Premier Tozyo reiterate pledge

Title

Language

English

Source

The City Gazette II (4) February 16, 1943

Year

1943

Subject

Philippines--History--Japanese occupation, 1942-1945

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

T H E c I T y G A z E T T E In The Shortest Possible Time CHRONOLOGY January 21, 1942-Premier Tozyo told the Diet regarding the Filipino people: "Japan will gladly enable them to enjoy the honor of independence." January 28, 1943-Premier Tozyo pledged "Philippine independence in the shortest possible time" with "further tangible evidence of cooperation." The Director General of the Japanese Military Administration in the Philippines issued a communique on Premier Tozyo's statement, stating the 3-point cardinal program for the achievement of independence. January 29, 1943-The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Forces in the Philippines charged the Filipino leaders with the specific responsibility of closer and more intensified cooperation. January 30, 1943-Chairman Vargas, KALIBAPI Director General Aquino and Commissioner PREMIER TOZYO REITERATES PLEDGE PREMIER General Hideki Tozyo, addressing the House of Peers on the Slst session of the Imperial Diet which reconvened on January 28, after the New Year's recess, declared that through the brilliant victories achieved by the Imperial Forces which secured strategic areas and ample resources in East Asia, Japan has already, in the first year of the war of Greater East Asia, completed the basis for certain victory. Two points featured the Premier's speech. They included a promise of independence to Burma within this year and a reiteration of the pledge made last year to grant independence to the Philippines if the Filipinos cooperate with Japan in the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Indicating that Burma and the Philippines are rapidly attaining their place as full-pledged members of the great family of Oriental nations joined in the common 1628--2 Laurel responded in a nation-wide radio hookup. Col. A. N agahama, chief of the Japanese Military Police in the Philippines counseled misguided elements obstructing "independence in the shortest possible time." February 1, 1943-Chairman Vargas cabled Fili- ~ pino gratitude to Premier Tozyo and wired congratulatons to U Ba Maung of Burma for the independence of Burma at the end of this year. The Philippine Executive Commission, the Council of State and the Manila city officials passed gratitude resolutions. February 8, 1943-300,000 people in Manila paraded at the New Luneta to thank Nippon for the pledge of independence in the shortest possible time. Similar demostrations were simulta. neously held in different parts of the Philippines. bonds of friendship and good-will, Premier Tozyo took time out to express his satisfaction for the rapid strides being made in both countries under the able leaderE? .a..c... ship of Premier U Ba Maung of Burma and Chairman Jorge B. Vargas of the Philippines. Honors War Dead Tendering profound respects to the spirits of the brave and loyal men who died in the field of battle and syrripathy to the wounded and sick, the Premier said: "The Empire of Japan is now in the midst of a war unprecedented in scale against both the United States and Britain, which vaunt wealth and strength to the world, in order to .destroy their sinister ambitions to dominate the world. Needless to say, it has been the great ideal of our Empire since its founding to enable all countries each to find her proper place and all tlie peoples to enj6y their lives in peace and security. [ 99] "The object of the War of Greater East Asia lies indeed in speedily stabilizing Greater East Asia and constructing a new order on the basis of ethical principles and thus in bringing about real world peace, in cooperation with our allies who share the same purpose with us." Premier Tozyo was gratified that the southern areas are already whole-heartedly cooperating in the new construction. Their inhabitants are entering a happy reassuring life hitherto unknown to them, and Japan is"-steadily producing concrete results in making their _ lands and life peaceful. THREE-POINT CARDINAL PROGRAM FOR EARLY INDEPENDENCE T HE Director General of the Japanese Military Administration, reaffirmed Japan's basic policy of granting independence to the Philippines, in a communique read before a group of Filipino leaders at the Manila Hotel on January 28, and presented a three-point cardinal program for the attainment of Philippine fredom at the earliest possible time. The Director General emphasized that in order that independence can be granted, Filipinos should strive, firstly, to eradicate all entanglements and connections with the past regime; secondly, to initiate ways and means of bringing about economic self-sufficiency; and thirdly, to work for the speedy reorientation of the people both spiritually and materially. He affirmed that the question of when independence is to be granted is now up to the Filipino themselves, and that if they "desire complete independence in the shortest possible time, it behooves them to demonstrate by tangible evidences a more intensified degree of cooperative attitude." Filipino leaders at the gathering received the pro'nouncement with great joy. They marched out of the hall de~rmined to bear the heavy responsibility placed COMMUNIQUE OF THE JAPANESE MILITARY .ADMINISTRATION PREMIER General Hideki Tozyo, in his address before lhe Slst session of the Imperial Diet, now convened, made the following solemn and irrevocable statement concerning the future political status of Burma, the Philippines and India. On Burma1. In view of the magnificient and tangible evidence of sincere and whole-hearted cooperation rendered by the entire population of Burma acting in complete unison under the inspiring leadership of Dr. U Ba Maung, Burma will be granted independence not later than the end of this year. On the Philippines1. Substantial progress is being made in the degree of cooperation rendered to the Japanese Empire by the He paid tribute to the development of peace and order in Burma under the leadership of U Ba Maung, and promised: "Our Empire not later than :fue end of this year intends to recognize the creation of Burma State from the areas now under the jurisdiction of the present administrative organ." Repeats P. I. Stand Premier Tozyo reiterated last year's declaration that Japan is willing to accord the Philippine independence "in the shortest possible time" if the Filipinos cooperate with Japan in the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. on their shoulders by the Director General when he said: "It is my fervent wish that through your concerted efforts the cherished ambitions of the Filipino people for centuries will materialize i:n your own generation through your own efforts, and that the history of Philippine independence will be written down for posterity by you gentlemen present here." About 30 ranking Filipino officials and leaders, headed by Chairman Jorge B. Vargas of ~e Executive Commission, were invited to the Manila Hotel to hear the Director General's communique. Among them were members of the Executive Commission and of the Council of State, and directors of the KALIBAPI. All the ranking officials of the Military Administration also attended. The ceremony opened at 6: 34 p. m. with the reading of the communique by the Director General, followed by it~ translation into English. Chairman Jorge B. Vargas responded, urging all Filipinos present to drink a toast in appreciation of the assurances made by the Director General. people of the Philippines as well as in the r~storation of internal peace and security. Under these circumstances and on condition that further tangible evidence of cooperation is actively demonstrated it is contemplated to put into effect the statement made previously on the question of Philippine Independence in the shortest possible time. On India1. Positive and wholehearted support will be granted to the Indian Independence Movem:ent regardless of whether such movement is carried on inside or outside; of India pr9per. Years of Oppression Thus,,, in accordance with the -present official .pro .. nouncement of the lm,perial Japanese Government, the [-100]

pages

99-100

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