Carefully and lovingly collected things from America, Japan, China, India, Spain, and other countries. And all of my things, to me, were lovely and very dear. Our furniture was mostly hand-carved and hand-made from Philippine mahogany. Many pieces were antiques of great beauty, and many of the pieces were made to measure so as to offer greater comfort to the one for whom it was designed; some of the pieces were gifts from dear friends. And I treasured every piece of it; some of the donors have now departed. The most of our silver, china, crystal, and objects of art were wedding gifts. Such pieces could not be replaced-as sentiment goes. So when we left our home that day of internment we had seen for the last time those possessions which we loved. Three bags of clothing and food was all we were allowed to take with us. We do not know what became of household and personal possessions we left in our home. All is lost-and such a loss as this is great.

Not only were the homes of the internees ravished but business houses as well; all a complete loss. Property was confiscated and every asset stolen. Not an item seemed to have escaped those ravaging hands.

We, in Santo Tomas, felt that, in a way, we were holding the front lines. There is no way of knowing, but I feel sure that our mere presence in that dreary camp upheld the faith of the Filipinos in America and the American way, and made a very great deal of difference in the general welcome and support given our troops on their victorious return.

America has traditionally stood for justice and fair treatment. There are those who have given their all in that internment camp. And there are those who came out of it who will never be whole again. May I call attention to my own lameness. This was inflicted by a piece of Japanese shrapnel during the shelling of the camp after the American troops had arrived. I have been told not to expect to ever walk properly again. My aunt by marriage was brutally kicked by a Japanese official and it is expected that she will spend the remaining years of her life in hospitals due to this injury. She is a widow; her possessions, her life's savings, and her earning capacity are all gone. I do not feel that it is the American way to let one pay so dearly for their patriotism without some compensation.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any questions, gentlemen?

(No response.)

The CHAIRMAN. We thank you, Mrs. Olsen, for the statement that you have made, and regret the inconvenience it may have caused you to come to Washington for the purpose of giving your testimony. Mrs. OLSEN. I thank you.

The CHAIRMAN. Mrs. Rosie Rosenbaum?

STATEMENT OF MRS. ROSIE ROSENBAUM, NEW YORK, N. Y.

Mrs. ROSENBAUM. I am Rose Rosenbaum, of 154 East Ninty-first Street, New York City, N. Y.

As one of the 5,000 American civilians who suffered irreparable loss and damage both to my person and property on American soil in the Philippines, through the action of the Japanese Government, I take the liberty of addressing you.

Prior to the attack on the Philippines, I was a resident of the Philippines since 1930, and from 1932 maintained and owned a specialty shop for women known as Rosie's Frock Shop at the Bay View Hotel, Manila, P. I. In 1938 I caused to be constructed my own building at 214 Dewey Boulevard, which I occupied until January 2, 1942, the day I was ordered by the Japanese to vacate, leaving all my personal possessions, merchandise, complete equipment of my shop, and so forth, behind. The day following I was taken prisoner at Santo Tomas and was kept as such in Santo Tomas prison until the day of liberation by the Americans on the 3d day of February 1945, a period of 37 months in all.

During my internment, I lost 35 pounds in weight, developed a severe case of bursitis, and lost a great number of teeth due to malnutrition.

I was returned to the United States April 9, 1945, wearing the necessary clothes given to me by my own Government, and with nothing else.

The total loss I sustained in my building, which was demolished as a result of the war, my complete inventory of furniture and fixtures in my shop, my furniture and furnishings in my home, and, in fact, all my personal and business possessions totalled approximately $100,000, which has been fully inventoried, as filed with the United States Government, War Damage Corporation, from which, I fear, I can expect no payment. During the 3 years of internment I was naturally deprived of my business income, which on an average of the preceding years, was at the rate of $125,000 a year.

Having been a resident of the Philippines and knowing the Filipinos as I do, I feel that it was advantageous to our American Army that we Americans did not abandon the islands, because it gave the Filipinos the assurance that the United States was with them 100 percent.

I feel that if we had abandoned the Filipinos, our American Army would have suffered even greater losses than they did.

Since, as American civilians, it was never suggested that we return to the States, for reasons best known to our Government, nor was any warning given to us prior to the attack on the Philippines, I feel that prompt action should be taken on behalf of all the Americans who suffered mentally, physically, and financially at the hands of the Japanese.

As a result of the mental and physical suffering, I have been informed by my physician that my health, due to the hardships suffered, will never permit me to return to the Tropics to reengage in my business in order to earn my living. My state of health will not permit me to earn sufficient for my keep; and I am still under medical and dental care.

Therefore, I must look to the United States Government for prompt action, and my course naturally is through you as my Congressmen. May I express to you now my grateful appreciation for any efforts that you may make on my behalf.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any questions, gentlemen?

(No response.)

The CHAIRMAN. We thank you, Mrs. Rosenbaum, for your appearance here today.

Mrs. ROSENBAUM. You are welcome, indeed.

The CHAIRMAN. We have heard from many witnesses who have laid emphasis upon the physical tortures that they were called upon to endure. I have had the feeling that while they have spoken merely of physical tortures that there was in the background undoubtedly a loss of a material character.

I am very glad that in your statement you have seen fit to give some indication of the loss that you have sustained, because I believe it is indicative of the loss that others who have already testified and that will testify, have suffered even though they may not have made specific reference to the amount.

We thank you.

Mrs. ROSENBAUM. You are welcome.

The CHAIRMAN. Susie H. Dudley?

Mrs. Dudley, will you give your name and address?

STATEMENT OF MRS. SUSIE H. DUDLEY, ARLINGTON, VA.

Mrs. DUDLEY. My name is Susie H. Dudley, and I live in Arlington, Va., 1403 South George Mason Drive. I had been living in Cavite in the Philippine Islands. My husband is a civilian employed by the Navy, and we had our home in Cavite in the Philippine Islands. We went out there in April.

We had gone out in 1935. My husband had gone there in 1934 and I joined him in 1935 to make our home in Cavite. We had our home.

In January 1941, we had a small son born, and we had lived there all this time. In February of 1941 we requested transportation from the commander in chief of the Asiatic Fleet to send us home, the baby and me. We had no response. The baby and I stayed on.

Toward the beginning of December 1941, we noticed there was a little unrest around Cavite, and knowing that if any trouble did come, naturally we would be in the center of it, being in the naval station.

So Mr. Dudley sent us up to Baguio, away from the military objective, a small island. On the morning of December 8, with no warning whatsoever, around 8: 30 in the morning, the Japanese came over. I was on the road with the baby, taking a walk in the sunshine, and of course, we did not know the war had been declared. I fact, it was before war had been declared, and the planes came over and bombed. The "small fry" was injured in the left knee. He, as a result, is now wearing a brace. His little left leg is 2 inches shorter than his right leg, which difference will continue until the child is grown.

I was injured. I lost my right leg, injured in the left leg and in the right eye.

The Japanese came into Baguio and took us to the hospital-we were in the hospital when the Japanese came over and took over Baguio. We stayed in the hospital until January 29, while I was still suffering with a dressing on my left leg, and took me into the Baguio

camp.

My baby had bacillary dysentery and would not let me go with him at the time. He was brought in on February 6. We stayed there and, of course, after we were interned there were no medical supplies. The doctors who were interned with us did everything they could to keep us going.

Naturally all the time we were not eating. Our resistance was getting lower. The little fellow had no attention for his leg, and we stayed there in Baguio for the first 6 months.

In June 17, 1942, they finally let us go down to Manila where Mr. Dudley had been caught. He had not been with us in Baguio. He was in Manila, and it was rather difficult trying to get along, of course. I had asked to go to Manila. After 6 months they finally let me go down to him.

We stayed in Manila until April 1944, when we were sent to Los Banos. Of course, in the meantime, as all the rest have told you, everything was lost. It was the survival of the fittest. We managed to do the best we could. It is hard to describe, but I think the others can do that better than I.

We were taken then, after 6 months of trying to struggle to get along, the baby and I were allowed to go to his dad and in April 1944 we went to Los Banos, and there we stayed until we had a very spectacular rescue on February 23, 1945.

You all have heard of how we had had no food, how we scrambled to get along in no comforts and crowding together. But that, more or less, in a nutshell, is my experience.

I do not think I can give you any more. If there is anything else I can say I would be happy to.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any questions, gentlemen?

Mr. HINSHAW. Mr. Chairman, could I ask Mrs. Dudley-was her husband compensated by the Government for his loss of wages? Mrs. DUDLEY. For his loss of wages only, that is all.

Mr. HINSHAW. No loss of personal effects?

Mrs. DUDLEY. No. We have received nothing, except Mr. Dudley's back salary, which the Government gave to all employees, I understand.

Mr. HINSHAW. Was there any compensation for physical disability? Mrs. DUDLEY. None.

Mr. HINSHAW. In other words, the only compensation was for loss of wages?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Loss of wages, just his back salary. That is all, that had accumulated in the States, and was given to him when he returned. Mr. HINSHAW. That is all, Mr. Chairman.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any further questions, gentlemen?

Mr. Miller?

Mr. MILLER. Were the wives and female members of the Navy personnel families vacated?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Yes, Mr. Miller; they were evacuated in November 1940. We civilian wives were not. There was no effort made to evacu ate us. My baby was not born then. He was born in January 1941. and realizing how serious it was Mr. Dudley requested our transportation in February, when the child was 6 weeks old.

Mr. MILLER. Were the Navy wives, so-called, sworn to secrecy, or were they permitted to tell their friends that they had been ordered back to the States?

Mrs. DUDLEY. There was no secrecy at all. There were quite a few Navy wives in Cavite before the war, and, when they left, it left the place with very, very few American women. I think, all in all; I am not sure of it, but I think there were 13 American wives left in the community after the Navy wives were taken out.

60002-47

Mr. MILLER. You could just surmise as to why they were going home. You were not told officially?

go.

Mr. DUDLEY. That is it. The "scuttle butt" was that they had to

Mr. MILLER. There was no official notice given to you, for example?
Mrs. DUDLEY. To the civilians, none whatsoever.

Mr. HINSHAW. What was the date of the Navy wives leaving?
Mrs. DUDLEY. November 1940.

Mr. HINSHAW. 1940?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Yes, sir.

Mr. HINSHAW. Not 1941?

Mrs. DUDLEY. No, sir; 1940. Before the war. I am so definite because I say it was shortly before my baby was born, and he was born in January 1941.

Mr. BECKWORTH. Would you have any estimate as to the number who left?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Several transports. It was quite a number.

Mr. BECKWORTH. Several transports for Navy wives?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Yes. Navy wives and their dependents, children, and household effects.

Mr. MILLER. Mr. Chairman, I had not finished.

Mr. BECKWORTH. Pardon me.

Mr. MILLER. Then I take it that all during 1941 this evacuation was going on?

Mrs. DUDLEY. No. It was more or less completed by Novemberbefore 1941.

Mr. MILLER. The war started in December 1941.

Mrs. DUDLEY. Yes.

Mr. MILLER. And it was prior to that?

Mrs. DUDLEY. Yes. It was in 1940 that the Navy wives were sent home.

Mr. MILLER. During that whole year the Navy wives were leaving, or had gone? The year of 1941?

Mrs. DUDLEY. The year of 1941, all those who were being sent home had been sent home, and there were only a few isolated that wanted to stay that managed to stay.

Mr. MILLER. That is all; thank you.

The CHAIRMAN. I have before me a prepared statement of the facts. of the experiences that you and your husband and child had during those tragic days. It relates some details that you have not referred to for one reason or another. I would like to see that your statement is made a part of your record so that we will have details in the case of you and your husband and son.

Mrs. DUDLEY. Thank you.

Earl C. Dudley, age 46; Susie H. Dudley, age 41; and Earl C. Dudley, Jr., age 6. Our present address is 1403 South George Mason Drive, Arlington, Va.; and our home phone, Glebe 440, extension 259. Office phone, Republic 7400, extension 71274.

Earl C. Dudley, Sr., was in Cavite, Philippine Islands, as a civilian employee with the United States Navy as administrative assistant on a 3-year contract basis. His wife, Susie H. Dudley, accompanied him and the permanent home was established at Cavite. Earl C. Dudley, Jr., was born to the above on January 8, 1941.