-: Onllines * Classroom Tests * Programs DRAWINGRPproduclions by special proc<'sses reductions, Suggestive Designs Artistic Rendet·ing *Circular Letter Service for social organizations and business concerns-illustrative advertising, announcements, bulletins of information, financial statements; ·•Mimeographing-notes, outlines, and tests for the use of college and university professors; -:-:·Teaching aids-blank maps, outlines, albums, achieve .. ment tests, health posters, devices; *Preparation and reproduction of drawings-fashion, fashion books, scientific apparatus, biological specimen, sketches, music; *Publications of every kind and description-enlargements. PRINTING IN COLORS-HIGH-SPEED MULTI-COPYING PrPparalion of stencils fr::ir <luµlicntor work our specinfty. Please call or inquire at - BOOKBINDING *Reasonable Prices MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. Editors ,_. Mimeographns - Process Printers ...... Bookbinders Artists ,...., Designers ,...... Illustrators 123-125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila What Were the Accomplishments of the Moscow Conference? Is it possible for the Big 3 to come to an agreement? signed the armistice with the cne- Cairo de~laration specificaily my country? states that after the defeat of Japan, sleps would be taken t< Why did the Big 3 decide give independence to Korea. The The first conference of the Big to meet again? Moscow Conference decided on 5 ended in October, 1945, after Newspaper writers, statesmen five-year. trusteeship for K~rea discussing hardly more than 10 · after which Korea would be given without and leaders of various countries . d Th t . international problems, were surprised to read on Decem- her mdepen ence. a means 111 accomplishing the main purposes her 7, 1945, the announcement that 1950. for which the conference was call- the Big 3-United States, Russia, 3. It was agreed that th·~ ed. Five foreign ministers of the and England-would meet in Mos- withdrawal of Russian and Amerfive big powers in the world - cow. Immediately, varioU.s period- ican forces in China was desirable. United States, Russia, England, icals hailed the decision of the Both countries agreed to recognize ~::n;:, ~:~u~;i~:e ~e::t ~~e:~:~ -:;g ~e a:ui~e:i~;st w~~I~·~~:: f!!'. ~~isCh~;;::m~:!io:~;s~:::~:en;~ ":'ith Rumania, ~ungary, Bulga- vently hopes that such War' as we promote the unification of China. r1a, Italy, and Fmland, h . . · h The world eagerly awaited the had might neve_r appen agam. 4. The foreign m1msters reac - It of the conference The All the peace-lovmg peo~les of the ed an agreement on the prepararesu 1 s f the world wer~ disap- world wished that all efforts would ti on of peace treaties with Itaiy, ::~:t:: :ith the outcomes of the be exertecT"to bring about lasting Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and conference. Peoples asked them- and enduring peac~. T_he people Finland. They also agreed ?n the selves whether the cooperation feared that the A~hes might make procedures to be follo"'.ed m the among the big powers was headed again. the same mistake they ma<le drafting. of peace treaties and m for a final break-up. Political after World War I. the holdmg of general peace conthinkers have asked these ques· What agreements were ference. !ions : reached? 5. One of the problems that 1. Why were the smaller Allied nations and the British do· minions excluded from all discussions of treaties with countries 'they themselves had fought? 2. Why was Greece, for example, excluded from the discussion of the peace treaty with Italy? Greece foug}\.t against Italy. 3. Whr should, for instanc~: the United States and France, who never fought Finland, discuss the peace treaty with Finland? aroused heated discussion in the The meeting of the Big & in Mos- first conference of foreign mincow began on December 17, 1945. isters in London was the recogniand ended on December 27, 1945. tion of the respective governments The foreign ministers who discl!s- of Rumania and Bulgaria. The sed various international questions foreign ministers agreed to recog, were Sec'retary of State James F. nize the independence of Rumania Byrnes of the United States, For- and Bulgaria as soon as they have'! eign Minister Ernest Bevin of established a democratic form of England, and Foreign Commissar government. Vyacheslav Molotov of Russia. On 6. It was ag1·eed to formulate December 28, l945, the i·esults of a plan for the control of atomi; the Moscow conference were re- energy to b.e submitted to the UNO leased. What were the major ac- in January, 1946. The commis4. Why was "power politics" complishments of the "moment- sion was directed to make the fol(acts of securing favorable ad- ous" conference? lowing recommendations: (a) to vantages for a favored nation) do- 1. It was agreed to establish a maKe possible the exchanging minant in the conference? Why Far Eastern Commission, The among nations of the scientific in· did the powers greatly differ in Far Eastern Commission would be formation on atomic energy usethe interpretation of the meaning composed of 11 members represent- ful for peaceful ends; (b) to en·· of "democracy"? Why did Rusaia ing the United States, Russia! courage the research on the use Ol' insist on the meaning of democra- Britain, China, France, the Neth- control of atomic enerffy for cy which was not acceptable tr. erlands, Canada, Australia, India. peaceful prtrposes, and (c) to prothe other power,s? New Zealand, and the Philippines. vide measures to prevent members 5. Why was Russia determined The FEC would determine the from violating .or evading the deto have her way in the Balkans? post-war policies on Japan. cisions or rules that might be 6. Why did Russia insist in not 2. It was decided to have a agreed upon on the control of discussing peace treaties in the four-power trusteeship for Korea. atomic _energy. presence of members who had not It should be remembered that the (Continued on page 2) FEBRUARY, 1946 *I MOSCOW CONFERENCE . ( Contilmed) KEEPING UP WITH THE TIME ... ABANDONMENT OF THE 7. The Big 3 agreed that the BURMA ROAD United States, Great Britain, and Canada wouTd continue to guard the secret of the atomic bomb until a "world-wide plan or worldwide cooperation program llar:; been worked out." The historic Stilwell Road, which had been constructed against time and circumstances in ··order to bring supplies 'to China through India, was abandoned becatise it could not be maintained economically. It is 1,030 miles long. It was constructed at a cost of $37,000,000. The Stilwell road starts from Ledo in Assam, India, and cuts through the jungles of Burma to China. THE EMPEROR'S SACRIFICE Emperor Hirohito has offered jewelry and art objects as part payment for foodstuffs in the event that the Supreme Command for the Allied Powers permits the importation of food. What is the significance of the Moscow Conference? Secretary of State J. F, Byrnes said the decisions of the Moscow Conferent!e "should bring hope to the war-weary people of many lands." The Secretary_ of State also said that a i;ractical step had been achieved in solving one of the causes of the failure of the London Conference. He said, "the agreement at Moscow meets our insistence that a1l staites which took active part in the \var should participate in peace. It also re- ON THE DEATH OF ADOLF eognizes the responsibility of the HITLER larger powers in making the The T·ribnne in July, 1944, carµeace." ried a story on the attempted asThe Moscow Conference also sassination of Hitler. The people showea that the Allied Powers of Manila could not believe, that could reach an agreement on inter- Hitler would be alive after the national. problems. The Big 3 dis- details had been given. Everyone cussed many problems. The dis- who read the papers was laughcussion was characterized by co- ing with the quE!siion: 41 DO you operation and mutual understand- think Hitler would be aliye after ing. The success of the Mosccw the• bomb had exploCled under the Conference restored the confidence table where he was sitting?" And of the world in the goodwill of the Very few believed later the "Comgreat powers. munique issued by Hitler" on the Another very significant achieve- proR"ress of the war ln Europe; esment of the Moscow Conference· peciaBy the 1'el2.stic withdrawal'' of the German forces according to "prepared plans.'' was 'the agreement on the control of atomic energy. Secretary. of State Jam es F. Byrn Cs said "I am happy to find that the Soviet government feels as we dr that this particular weapon (the atomic bomb) is of such revolutionary measure that we shOuld explore, through the United Nations commission, methods of international control." Why is the creation and membership of the Philippines in the Far Eastern Commission significant? The membership of the Philippines in the Far Eastern Commission shows that the Philippines is capable of nssuming international obligations. Her membership The people in Manila thoug'ht that Hitler was dead. When the Allied armies were 'beginning their indicates her advanced political status. Under the Tydings-Mc· Duffie Act her foreign affairs arc under the United States. But World War II has given her a chance to assume control of her international affairs ,and responsibilities. The Philippines has participated in several international conferences, like the Conference of the UNRRX, the Bretton Woods Monetaty Conference., and the conference on food and agriculture. final assaults in Ber1in, the papers carried the news that Hitler was prepared to die. Many people then believed that Hitler was alive. Soniebody said that Hitler had many ''doubles."· When the papers announced his second death, people would. no longer believe the story. They now believe that Hitler is alive. Did Hitler die in the attempted assassination of July 20, 1944? In an interview with the Danish newspaper "Berlingske Tidende," German Army Lieutenant Ewald Von Kleist, a participant in the third attempt to assassinate Hitler, explained how Hitler escap'ed death. Hitler according to Kleist, was standing at the center of the big, solid table with the ml).ps spread out before him. The brief case containing- the bomb was placed beside him while Col. Stau · fenberg (who had brought the bomb irito Hitler;s headquarters) was summoned to a mock telephone call. The brief ease containing the bomb had been place in CoJon~l Brandt's wa.v and he moved it t.:i the other side of the table. When the bomb exploded the table offered Hitlet some protection. The explosion lifted it up and th~ table struck Hitler ·across his arm and chest-but Hitler was save1l from the fatal blow. The rumors that 'Hitler had gone to the window and was thrown out of it by the explosion, tir that he had left the conference, are false. Late in August, 1945, a feature article also describing Hitler's death appeared in Collier's. It was· written by Jack Fleischer and Seymour Freidin. The article described the last days of Berlin. The main Purpose of the article, however, was to show the star~d made in BerJin by the forces of Hitle». The materials used in the article were taken mostly from the records of two official stenographers who kept an ac<:Dunt of all the conferences between Hitler and his staff: Gerhard Herrge( Continued on page 11) 2* CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW Important Directives Issued to Bring Changes in the National Life of the JapaneseVarious directives and orde" Stabilization of Economic Life Seizure of Bank and Develop· have been issued from time to The imperial government was btent Companies time in order to bring changes in ordered to take measures in ini- On October 1, 1945, the headthe national life of the Japanese. tiating and maintaining firm con- quarters of Gen. MacArthur anThese directives are the practical trol over wages, prices, and. dis- nounced that 29 Japanese overseas measures to carry out the basic tribution of essential commodities. banks and developmerit companies policies of the United Stiates in The government was also ordered were seized by American troops. the occ~pation of Japan. They are to encourage the resumption of These financial institutions were expected to introduce grad'ti&Tiy maximum production of all con- organized for the exploitation of the democratic ways of living. sumer goods. The allotment of foreign lands. What are some of Abolition of the Imperial Head· materials necessary to produce the important things that may be quarters food, clothing, and housing facili- i·evealed by the seizure of these On September 131 1945, the Ja.: ties should be given priority. banks and Gevelopment compapanese Government on Ofders from Fr.eedom of the Press nies? Gen. MacArthur abolished the An order was issued stripping 1. What happened to gold reImperial Headquarters. This was newspapers and news agencies of serves, currency, and other finanthe institution that brought the government control. All Japanese eial _assets seiZed by the Japanese war to the Japanese. news barriers were torn down. in the Philippines? All new materials were ordered 2. What happened to the gold A;o~!ti~~m~~ ~::i:~e most influ- open to all comers-foreign a;; bullion stores and treasures of ential Japanese news agency. lt well as Japanese. the la: C~an~ T~o-~in, the fahad devoted most of its time in News and Music on Democracy mous anc unan war ord? spreading lies and propaganrla A program of news and music 3. What was the extent of the during the Pacific war. is being broadcast over the Japa- graft among the leading Japanese nese domestic work network. The militarists? Prohibition of Research on chief objective is to acquaint the 4. What happened to the ChiAtoms Japanese with democracy and nese imperial bullion seized durOn September 24, 1945, Gen. truth. ing the Boxer rebellion iri 1900? MacArthur issued a directive pro- Restoration of Civil Liberties Changes on the Traditional hibiting research in uranium On October 4, 1945, several di- Social Order which is used in the manufacture rectives were issued by the headof atomic bombs or of other radio- quarters of Gen. MacArthur to active elements. Steps were later restore civil liberties in Japan: taken to destroy the cyclotrons. 1. EVery secret police chief jn Freezing Japanese Funds the country was ordered removed. A directive was issued freezing The so-called "thought police" shall all J a pane.Se funds at home and be abolished. The secret police abroad.. This directive waS issued and 41 thought police" were once to secure reparations from Japan the powerful instruments fn the and to prevent. Japanese war pro- suppression of lib er a I ideas fiteers from unloading their throughout Japan. wealth in an effort to escape war 2. All restrictions on political guilt trial. and religious liberties and all disinformation on Finances and criminations on grounds of race, Financial Regulations nationality, creed and political In order to study the new con- opinion shall be removed. trol on the Japanese government, 3. All persons jailed under these Gen. MacArthu·r ordered the Ja- laws or held due to religious or panese Government to furiifSh him political beliefs shall' be rel.eased. with complete information regard- 4. Civil liberties shall be resing finances and financial regula- tored. tioll;S of the government. treasury, The release of at least 3,000 lithe imperial household, banks, in- berals in Japan will give stimulus surance companies, and other fin- to the formation of a liberal govancial institutions. ernment in the country. . FEBRUARY, 1946 An outline of sweeping government reforms for Japan was handed by Gen. MacArthur to Premier Baron Shidehara for execution. These· reforms are intended to carry out the Potsdam declaration-to remove or change the traditional order in Japan. Tlie outline given by Gen. MacArthur covers a 4-point program '>f sweeping reforms. 1. Abolition of all forms of government inquisition. 2. Breaking up of industrial monopolies. 3. Encouragement of labor unions. 4. Granting ous freedom. Educational Lecture of complete relig.iReorientation The Education Vice Minister, Seichi Omura, in. order to prepare the school officials for proper ap( Continued on the nezt page) *3 th J Se Government h•d tional policies of the United Important Directives . . . e · apane ~ (Continued from page 3) complete control of the movie pro- States, the headquarters of Gen. duction, personnel, franchise, and MacArthur issued an ol'der on preciation and teaching of demo- policies. on October 17, 1946, the October 30, 1946, demanding a cratic ways and principles, made Japanese Goverrunent was ordered suitable administrative machiriery it known to the Mainichi, one of to put its hands off the film in- for screening and certification of, the leading newspapers of Japan, dustry and to allow the film in- present and prospective teachers that all normal school principals dustry to reflect the democratic and educational officials. The and supervisor's in Japan would be ways of living. This directive is purpose of the order is to elin1ingiven lecture on democracy In another step toward the democrat- ate from the educational system Tokyo. The main purpose of the ization of the Japanese. (if Japan the mIITtaristic and ullecture-meeting is to give instruc- . . tra-nationalistic influences which iion on how to put the schools on a Educational Reforms m Japan had graduirlly led to her defeat., democratic basis. Such a step T~e late Franklin D. Roosevelt crimes, sufferings, and privations. would hasten the abolition of mili- i~ his various speeches and brvad- Dissolution of Japanese Monotarism in Japanese schools. casts urged the· reform of the educational system of the Axis coun- polistic Bodies Fact-Finding Survey of tries in the event they surrender- On November 4, 1946, Gen. MacFishing ed. ·He sincerely believed in the Arthur ordered the dissolution of Before the Pacific war, the power of education in promoting Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Yasuda, and Philippine Government had many international understanding among Sumitomo holding companies. difficulties with dummies who nations. Education, according to1 What is tht! significance of the sought to undermine the security him, should be broadened in its dissolution of these holding comof the country. There were Ja- activities and made to conform to panies? panese dwnmies iii the fishing in- the democratic ways of living. 1. It would be a forward step dustry, in lumber concessions, and On October 22, 1945, sweeping toward free enterprise. in the lease or acquisition of pub- changes in tl~e Japanese educa- 2. It would end Japanese aglic lands, especially in Mindanao. tional system were ordered by gression. The natural i·esources section Gen. MacArthur: a. It would lead to further re· of Gen. MacArthur's headquarters 1. Abolition of military instruc- organization of Japan's big busibegan on October 14, I945, a fact- tion in all sChools. ness. finding inquiry into the Japanese 2. Abolition of ultra-nationalis- Japan's Zaibatsu industrialists fishing activities. This fact-find- tic doctrine$ which had been com- disclaimed war guilt. They insisting survey may bring to light the pulsory in the education of the ed that the militarists were reFilipino 'dummies in the fishing Japanese. sponsible for the war. They believe industry in the Philippines befor•. 3. Teachers who had been ous- that the Zaibatsu should be retainthe Pacific war. ted from their positions because ed to help bring about the recov· Break-up of the Monopoly on of their liberal views were declar- ery of Japan. The experts of the the Silk Industry ed eligible for position and were, United States insist that Zaibatsu Japan's foreign trade is mainly in fact, given the preferenCe. control must Ee broken to lay the dependent on her textile industries 4. Prohibition of discrimination foundation for future Japanese such as silk, rayon, cotton, and against any teacher or official on · democracy. To carry out this wool. Half of her exports were account of race, nationality, creed, aim, Gen. MacArthur ordered the made of these. Raw silk was the political opinion, or social posi- sale of the shares of the· monomost important export, constitut- tion. polistic bodies to the general ing 70% of the world's supply. 5. Encouragement of critical public. Japan supplied about 60% of the evaluation of the content of in- Prevention of a New Japanese world's raw silk needs. sfruction. The evaluation should Airforce Gen. MacArthur ordered vn be characterized by free discussion. One of the provisions of the October 15, 1946, the dissolution 6. All teachers, officials, and Potsdam declaration is the eliminof the three organizations control- students must be acquainted with ation of the war-making power of ling the silk industry. The com- the theories and practices of a re- Japan. The head-quarters of Gen. panies involved Were the Japanese presentat'ive government. MacArthur ordered the disbandSilk Controlling Co., the Japa- Processing of Japanese ing of all Japanese pilots and nese Raw Silk Manufacturing Co., Teachers the abolition of all forms of and the Silk Reeling Co. The The training of teachers is an tr&.ining related to aircraft debreak-up of the monopoly would important factor in the reform of sigh, construction, maintenance, or lead to free enterprise. any educational system. Policies operation. The order precludes Freedom of the Film Industry ore best carried out when thos~ the formation of a new Japanese Before the occupation of the who execUte them believe in them. air force. country by the American forces, In order to carry out the educa- ( Continuecl on the next pa,ge) 4* CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW Wilging War Does Not Pay On November 26, 1945, Gen. MacArthur ordered the seizure of the war. profits made by Japan. The directive was issued in- order to. impress upon. tlie minds of the Japanese people that war does not pay. The important posffion in the directive are: 1. All war profits of all Nipponese firms and inOividuils have been ordered seized. 2. A capital levy of 70% have been laid on corporate and private fortunes, including the imperial finances. 3. AU government credit c;r subsidy activities have been prohibited pending the reorganization of the government fin&itces. 4. The Japanese Government lias been ordered to terminate by February 1 the payment of any discharged allowances or service pensions to Japanese veterans. Exception is provided for physical disability. Abolition of Feudal System of Land Ownership Japan had been in a state of economic bondage before the country surrendered unconditionally on September 2, 1945. In order to free the Japanese from this economic bondage, the headquarters of Gen. MacArthur issued a directive calling for agricultural reforms which would abolish the feudal WHY WAS JAPAN DEFEATED IN WORLD WAR II? Ki Kimura, a leading Japanese writer, once wrote the' secret of Nippon's strength which he thought would make Japan the absolute victor in the Greater East Asia War. He wrote in his article uNippon's Strength" (Nippon Times), January 1, .1943: "The rea~mn why the Japanese Forces are stronger than the forces of &J!Y other country is that, besides efficient armaments and good training, they are blessed with a peculiar source of strength, which is unexampled in the world. I refer to the Imperial Rescript granted to the soldiers and sailors by Emperor Meiji." This Imperial Rescript gave inspiration to the Japanese to die for their country and Emperor. But the Japanese now believe that. there are more important reasons why the Japanese forces were less strong than the forces of the Allies. These factors played ' fhe most important reasons for her defeat. In a speech delivered by former 6. Measures to stabilize the prices of agricultural produce. 7. Plans for the diffusion of technical inforination. 8. The encouras:?ement of agricultural cooperatives. Premier Prince Higashikuni at the extraordinary session of the Japanese Diet on September ·5, 1945, eight reasons were given for the inside story of Nippon's military defeat. 1. American air raids had cut 25 per cent of pre-war production even long before the atomic bomb was used. 2. The coal shortage was so acute that in the final months of the war many factories were on the verge of closing. 8. The air raids reduced by half Japan's rolling stock and railways. 4. Ship· losses and the American blockade reduced the carrying capacity of Japanese ships to 25 per cent of pre-war. 5. The air raids on Japan proper killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of people, burned 2,200,000 homes, and gradually destroyed the great and even medium cities "with calamitous consequences.'' 6. The ruins of ffiroshima and ( ContinueJ on the neo:t. pa,ge) ginal religion of Japan, believed and practiced by the Japanese people, from hoary antiquity down to the present." The essence of Shinto is ancestor worship. system of land ownership. The. directives provided forRv:t~t~~~~1~ s: 1 °: ~:~ant:s: ;:;~~ 1. The transfer of land ownership from absentee land owner to respective land operators. State Shintoism is sponsored by the government. It forces the people to believe that the Emperor i~ an actual, living god. State Shintoism teaches that the Emperor is the divine ruler of the country and that the Japanese are superior to any other people in the world. 2. The purchase of farmlands by land operators froin non-operating owners at equitable rates. 3, The purchase of land by tenants by annual installments com• mensurate with the. tenant's inco111;e. 4. The reasonable protection of tenants against a reversion to ol'ff tenancy system and for the estabJishment of facilities for long and short term farm credits at l"easonable interest rates. 5. Measures to protect the farm against exploitation by distributors. FEBRUARY, 1946 fn.milv is lPi:lS than th~e acres. whereas the avP-1°aP'e holi'Tinl? of Ameriran fA1'TO. fn.milv hi' 47 acrM. T ,PRS than 2ntt:: of the farmers in • Tan~n own their ]$1.nd. A stuOv f'.onduct.P.d bv the oc~un~tion for~p1:; showR fhFLt more than thl'PPfonrths of t.hP- fat·mP-rs are partiallv nr totallv tenants who nav rentals ;tmonntinl?' to one-half or :MOl'P. of t'liPir annnn.1 f'l'Ons. l,f!!ss thi:111. one-'hst.lf of the f,,.rm hf'n~P- holds rould livP on their nroduce. Abolition of Shinto Cult What is Shinto? According to the J a;panese scholar, Genchi Kato, c.cshinto or the Way of the Gods is The oriThe directive issued by Gen . MacArthur ordered the Japanese government to withdraw its support of State Shintoism, According to the· directive, "All propagation and dissemination of militaristic and ultranationalistic ideolo~v tn Shinto doctrfnes, practices, rites, ceremonies and observances as well as in the doctrines, practices, rites, ceremonies, and observances of any otTter religion, faith, sect, creed or philosophy are prohibited and will. cease immediately." *5 Milestones m the Life of Gen. Douglas MacArthur On January 26, 1946, the Supreme Commander of the Allies in the Pacific celebrated his sixty. sixth birthday. In the Philippines gladsome voice5: rang: "Long live General Douglas MacArthur! Long live the Defender and Liberator of the Philippines." On this day in the midst of the cheering, many will remember his promise, ''I shall return," and pray for this Honorary Filipino Citizen, thi~ Great American who redeemed his pledge although the road back was long and perifous. And I join the grateful as they pray: "May the General be loved for all time by those who believe in human dignity and freedom!" litary figure in the Pacific today," the following events are memorable: 1880. J ~nuary 26. Douglas MacArthur was born to Captain Arthur MacArhtur of Company K, 13th Infantry, and to Mary ·Pinkney Hardy of Norfolk, Virginia, at Fo1t Little Rock, Arkansas, when the captain and his men were fighting in thC' Indian Wars along the trails of the Great West. Here Douglas spent his early boyhood with fighting men, intrepid frontiersmen, Indian scouts, and daring cavalrymen. will make his mark." 1899. June 13. Enrolled as cadet at the greatest military institution in the world at West Point. West Point commands a magnificent view of the Hudson River, but has an atmosphere of rigid discipline and culture and learning. His record stands in his own handwrjting: In the life of the "greatest mi- 1886. The six-year old boy was taken to New Mexico where, with the soldiers at Fort Wingate and Fort Seldon he grew up watching broncho busters and heard the bellowing of longhorn catele on their way td slaughter. As his father was away most of the time, stalking the plains and mountain trails of the Pueblo• and the sons of the ancient Aztecs, he received most of his education on "Born: Little Rock, Arkansas. Little Rock Barracks, Pulaski Co. Schools: 3 years public school; 2 years private school; 4 years normal school; 2 Years private study; 3 months special preparation for admission to West Point." Why was Japan . . _ (Continued) Nagasaki which were "too gllostly to look at" terrified the Japanese to submission. 7. The material and fighting resources of the country were so undermined by June (1945) that it was impossible to carry ·on the war to a successful conclusion. 8. The Russian declaration of wa~ against Japan forced Japan into the "worst international Gituation." In an interview given to the; United Press, Admiral Yonai, seven-time navy m1nister and onetime premier of Japan tolQ the world that Japan made a serious mistake in starting the Pacific War. He said that fuel shortage prevented Japanese navy from challenging the American fleet in marching across the Pacific except in the desperate Second Battle of the Philippine Sea from October 22 to October 25, 1944. According to Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, ambassador to the United States at the time of Pearl Harbor, said that America's industrial ingenuity and technical progress contributed greatly to Japan's defeat. Nomura saia that Japan lost the war when the Americans captured Saipan. 6* As a plebe, Douglas MacArthur roomed at West Point with Arthur P. S. Hyde. He experienced hazings and underwent servitude to upper classmen. The routine which makes or unmakes a man consists of early roll call-rooms put in order-breakfastmoming classes - military training-more classes until three o'clock-intramurhis mother's knees. al competition in sports1890. He was considered 0 a well Retreat-lowering flag at educated, well inform-ed sunset-evening meal~all gen.tleman", a good horse- to quarters-taps at 10 P.M. man, a daring i·ider, and a -and -to bed. good shot. 1900. June. He was made Second 1896. He was cadet at the West Corporal of Company D in Texas Military Academy, camp and a drill master San Antonio, Texas. As over the new •plebes. "key tnan" on the undefeat- 1900. September. He was promoed teafil · of the academy, he ted First Corporal. Since wore the class numerals. this date until graduation 1898. June 7. Appoillted to West he roomed with Charles F. Point from Wisconsin, Dou- Severson. And then he beglas won the first place in came First Sergeant of the examinations with thf Company A, and, when he remarkable grade of 9~-1,'2 became first cl8.6sman, he per cent against the next became First Captain. highest of 77.9 per cent. 1903. June ll. As Number-OneProfessor McLenagan under Man and Cadet First Capwhom he studit!d for the tain, Dougfas was gradUatexaminations while his fa- ed first in his class with the ther was in the Spanish- highest scholastic record in AmeriCan Viar said: 0 He twenty-five years. He won CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW by OONSUELO BANAG Resea-rcli and Curricuhon Division Depart111ent of 111strnction the "Order of General Merit" over Ulysses S. Grant III in 1900, over Charles T. Leeds, Harold C. Fiske, and over Grant III in 1901 and 1903. On his g1·aduation, Douglas was entitled to receive his diploma from his own father's hand. On account of his ill-feeling, however, towards Arthur MacArthu1·, Secretary Taft handed the diploma to Douglas, who received it, saluted as a soldier, ignored Taft's proffered hand, marched straight to his father, placed the diploma in the latter's hand and sat down at his feet. 1903. October. With Company I, 3rd Battalion of Engineers; at Guimaras Island, Douglas received his baptism of fire. One day as he and the rest of the first detachment were at work clearing the jungles, subduing guerilla savages, and laying the foundation for civilization in giant forests, a fusillade roared. His peaked campaign hat was hit by a bullet. Had it · been one inch lower, it would have passed thru his skull. 1903. October-March. He received his first commission in the ·Philippines. 1904 - 1905. Father and son, then General Arthur MacA r t h u r and Lieutenant Douglas MacArthur, were sent as military observers to Japan during the RussoJ apanese War. There the young lieutenant observed the Japanese army, its strength and its methods of warfare. He saw not only the war in all its fury, but also the ruthlessness, the brutality, the relentlessness of the Japanese soldiers. FEBRUARY, 1946 1906. 1908. 1911. 1912. It was ulso at this time that Lt. Douglas MacArthur was appointed Aide to President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House. 1914. June 28. Captain MacArthur was called to Washington to work at the War Department on the General Staff as Chief of Censors. After the Armistice, both 1914. father and son were sent September. He was sent to help quell the uprisings :ilong the Texas border. Here he displayed rare courage when he disguised himself as a vagrant and penetrated the enemy lines. He was mainly resp_onsible for the capture of three locomotives behind them. on "important missions to Siam, Java, Malay States, Ceylon, India." September 15.· When Alice Roosevelt was married to Congressman Nicholas K. Longworth of Ohio,. the young MacArthur was appointed the President's Military Aide, and his father was made Lt. General in the United States Army. To master military strategy and tactics, the Presidential Military Aide resigned and enrolled at the Engineers' School of application. He became an instructor at Mounted Service Schools from 1908 to 1910 and again at Army service Schools at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1911. February 27. The young lietJltenant was made captain. September 5. While he was still on duty at Port Leavenworth and his brother, Aitliur -MacArthur, Jr., wU on duty as Lieutenant Commander at Naval College, Newport, Rhode Island, General MacArthur, their father at their celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the famous 24th Wisconsin, died surrounded by ninety grand old warriors. The Captain hurried home to Milwaukee to attend his father's funeral and heard the tribute paid by · General Charles King: "Beyond all compare, he was the scholar of the army, the best read, and the best informed ... His glorious soldier work was done. He has lived to earn every honor open to the soldier of America today-last of our illustrious line of Lieutenant Generals." 1915. 1917. 1918. December 11. Ile was made a major. When America declared War against Germany, Major MacArthur was in service at the War Department at Washington. August 5. He became the Chief of Staff of the Rainbow Di vision formed by Baker from the National Guards of the 48 states and was given the rank of Colonel. December 7. Debarkation across the Atlantic. In this memorable year of bitter fighting in France during World War I, Colonel MacArt)jur showed unusual bravery and came out as Brigadier General with two Distinguished Service Cross Medals. During the winter he trained his troops despite the inclement cold, and in February he fought valiantly with them at Luneville and B&ccarat. On March 9, he was cited for gallantry when he led a terrific assault at Rechicourt. Although he suffered from severe gas poisoning he refused to go to a hospital. In the spring, on Jwie 26, he was made Brigadier General in the National Army. Soon aft~·. he saw bitter fighting at the EspecanceSouain sector, at the Marne defensive, at Champagne as well as at the Aisne-Marne (Continued on the next page) *7 Milestones in the • (Continued from page 7) offensive. He and his m~n drove the Germans back in the second Battle of the Marne. 1922. He was ordered to return to the Philippines where there was an important military job to be done, because he was considered the only man who could do it. 1925. January 17. He was promoted Major General 1927. He was made Commanderin-Chief of the Military Order of World War I. 1928. As President of the American Olympic team, he went to Holland. His men brought honors in running broad jump, shotput, and pole vault. 1930. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the United States Army. 1933. April 26. Before the Committee of Military Affairs in the American CongriesE at Washington, he spoke in favor of a big nationa} army. He pointed out the biJlions of dollars America would have to pay for every· million saved on inadequate preparation. 0 In ca.se of defeat," he said, '•America would be a slave in every way." 1935. Douglas MacArthur, The Chief of Staff, scored a personal triumph when both Houses of Congress approved $755,000,000 for the rehabilitation of the Army. It was also during this eventful year that MacArthur accepted the post of Field Marshall of the Philippine Army. To raise, train, and equip an adequate force for the defense . of the Philippines thus became MacArthur's responsibility. 1937. April 30. At the chapel of the municipal building in New York, lfe exchanged marriage vows witll Miss 8* 1941. 1942. 1942. 1942. 1944. Jean Faircloth, whotn hr met on board the ship when he was enroute to the Philippines in 193&, During the ceremony, perhaps he felt that his mother's spirit was somehow present,- as it was she who encouraged the romance. July 26. With the war 1944. clouds thickening in the once-peaceful horizon, the United States Congress ap- 1945 . pointed MacArthur Commanding General of The Far East Command with headquarters in Manila. It was then when he promised: "These Islands must be and will be defended. I am here by the grace of God. This is my destiny." January 26. his birthday fire against in Bataan. He observerl 1945' with artillery the J apanes.e March 11. The orders from President Franklin Delanc Roosevelt had to be obeyed; so General Douglas MacArthur, accompanied by his wife and his son Arthur, the boy's amah; and the nineteen most valiant warriors, boarded two mOiquito boats bound for Australia where MacArthur had to asswne command of the United Forces of the Southwest Pacific. How his heart yearned for the dauntless Bataan boys and the gallant forces still fighting at Corregidor! March 27. In the midst of the welcome accorded tc him as a hero when he landed at Melbourne, Austr8.lia, MacArthur remembered the Philippines. He said, ·"I came through and I shall return!" This gave the Fiiipinos renewed hope. October 20. After landing in Leyte, MacArthur stood on the beach before a microphone and spoke slowly: "Th1s is the voice of Free1945. dom. I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand agaln on Philippine soil ... The hour of your redempfion is at hand. Rally to me. . . Follow in His name to the Holy Grail of righteous vict~ry!" December 15. General MacArthur landed his forces at Mindoro. January 9, At long last, a, landing was made in Luzon. Seventeen days befor.e his sixty-fifth birthday, he sef foot once more on tlte island which he left almost three years ago. Through the hills and valleys came the news: "MacArthur has returned!" August 10. MacArthur was informed that Japan had asked Switzerland to notify the United States, Russia and England that Japan would accept the terms of the Potsdam Conference. It was here in Manila that the General received the news. September 2. The J apanese signed the terms of surrender at Sagami Bay with MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allies. Filipino mothers who lost their sons in our fight for freedom agai,;st the brutal and relentless Japanese have not forgotten and will long remember the General's message: "To the weeping mothers of the dead I can on1y say that the sacrifice and halo has decended upon their sons, and God will take them unto Himself." On January 26, 1946. peace be unto all these weeping mothers, peace be unto all the gallant sons, peace to all the worla-and to the greatest general of the World War II in the Pacific-peace, joy, and a long happy life 1 CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW Significant World news Roundup .... CHINA The greatest problem of China IS· national unity. Lin YU.tang in his book The Vigil of <i Nation, published in 1944, wrote that the problem Of C.hina's unity is exclusively the problem of Chinese Communists. The Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Parties havd the same fundamental aim: the improvement of the fot of the people. The difference lies in the method of aehi~ving this goal. After the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, steps were taken by Generalissimo ChiangKai-shek of the National Government and Mao Tze-tung of the Communist regime to discuss the problem of national unity. The two great Cli.inese leaders agreed that the Kuomintang and Commui nist Parties would cooperate on an equal f'Oofing in the reconstruction of China and that all political and non~political groups would confer on the participation of both parties in the Central Government. China. The program includes: (1) ing the discussion, the Security democratization of politics, (2) Council voted to let Russia and nationalization of troops, (3) Iran conduct direct negotiations to equality for all political parties, settle the Iranian dispute. This ( 4) full freedom for the people, decision is considered as the first ( 5) fair dLvision of the powers of major success of the UNO. the government, (6) improvement . . . of the conditions of labor, (7) eco- . Chma and Siam signed a trea;y nomic recon.structioil, (8) tax re- intended to. pr?mote peace. Tne forms (9) fight against usury two countries agreed to preserve and (10) extermination of J ~ perpetual peace and everlasting' nese influence, apa amity. The treaty will ~ontinue In closing the political confer- in force for au indefinite period. ence, Genei.·alissimo Chiang-Kai- On January 29, 1946, announ.ceshek a:anounced the. end of a one- ment was ~~leased that Kmg party rule. This meant the end A.nanda Mah1dol, 21-~ear ruler of of the rule of the Kuomintang Sia~, opened the parliament. :he . . . Parliament has placed first which had ruled Chma smce 1928. among its main ta·sks the instiIRAN tution of constitutional reforms Iran is the official name for that would establish a democratic Persia. It is located in the Mid- goverrunent for Siam. dle East. British and Russian CA.MBODIA troops entered Iran on August A treaty granting full autono25, 1941. The country was occu- my to c.ambodi"I :.was signed betpied for military n~cessity. A ween Prmc~ Momreth of Cambotreaty of alliance was signed by dia and Gener~l Alessandri, ComIran with Russia and Great Bti- missioner 0£ the French Republic. tain. Under the terms of the The agreements are significant The peace talks between the two alliance Russia a n d Gr eat in that they provide not only for parties did not immediately bring Britain agreed to respeet the the independence of Cambodia the solution of national unity l:.-e- territorial integrity, sovereign- but also for the establishment of cause civil war broke. Several ty, and , p 0 Ji tic a I independ- a democratic government. It was weeks after the outbreak of the ence of Iran. This ·alliance was agreed that (1) Cambodia should civil war, however, practical steps signed on January 29, 1942. be given complete autonomy; (2) were taken to solve once for all Cambodia should adopt a demothe problem of national unity; The Russian. armies occupied cratie government by drafting a After 18 years of civil strife and the north and the British and constitution that would limit the suffering, the Chinese decided to United States armies occupied the powers of the ruler and would achieve the ideals of the Chinese south. The countries agreed to guarantee the rights and freedoms Republic. leave the country by March 2, of the people; (3) the constituTruce negotiations were begun. 1946. tion should be ratified by the deOn January 10, 1946, the 38 dele- The occupation brought about a legates of the people; (4) there, gates to the Political Consultation serious p~oblem. The Iranian gov- shoW.d be freedom in the provinConference met, The delegates ernment complained that the Rus- cial administration. li~ened to the announcement of a sians were responsible for the re- SAKHALIN AND KURILES bill of democratic rights granting volt in the northern prov1nce of One of the "sec;:ret" agreei;nents civil liberties, releasing political Azerbaijan and that the Red Ar- reached in the Yalta Coriference, prisoners, establishing local self- lily fo·rces obstructed the Iranian held from February 4 to Fel;>ruary government and insuring equal military units in suppressing the 11, 1943, was the" disposition of rights for all political parties. revolt. Sakhalin and the Kuriles. SakThe delegates agreed to abolish Various proposals were made to halin (Karafuto) was formerly the maintenance of private armies investigate the dispute. The Ira- owned by Japan. It is the southand to reorganize the government. nian government brought her com- ern half of the island of that The historical Political Consul- plaint to the Security Council of name, below the 50th parallel. It tation Conference laid the ground- the United Nations Organization was ceded to Japan by Russia in work fqr a broader democracy in in its first session, After hear- 1906 after the Russo-Japanes~ FEBRUARY, 1946 *9 Current Events Review Published Monthly for High School Students colonial peoples has been taken up FRANCE by Great Britain. British Prime On January 21, 1946, Gen. Minister Ernest Bevin announced Charles de Gaulle resigned as in the General Assembly of the president of the French govern· Diosdado G. Capino United Nations Organization that ment. The resignation was Editor Britain would give independence prompted by his disagreement D. R .. Manlapaz to Transjordan. Although Trans- with the Communist party on imPublisher jordan is an Arab state within portant issues facing the cOuntry. 123_125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila the Palestine Mandate, yet it has It was announced that it would be - - - - - - - - - - - - - always been separate from Pales- impossible for Gen. Charles de tine since 1922. It was also an- Gaulle to remain President as long World News Roundup . . • nounced that Britain would place as the Communist party refused (Continued) three African mandates under the the continuance of the three-\'arty War. In March, 1944, Japan sm.·- trusteeship system. These Afri- coalition government. rendered to Russia coal and 'Jil can mandates are: Tangayika, On January 24, 1946, announceconcessions on the. northern or the Cameroons, and Togoland. Th.., ment was released that Felix Soviet half of the Island. In re- main object of the trusteeship sys· Gouin was elected head of the turn for this concession, Russia tern under the United Nations new French government. He won granted to the Japanese a five- Chal'ter is to promote the politic- 497 votes out of a total of the 555 year extension of the fisheries al, economic, social, and educa- votes that were cast. According pact signed between Russia and tional advancement of the inhabit- to the new interim President of Japan. This enabled Japan to ex- ants of the trust territori~s and France, the principal problem \1f ploit the .rich fishing grounds off to bring about their progressive the nation is the "franc." If the the Kamchatka peninsula. development towards self-govern- government would not be able to Secretary of State James F. ment or independence. fight inflation, the country might Byrnes revealed on January 30, SPAIN face bankruptcy. Gouin urged a 1946, that the Big 3-the United Spain is again on the news spot- 40% cut in the budget to solve States, Russia, and England,- light. Seiior lndalecio Prieto, partly the financial problems of agreed at Yalta to give Russia leader of the majority section of the government. permanent possession of Sakhalin the Spanish Socialist party, urged GREECE and the Kuriles. the holding of a plebiscite. The One of the important problems KOREA main object of the plebiscite is to of post-war Greece is the forma· In the Moscow Conference in find out whether the people of tion of a cabinet that would bring December, 1945, the Big 3 agreed Spain want a monarchy or a re- stability to the government. It to establish a five-year trustee~ public. was announced on January 12, ship for Korea. This step puts in·· Don Juan, pretender to the 1946, that a coalition cabinet was to effect one of the declarations Spanish throne, has prepared his approved by Regent Archbishop of the Big 3, released at Cairo on plans for the future of Spain in Damaskinos. December 1, 1943. The Cairo Dec- case the people chooses a monar- Greece succeeded in obtaining a· laration states that the United chy. His plans include the fol- $25,000,000 loan from the United States, China, and England are lowing five basic principles: determined to make Korea in due 1. A state should be establish- States. The loan, extended by the course free and independent. ed. The rights of the people Export-Import Bank, would help The announcement of the Mos- should be respected. The laws ap- Greece solve her economic problems. Greece, however, was warncow decision on the trusteeship ~roved by the king and legisla- ed b the United States to " ut ar.oused protests from ~orean pa- t1ve assembly should be respected her :ouse in order" if she ex !ts tr1ots. The d~onstrat10ns and by the peopl~. :he people should to secure additional help. P The protests were quieted down "'.hen elect the legi~lative aasembly. United States has also a ointed th_e. headquarters of the Americ"n 2. Separation of the s~ate a~d six men to help the deleg~~ion of m1htary government assured Dr. the chunh. Monarchy will lie m th U •t d St t b th Kim Koo that the object of the authority. ~o~din;1 0~ the :ie:~iono i~er~:eece~ trusteeship is to prepare the Ko- 3. Agrarian reforms will be reans for eventual independence. introduced. One of the reforms is JAPAN On February 7, 1946, the first the appropriation of large estates. Two important directives were step in the establishment of a 4. The ancient privileges 1.Jf issued by Gen. Douglas MacArprovisional government accord- aristocracy will be modified. thur in order to carry out the pro· ing to the Moscow Conference was 5. Freedom of religion will Ue vision of the Potsdam Confertaken up. guaranteed. "Priests should be ence on Japan. The first directive GREAT BRITAIN put in churches and soldiers in ordered the abolition of at lea•t A milestone in the history of the barracks." (Continued on the next. page) 10* CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW World News Roundup •.. (Continued) of special residential and purchas- Keeping Up with the Time ing rights by Soviet citizens ~n (Continued from page 2) 27 organizations. These organizations were ultranationalistic. Some several northeastern provinces of sell, a former lawyer and judge, Manchuria. and Fraulein Christa Schroeder, ARGENTINA of them were secret military or- The United States government ganizations. They were greatly pubJished a "Blue Book," making responsible for the development public the documents that proveof blind nationaTisin - a type of Argentina had collaborated with nationalism that disregards the the Axis during World War II. rights of other nations. Among The 1'Blue Book" cites several exthe important organizations that amples of how the leaders of Arwere abolished were: the Black gentina, especially Colonel Juan Dragon Society, the Greater East Peron and the late president RaAsia Association and the Anti- mon Castillo, helped to establish Communist League. an anti-American bloc in the wesThe second directive ordered the tern hemisphere by helping the i·emoval of all persons ui the gov- Axis. Tfie United States governernment who had 1Jeen active leaJ- ment also made it clear that Arers and ·Supporters of nat:~nalistie gentina had followed a policy of and militaristic doctrines and giving "positive aid" to the Axi'3. aggression, and prohibits the for- GERMANY mation of political 11arties and The Germans in the United societies fostering the following: Stafes zone in Germany had their (1) resistance or opposition to the first free election in 13 years Allied occupation, (2) aggressive since the abolishment of democracy Japanese military action abroad, by Hitler. The election was held (3) Leadership of the Japanese to choose town counsels for comamong Asiatics, Indonesians, and munities with population of less Malayans, ( 4) exclusion of for- than 200,000. The decision of the eigners from commerce and trade, American authorities to let the (5) opposition to free cultural people choose the town counsels is and intellectual intercourse with the first important step in the other nations, (6) military train- program of reviving democratic ing and perpetuation of militar- processes. It was estimated that ism, and (7) assassination and about 300,000 Germans had voted terrorism. in the election. RUSSIA INDONESIA one of Hitler's four personal women secretaries who had worked for him since 1930. Some of the materials were taken from Erich Kempka, Hitler's personal chauffeur since 1932; Gretel Fegelein, sister and confidante of Hitler's mistress, Eva Braun·; Frau Marie Schiffler, wife of the superintendent of Hitler's Munich apartment, who had known Der Fuehrer since 1929; SS officer Mansfeld, a member of Hitler's bOdyguard; and Dr. Feodor Bruck, a friend of Kaete Hausermann, assistant to Hitler's dentist, Dr. Hugo Blaschoke. The article states that SS Officer Otto Guensche was in command of the defense of the government quarter in Berlin. Germ-an casualties were tremendous. At 2 :30 in the afternoon of April 30, 1945, Otto Guensche was standing in the conference room at the Fuehrer's bunker when he heard two shots. He plunged into the door and saw Hitler and Eva Braun dead. The two were buried in the garden. Even after the feature article had appeared in Collier's many still believed that Hitler was not dead. They held the opinion that Russia recently held an election. Indonesia was the focus of Hitler perhaps had escaped to JaGeneralissimo Josef Stalin re- World interest in the month of pan or Argentina. The Russians ceived 100% votes. This means Feb1·uary. Dimitri Manuilsky, also held tbe same view. On Jan· the people support his policies. heiid of the Ukrainian delegations uary 2, 1946, the newspaper One general result of the election to the UNO demanded that the "France-Soir" reported that the shows that the people suppo11ed UNO should send a commissi.on to body of Adolf Hitler was discoverthe Reds. Among the Soviet war probe the British intervention in 'ed by the RU.ssian high command leaders who were elected to the Indonesia. He specifically made on December 19, l945. The body Supreme Soviet are Timoshenko the charge that British troops had was found buried in an armored Zhukov, Malinesky and Vorishil- been fighting Indonesian troops. shelter in a garden a ;short distoff. This, according to the Ukrainian ance from the Reich chancellery. In the recent negotiation~ bet- delegate, is against the principle The identification was made by ween Russia and China over Man- of the Atlantic Charter. Mc.re- Hitler's dentists who had examinchuria, Russia made the following over, Manuilsky said that Japa- ed the teeth. important ,demands from China: nese troops were urged against - - - - - - - - - - - - - (1) Complete economic coopera- the Indonesians. The plan was vt- of the UNO decided to reject the tion between Russia af'd China in gorously opposed by British For- demand of Dimitri Manuilsky to Manchuri~; (2) a safety "corri- eign Minister ·Ernest Bevin on the send a UNO commission to invesdor" leading to Pbrt Arthur and ground that the sending of the tigate the situation in Indonesia. Dairen and maintenance of "gar- commission would violate the Out of the total of 11-nation risons" in this "corridor," (3) So- right 'Jf the Netherlands govern- members of the Security Council, viet control of water traffic b ment to deal with the problems of only Russia and Poland voted in the northeast; and ( 4) enjoyment Indonesia. The Security Counci1 favor of Ukraine. FEBRUARY, 1946 *II REVIEW OF CURRENT IDEAS Scientific Thinking and the Pseudo-Sciences by SCHOLAPIUS It has often been said that this with a scientific attitude do not is the age of science. The age of science to whom? To only a very small portion of the earth's popuJS.tion. It is the age of science to those who have devoted and are devoting their whole time and energy to the discovery of new scientific formulas, principles, and l&ws, and to the. invention of new machines and devices. To these men and women whose heart and soul are imbued with the s11irit of go to soothsayers, palmists, astrologers, phrenologists, and physiognomists in order to have their fm:tune told or their character traits read. From the standpoint of science, these are all rubbish which should be cast to the scrap heap. While they may afford some sort of pastime or entertainment, they should not be allowed to befog our thinking. scientific sacrificial service, thi~ "Bootleg" psychologists are age is truly the age of science. But wont to prey upon the ignorance to most of us, who are mere con- and credulity of people Dy posing sumers and not producers of as ·experts or "doctors" who .ui:: science, this so-called scientific able to foretell what the future age is but an age of mysteries and has in store ior any one and to confusiOn,-mysteries because the read the handwriting on the wan~ principles underlying all these new of time. They have reaped a rich discoveries and inventions are be- harvest from their charlatanism. yond our comprehension, and con- It is strange liow peop1e continue fusion because we are bewildered to flock to their gullible ministraby a plethora of scientific products. tions. It seems as if men delight We hai(e not as yet, fully acquired in listening to nonsense lies about the true scientific spirit; nor have themselves even at the expense of made full use of science in our their hard-earned cash. ways of living and thinking. Our thinking is clouded by irrational Astrology is the oldest among beliefs and age-old preconceptions· the pseudo-sciences. It attempts and prejudices. Perhaps, it is nc to associate the fortune and charexaggeration to ·say that a Jar~ acter traits of an individual with biological inheritance and his en· vironment, physical as well spirit· ual? The stars may constitute a part of his environment, but they are too remote to exert any decisive influence upOn his character. Another pseudo-science . is p_al· mistry. This has a large following among the- ignorant. Like ns· trology, it is again a case of illogical thinking, of inability to see the connection between cause and offect. How the lines on the palm of one•s hand has come to be as· sociated with his character or with his ftiture is beyond imagination. Calligraphy is also another "bootleg" scienre. Followers of this pseudo-science presume to be able to tell the character trait• of a person by his handwriting. A f:itory is told of a clerk in a certain company in the United States who had been dismissed by his managP.r after fifteen years of efficient service, simply because his handwriting had been found by a calligrapher to :reveal murderous tendencies. What a tragedy in the name of science! proportion of the ills and troubles the stars that are believed to gov· Phrenology is another pseudo· of the present day are lraceable to ern the events during certain davs science which has a large followfalse, prejudiced, and generallj' of the months and certain months ing not only among the ignorant unscientific thinking that prevails of the year. We are all familiar but also among the hi~hly educatamong us. If we had cultivated in with such books as they carry ed. Phrenologists profess claim to ourselves a true scientific attitude. these 8.ttractive titles: 14Were You have the power to tell the charWe would not tolerate for a mo- Born in January?" "Were You acter traits of a person by study.ment the fantastic orgy of black Born in February?" "Were You ing the "bumps" and irregularities market, or the equally fantastic Born in March?" and so forth. Not of his skull. They hold that cerexcesses of racketeering and cloth- only ·are these sold in bookstores tain· portions of the brain govern sale scandals. Individuals who are and magazine stands, but are some religion, patriotism, generosity, in the habit of thinking straight of the best sellers. in the market. kindness, love of children, crimindo not engage in shady business While the predictions and pro- ality, and the like. To make their dealings. They do not mortgage nouncements in these books may point clear, they provide an Ala.their land just to be able to bay furnish a healthy entertainme11t bo1·ate chart showing the specific expensive cars and other luxuries we should not give much credit and areas of the brain where these beyond their financial resources. credence to them. How can ther~ traits are supposed to be located. They do not spend their money for be a causal relation between a star If, for instance, the skull projects things aboU.t which they know no- and the development of character over the brain area assigned fot· thing, .such as worthless and posw traits in an individual? Cha1·actAr patriotism, the person is said to itively harmful nostrums, beauty qualities develop as a result cf be patriotic; if it is depressed, he aids, and quack remedieS. Persone the interplay of an individual's is unpatriotic. In al.her words, a 12* CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW SCIENTIFIC THINKING ••. (Continued) person is or is not according as his skull bulges or is depressed. Physiognomy is another pseudoscience, the follOwers of which claim to have the ability to read the character of a person by studying his physical features, especially those of his face, suc;h as the mouth, eyes, nose, ears, chin, hair, and so forth. This reminda me of an incident that happened in a court-room. While the trial of a culprit was going oii, a strangt?r stepped in to witness the proceedings. "How ugly is the criminal! Look at his face," he whispered to the person next to him. "P-s-s-t/' answered his neighbor, "that is the judge." Indeed, we cannot judge persons by their facial features. A study has been made to disprove the claims of phrenologists and physiognomists. Cleeton .and Knight, who wanted to know the validity of personal judgment, employed the criteria used by phren~hutaiion m t4e ~ efus -Rise of Racial Intol.,,.ance The progressive educators of the world are apprehensive on the question of tolerance. A concrete effort was taken by the Council Against Intolerance in America in 1939 to foster tolerance. The Council suggested four approaches and specific procedures to help teachers meet the increasing daa~ ger to our democratic ideals of equality and mutual tolerance. The Associated Press announced on October 15, 1945, that many American educators are voicing their fear that racial and national intolerance are on the rise. The National Education Association, for instance, fears that bitte.rness against Negroes, against the white population, against 'foreigners,' against liberals, against capital, against labor, against the government seem to have been heightened by conditions growing out of the war. Ref<Wm in Japanese Education The Japanese educational system will be reformed on the basis of the sweeping educational changes prescribed by Gen. MacArthur. According to the directives issued by Gen, MacArthur the following important points should be effected: 1. Abolition of military instruction in all schools. 2. Abolition of ultra-nationalistic doctrines which were compulsory in the education of the J apanese students. 3. Prohibition of discrimination against teachers on the grounds of race, nationality, creed, ·political opinion or social position. 4. Encouragement of free discussion of the content of the mate(Continued on pa[le 14) ologists and .physiognomists. For ------------------------~-subjects 'they had students belong- and physiognomists are f~llacious. Besides, outstanding examples can ing to different fraternities and In the first place, they assume be cited of eminent men whose sororities. They made accurate that such character· qualities as skulls or brains were small as commeasurements of the skulls and love, jealousy, pugnacity, genero- p.ared with those of other men of other physical features of the.se sity, perseverance, and so forth medioCre or low mentd.l ability. students who were afterward judg- .are localized; that is, they lie in There was Daniel Webster who ed as to the presence of certain certain "spots" of the brain. While had a brain of ordinary size and character traits by their mates it is true that there are specific a skull unusually large. There was and by seventy men experienced areas for hearing, seeing, tasting, Spurzheim, a famous German in interviewing applicants for etc., as well as motor areas, scien- scientist, whose skull was as large positions, like business men, tific evidence has not yet demon- as that of an imbecile named school superintendents, and em- strated that such traits have spe- Joachim, and whose brain weighed ployment managers. The judg- cific locations in the brain. In the six ounces less than that of the ments of the fraternity and second place, they presuppose that imbecile. In the fourth place, sorority mates as well as the the more frequently a certain part they draw their generalizations experienced interviewers were of the cortex or gray matter is from a few isolated cases which correlated with the physical mea- exercised, the thicker it becomes, happen to harmonize ·, with their surements. The correlation coeffi- in the same way as exercise -in· prognostications. From the standcient was only a little better than creases the siz@ of the muscles. point of science, it is very danpure chance. In some instances, the 'I'his is a wrong analogy. Just ns gerous to generalize from very in· coefficients were negative. If close frequent electrical impulses can adequate data. If s,mples are to associates and expert interviewers make a ccpper wire thicker, so fre- be made at all, the samplings can not tell exactly what the cha- quent exercise cannot make the should be random, representativ.,e, racter traits of a person are by brain larger. In the third place, and adequate and the observastudying his physical features, how these pseudo-scieTI.t1sts advance the tions derived therefrom should be can phrenologists and physiogno- notion that if the brain increases tested as to their validity, for it mists, who are total strangers, do in size by exercise, it will soon may happen that upon repetition the same accuracy? bulge outward, thus forcing the of the sampling under the same cranium to expand. This argument conditions, what is found may be There are four reasons why the is absurd, since the brain is not in reversed or even entirely obli~ pronouncements of phrenologists immediate contact with the skull. terated. FEBRUARY, 1946 *13 Education in the News ... (Continued) rials of instruction. 5. Preference in the appointment of teachers who have liberal and democratic views. Exchange of World Ideas and Knowledge The United Nations Information Service has released through the papers the objectives of the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization. The main objectives of this organization according to Dr. Grayson N. Kefauver, an American delegate to the conference in_ London, are : 1. To lay the foundation of agreement in men's mind and use the wealth ot knowledge for lasting peace, greater cooperation, and improvement of the living standards among the peoples of the world. 2. All channels of communication will be used to let people of all groups and all occupations know about the technical skills, ideas, beliefs, likes, ways of doing things, creative achievements, thoughts, character of people in other lands. Organization of a World Educational Agency The organization of an educa - tional agency has been approved by 44 members of the United Nations. The agency is fo be known as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organiz~ tion (UNESCO). What are Some of the important projects of the new universal educational agency? 1. Removal of illiteracy and misunderstanding. 2. Development of common faith and confidence. 3. Wider ~xchange of sc1iolars and teachers: 4. Books and educational materials wilr be sent to all countries. Among the p.ressing problems of the UNESCO are: 1. Rehabilitation of damaged countries. 2. Provisions for immediate assistance in the restoration of looted libraries and bombed schools. 14* SECRETS OF THE WAR UNFOLDED How did magic serve the Unitedwas the first decisive defeat sufStates? fered by the Japanese Navy in One of the top secrets of World 350 years. It was ·a significant War II was revealed by Gen. battle because it put an end to George C. Marshall in his testi- Japanese offensive action, It also mony before the Congressional restored the balance of power in committee investig(!.ting the Pearl the Pacific. Harbor disaster. The secret was 3. n was also this machine that the use of Magic. enabled the United States to know What is magic? the size of, the Japanese . forces The United States hig\l ·com- that landed on Attu and Kiska. mand succeeded in making a ma- 4. The raids of Admiral William chine that automatically intercep- F. Halsey on Japanese shipping in ted the messages sent by the Ja- Manila in September, 1944, were panese. This machine is called based on valuable information acMagic. It faithfully recorded the quired through the use of Magic. secret messages sent by the Japa- Two big Japanese convoys were nese high command. This device caught and destroyed by Admiral enabled the United States to stu- Halsey's carrier pilots. dy patiently, and finally to deci- 5. The deciphering of Japanese pher, the Japanese secret code. messages from Tokyo proVed valWhy was the magic valuable? uable in directing United States This decoding machine was submarine. The advanced posimore valuable than paid spies. By tions of the !;>Ubmarines enabled the use of Magic, the United them to sink many Japanese conStates high command was able to voys. know many of the diplomatic and The sacrifice of personal interest military messages of the enemy for the welfare of the nation from Tbkyo. In the presidential election camJVhat valuable information was p8.ign of 1944, Gen. George Maracquired by the United States? shall wrote two letters to Repub1. Because of this machine, the lican candidate Governor Tomas United ,States high command ac- Dewey that the United Statts quired vallJ.able information on the Army had b r 0 k e n the J ap · movements of the Japanese Navy anese "ultra" -code. He requested and Army. The United States sue- Governor Dewey not to revea1 the ceeded in deciphering the Japanese fact that the United States Army message in connection with the had succeeded breaking the JapanBattle of the Coral Sea. This in- ese code. Governor Dewey mig·ht formation enabled the United have won the election by telling the States to win a decisive naval vie- American public that the United tory. The battle was the first States Army had broken the J apgreat modern sea battle fought anese code and therefore the govwithout surface ships coming ernment could have ,taken proper within the range of one another. steps in preventing the Pearl Ha1·The Battle of the Coral Sea mark- bor disaster. The main reason ed the t\lrning point of the tide for Gen. Marshall's letters to Govin favor on the United Nations. It ernor Dewey was to keep the secchecked the Japanese advance to ret, for the Japanese did not know the south. that their code was broken. More2. This machine enabled the over, General Marshall believed United States to know the exact that the secret would be valuable size of the Japanese naval forces in saving many American lives. that would attack Midway. This Governor Dewey sacrificed his perinformation enabled the United sonal interest for the welfare of States to set an ambush to the the nation. The top secret, the Japanese naval forces. The Bat- Magic, was kept out of the electle of Midway (June 3-6, 1942) tion campaign. CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW THE BIG NEWS OF 1945(Continued froui the1 Ladt Issv.f.) LABOR PROBLEMS were drafted. The proposals be- that had guided England in her came the basis of the United No,- darkest hour became His Majesty's The end of the World War II tions Conference on International Loyal Opposition. has brought many problems most prominent of which is the conflict between labor and capital. Thi? reconversion (return to peacetime economy) program in practically all nations faces this revolutionary problem. In the United States this conflict has become nation wid-?. The General Motor strike alone affected 175,000 workers. Lately, union after union followed suit in demanding for higher wages. Most of these demands have not been met by the capitalists, and the number of strikers has now reached an alarming proportion. The strike is significant because aside from the demand of an increase in pay, it tries to set a precedent by asking the company to open its books so that the employees can determine the capacity of the company to pay the workers. it is interesting to n0£e the argument presented by the leader of i;he General Motors strike that an increase in the pay for the workers of the vast motor industry would be beneficial to the country to higher production and abundance. The General Motors strike is significant because it sets the pattern for other strikes in the future. LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR JNTERNAT!ONAL PEACE The United Natons even ·before the war was ended, had already entertained and studied va1'ioua suggestions for iaying the foundation of a lasting peace, because they saw how tragic it would be to win the war and lose the peace. A conference was held at Dumbarton Oaks at Washington D. C. from August 21 to October 1, 1944. It was attended by the representatives of the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and China. Pruposals for the establishment of an international organization under the title of the United Nations FEBRUARY, 1946 Organization in San Francisco. 0n Apl"il 25, 1945, the peaceloving nations of the world met at San Francisco tc. lay the foundations of the United Nations Or·· ganization. Conferences, meetings, 11egotiations, and decisions were made on vital problems affecting the peace and security of the world. After many weeks of discussion, the m:.tions agreed to build the United Nations Organization. The UNO will maintain international peace and security, take collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace and the suppression of acts of aggression, and bring adjustment or settlement of internation3.1 disputes er situations by peaceful means and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. The UNO will also develop friendly relations among uations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination oi peoples, and promote international cooperation in solving internatonal problems 'lf economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms. THE BRITISH LABOR LANDSLIDE One of the political events that shocked the world was the British Jabor landslide ic1 the last election. The election brought Bi:itish so· cialists to power for the first time in 14 years. The Labor Party candidates received 12 milljon votes and 388 seats. The Conservatives received some 9 million votes and 193 seats. The world is watching the new British labor government. Winston Churchiil, "Architect of Peace," that had brought England to victory and INVESTIGATION ON PEARL HARBOR DISASTER On December 7, 1941, the J apanese attacked Pearl Harbor. From the decks of the Japanese carriers roared 300 planes hurling bombs, bullets, and tOrpedoes. The American navy's ships, docks, and airfields were attacK:ed. Five battleships were sunk or put out of commissions, three cruisel'S were damaged, three destroyers were sunk. The Army lost 97 of its 273 planes. Over three thousand men were killed or reported missing. The attack on Pearl Harbor became the rallying cry of the Americans. On August 29, 1945, the day chosen for the Allied landings in Japan, President Harry S. Truman released the report on investigations conducted on the treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor. Actually the long-awaited report cdnsisted of seven separate reports. The nation had already read and discussed the report. But were not satisfied with the report. They demanded for a thorough Congressional investfgation. In November, 1945, the Congressional Conunittee on Investigation of Pearl Harbor began its hearings. A rema!",kable comment 1:m the investigation reads: 0 1n the days and weeks to follow, history would be dragged up . from the dark corners, dusted off and laid out on the committee fable for the world to read." TRIAL OF NAZI TOP WAR CRIMINALS AT NUERNBERG The International War Crimes Commission has eS'tablished the definition of a war crime, and classifies war crimes, unto the following: (1) Crime against peace, 1.e., planning, preparing, initiating *15 BIG NEWS OF 1945 •.• INCREASING OUR READING POWER (Continued) and waging wars of aggression; (2) violation of the laws and customs of war, i.e., maltreatment of prisoners of war and civilian in oc· cupied countries, plundering and wanton destruction of cities, or devastation not warranted by military laws; (3) Crimes against hwnanity, i.e., murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation or persecution. On November 21, 1945, a history-making trial started at Nuernberg, Germany. Nuernberg was once the seat of Nazi pomp and glory. Now it is the scene of trials that were "unique in the history of jurisprudence." The members of the International War Crimes Tribunal are listening to the trial of 20 top Nazi war criminals against civilization. SIGNIFICANT TERMS IN CURRENT NEWS lnflation.-Inflation is an increase in the currency sufficiently large to bring about, within a relatiVely short time, a marked rise of prices. Defla,tion.-By ·deflation we mean an arbitrary or planned decrease in the volume of money or of bank credit, accompanied by falling prices. Fiat Money,-Fiat money consists of irredeemable paper money issued by financially embarassed governments as a result of the breakdown of the ordinary monetary systems. Reconversion.-Return to a normal peace time economy. Relutbilita,tion.-Restoration of the economy of one's country. Redeployment.-Shifting of the armed forces from the theater of operation to the home country. Surplus Property.-Property in excess of the military needs or requirements of the army (from military point of view) . Pilfering.-Stealing; filching. Puppet.-An official used as a tool of another government tc carry out its wills. Kalibapi.-" A poiltical associa· tion organized at the instance and with the active support of the Imperial J'8panese Army in the Philippines for the purpose of doing away with the different political parties existing in the Philippines." Makapili. - An organization which is "military in character" one of the purposese of which was to collaborate unreservedly with the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. It was, U. S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson who succeeded in defining the law that made possible the prosecution of slaU.ghtered, would be left with a world community is in its birth the German leaders of aggression disentigi·ating sense of futility, a process. With the atomic bomb and oppression. Justice Jackson lack of faith in the meaning of ci- we revolutionized the art of war. said, "the persecutions of the vilization." With this· trial we revolutionize the art of peace." German leaders of aggression and The Nuernberg trial "is the grmtest enormity on religious, po- first step toward establishing baslitical and racial grounds, the ic legal and moral tennets, which break-down of trade unions and shall transcend the legal and morthe liquidation of all religious and al code of any particular nation. moral influence was not the legiti- We mean business when we demate activity of a state within its clare that universai peace and orown boundaries, but was prepara- der are essential and that we shall tory to the launching of an inter" use the might of the United Nanational course of aggression and tions to assure them. We are a.cwas with the evil intention, openly tive agents of a world society expressed by the Nazis, of captur- whose moral demands have now ing the German States as an in- become legally enforcible." strumentality for spreading their The real complaining party ~n rule to other countries." the trial, says Justice Jackson in One essential condition of world a 20,000-word indictment of a peace is th.e building of the cus- once powerful group of men is citoms and habits of a peaceful vilization which is still a "strugworld order. The reign of law gling and imperfect thing." "The and order must be the ·prime ob- conscience of mankind," asserts jective of every government. The Jerome Frank," is not, from now laws and the courts help in tlie on. to be a mere sentiment, a vagbuilding of these customs and ue aspiration, fitful and often fuhabits. The Nuernberg trial will tile in its manifestations. It is have an important moral effect on expressing itself in concrete su~ civilization. If the top Nazi war pernational governmental action. criminals would not be punished, Thus we begin to establish, on a "the host of the living victims, the solid foundation, a vigorous global l·elatives and friends of the society with a global law. A POST-WAR UPHEAVALS AND PROBLEMS The First Conference of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in London failed to lay the groundwork for the solution of many European proOlems. Tliere- are many sore spots in Europe. There is the question of bouhdaries, the restoration of certain· territories, the form of government and restoration of democracy. The Potsdam Conference has, however, outlined the settlement, of some of these problems. In the Orient there is a general political upheaval. The Javanese have revolted against the Dutch and have established a republican revolutionary government; the Anuamites are demanding for broader and better concessions from France; lndi~ is demanding complete independence from Britain ; Korea opposes the trusteeship system; China is determinedly fighting for national unity and freedom fr6m foreign interventions. 16* CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW a school magazine in the National Lan~uage published specially for students and teachers. Published as a contribution to a national effort. Special featuJ"es - 1) For non-Tagalogs: Easy and instructive lessons for beginners in th<': National Language. 2) For Tagalogs: Lessons and exercises prepared and arranged in clear, concise and methodical way ;-a modern grammar presented according to a unit plan. 3) Correct usage and idioms. 4) Interesting materials for literature classes; - conversational as we!! as dramatic methods of presentation utilized. 5) Adequate vocabulary and glossary as an aid to comprehension. 6) Varied materials for elementary school teachers. Every item published in each issue is complete and ready for use by both students and teachers. Watch for our special April issut!. National Language instructors who have heretofor·e been handicapped by the lack of teaching materials may request for free, complimentary copies of Inan~ Wika for· examination . .4 vailable at leading booksto1·es. * If you,. dealer cannot supply you, please notify us. MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 ll2ten Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines Philippine High School Series Cu-mulative Unit System Outlines of Lessons and Reference Materials based on the Courses of Study prepared by the Bureau of Education, Manila Published as a contribution to common effort, Educational Rehabilitation. Textbooks and Outlines: * Economics * Philippine Social Life * Oriental History Magazines: • Iming Wika * Current Events Review * Tagalog * Biology * World History * Literature and Composition Also available: In press: * Review Arithmetic * Review Mathematics * Reading Methods * Algebra * Educational Psychology * Trigonometry * Child Study * Differential Calculus * Laboratory Physics * Integral Calculus (College) * Gen. Science (Lab. Manual) Available at leading bookstores. If your dealer cannot supply you, please notify us. MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. Editors-Mimeographers-Process Printers-Bookbinders Artists-Designers-Illustrators 123-125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila