We were all ordered to police up the prison, and to appear in our
 
best clothes on the appointed date. Our three group commanders were
 
warned very sternly not to talk to the great personage, but only to
 
give a brief but respectful answer to any questions.
 
     Our visitor turned out to be a Japanese general. The
 
Japanese prison officials bowed and smirked obsequiously as they
 
escorted him about. The commander of my group, Lt. Col.
 
Atkinson, Field Artillery, was called forth to accompany the general
 
on the inspection of our group.
 
     Lt. Col. Atkinson courageously pointed out any number of
 
American officers and enlisted men who were too ill to stand in the
 
ranks. "We have very many sick here, he pointed out.
 
     The Japanese general spoke excellent English. He wanted
 
to know why.
 
     Lt. Col. Atkinson accompanied our visitor to the mess
 
barracks. "Here is why," he said, pointing to the noon-day meal
 
of white rice and thin camote-top soup. "We are all starving."
 
"That will be enough," the Japanese general snapped.
 
"Your men are not starving. They need more exercise."
 
    Our group commander tried to say more  The guards 
 
quickly restrained him, and the Japanese general curtly turned on 
 
his heel and continued his inspection with an air of boredom and
 
indifference.
 
     Commander McCoy:
 
     The escape and eventual return of the three Naval ensigns
 
ended with what was the lightest of punishment by Japanese standards;
 
 
                                                - 53 -