My present trip has been prompted by the desire personally to inspect the actual development in the establishment of a new Philippines, to tender appreciation to the Japanese and Filipino people who are devoting themselves in complete unison to the successful prosecution of the war of greater East Asia and the establishment of the new order in East Asia, as well as to exchange frank views with the leaders of the new Philippines.
I have been deeply impressed by the manner in which both the officials and people in collaboration with the Japanese forces are doing their utmost for the construction of a new Philippines and are steadily achieving remarkable results.
Above all, the foresight and courage with which H. E. Mr. Vargas and other members of the administration have faced the situation and devoted their very lives to the work of constructing the new Philippines, ignoring all criticisms and personal risks, are worthy of high admiration. For the progress and prosperity of greater East Asia, as well as for the proper development of the new Philippines this is indeed a matter for sincere congratulation.
The aim of the present war is to bring to their knees America, Britain and Holland, who have long wielded their baneful influence in East Asia and have been given up to satisfying their greedy ambitions at the sacrifice of the peoples of greater East Asia, and to exterminate their influence, thereby establishing a new order based upon ethical principles in which each people therein will have their proper place.
Surveying the circumstances of American occupation of the Philippines we find that America made no scruples to deceive the Filipinos and forcibly annexed their territory against their will. Not only that, America, utterly indifferent to the true happiness and welfare of the Filipinos, used the Philippines merely as a base for further aggrandizement in East Asia. What she has done is nothing less than blinding the Filipinos by materialistic culture and paralyzing the true Oriental spirit of the Filipinos.
While boastfully displaying her materialistic culture, America repressed the sturdy spirit and initiative which are indispensable for the creation and development of a real nation. Moreover, she skillfully manipulated the Filipinos by offering seemingly beautiful but empty promises of independence, while doing nothing to enable Filipino industries to stand on their own feet economically, and under various pretexts she delayed the granting of independence. In short, what America did was to convert the Philippines
into her own colony fearing the awakening of the consciousness and the development of the Filipino people and make it her base for aggrandizement in East Asia.
Centuries ago the Philippines and Japan enjoyed close intercourse in trade and communications. Racially as well as in thought these two peoples closely resemble each other, having characteristically Oriental traits. In the light of this fact as well as their geographical propinquity, it is only natural that they should co-operate in their endeavours for the progress of East Asia. Despite such providence, America, ignoring these truths, repeatedly attempted to alienate Japan and the Philippines by resorting to slander and false propaganda and to promote misunderstanding and strife among the peoples of East Asia. It was indeed a series of despicable and unscrupulous policies.
Once the war started, all the American and British bases in East Asia were completely wiped out and now the power and prestige of the Japanese forces command vast areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Our position of invincibility and sure victory has already been perfected and we are in complete readiness to take the initiative throughtly to crush the fighting spirit of our enemies.
Now, the solidarity of Japan, Manchoukuo and China is increasingly firm. Thailand, already in alliance with Japan, has joined the war. French Indo-China, too, is unstintingly affording us co-operation. As for Burma, under the able and spirited leadership of the chief administrator Dr. Ba Maw, she is wholeheartedly co-operating with us, her independence a matter of imminent realization. Peoples of other regions of the south have regained their true selves under our understanding measures based upon ethical principles and thus the peoples in this region are vigorously marching forward toward the establishment of a new and bright greater East Asia, each people playing their proper part.
In Europe, Germany, Italy and others of our allies are further intensifying co-operation with us and are preparing for coming great offensives. Thus, both in the East and in the West the great march to crush America and Britain is steadily advancing.
I wish to declare once again that Japan, in concert and mutual trust with the one billion people of greater East Asia who have long suffered from the materialistic and spiritual shackles of America, Britain and Holland and who have just been emancipated from their bondage and awakened to their proper mission, is dertrmined to eradicate once and for all the root of long-standing evils in East Asia with the successful prosecution of the war in view and thereby to re-establish these peoples in accordance with their proper inheritance and to secure the permanent peace of the Orient.
It is my earnest expectations that the entire people of the Philippines, appreciating anew the real intentions of Japan, as well as the mission of the Philippines and bearing in mind the honour and responsibility of participating in the war of greater East Asia, will be united as one man and that independence of the Philippines will speedily be consummated at the earliest possible time.