Many of our friends have been taken into concentration for questionings. They are all interned in one of the lovely big universities here near New Manila, and have received the best of treatment.
A Japanese Captain his interpreter and men came this afternoon at 2:30 and inspected our house, took names and asked many questions. All was done in the nicest way and with the greatest courtesy. The children passed cigarettes to the men, and pretty soon they were trying to learn Japanese. In fact, they had so much fun in such a gay way that once I saw the Captain rise and look out the window to see if all was well. When they left they placed a sign on the side of the front entrance which below the Japanese superscription reads as follows:
By order the Imperial Japanese Army duly seized these premises or properties being hostile possessions or suspected hostile ones. Anyone who touches these shall be severely prosecuted, according to the Military Laws.
January 4, 1942
Commander-In-Chief of Japanese Army
We were told to all stay home. What the sign means, we do not know, but others do not have it. And so we feel that it is a good omen. The only thing we had that they called for was a couple of cameras. These they locked in an upstairs safe and sealed with their sign.
The Elfstroms and Doyles, our dear friends, were interned today.