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FLAG MAKES
HISTORY
Union Jack Flies
Over Singapore
From Our Special Representative
SINGAPORE, Sept. 13.
Plying over Singapore is the
Union Jack, which the Japa-
nese forced the British to carry
through the street of the city
-when Singapore surrendered
in 1942. It was hoisted In the
Padane—the square outside die
municipal building—at a dramatic
little ceremony, following the Japa
nese surrender.
Standing on the steps of the
building after having read bis
order-of-the-day. ordering the
firmest measures against Japanese
"obstinacy and Impudence," the C
in-C .South-East Asia <Adml. Lord
Louis Mountbatten) paused and
said:—"Now we are going to per
form a unique ceremony."
The Supreme Commander faced
the Padang. where a composite
guard of honor representing the
whole of the South-East Asia Com
mand, and including Australian
paratroops, was drawn up. Thou
sands of Malays and Chinese
packed the square and filled the
neighboring buildings. liberated
prisoners of war and internees were
given a grandstand view from the
verandahs of the municipal build
ing.
AdmL Mountbatten related how,
following Che British surrender,
when the Union Jack was carried
through the streets with a white
flag. British officers told toe Japa
nese thst all Union Jackrhad been
burned. But this one had been
saved and hidden by en officer In
the Chanel prison camp, where It
was used for three and a half years
for the funerals of Allied soldiers.
-Now," added AdmL Mountbat
ten, "the <i?p has been handed to
me to hoist in the Padang."
Massed Bonds
With the chiefs at bis farces tfae
Allied Commander marched down
the steps, faced the flagstaff and
saluted. The guard of honor pre
sented arms and massed hpnri?
played "God Save the King" as a
naval rating slowly hauled the
Union Jack up to the peak, and
"broke" 1L The bands then played
the national anthems of the
United States, China. Holland >nrf
France.
The Supreme Commander was
given a terrtflc ovation by the crowd
as he drove away, and a few
minutes later the crowd greeted the
Japanese envoys departing tram
the surrender ceremony with bowls
of derision.
The round-up of Japanese war
criminals is in full swing. One of
the first to be arrested was Gen.
Salto, who is now in gaol He was
fyymmpnrtftt^ of win tiie prison
camps In Malaya. Salto waa very
angry when ordered to carry bis
own bags to the cells.
"I can promise you that It there
is toe slightest evidence that any
iffiMHi fr^ti wirffiHni>ri^i My wEUi the
Kempt (Japanese secret police), lie
w&l be arrested and saoted pend
ing his trial.*' said a British major
general yesterday.
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