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Second Statue of Liberty to Stand On Corre^dor as War H Memorial^ V,'- AjCerrvgldor—her* Americons put up one off fhote herotc stands during World War IIBy RAYMOND WILCOViOeniral Prow Asaociation OorrcapondentWASHINGTON—An Impreaalve memorial to democracy and to the men who helped^reserve It will riae on blood-aoaked Corregidor in Manila bay.Here, In the harbor of New York, a Statue of Liberty will welcome incoming ships and planes and the people tbey bring tothe Orient from all over the world.Congress has created a nine-member commission to establish. In co-operation with the Republic of the PhlUpplnes, a memorial tothe brave men who fought and died on ^taan and Corregidor Inthe dark days of 1042. j « * xrThe American group is known as the Corregidor Bataan Me-moiial commission and is headed by Plmmet O'NeaL second United States ambassador to the Philippines and former congrcssmnnfrom ICentucky.*'It Is hoped and expected- to erect, explained O’Neal, on the very highest point of Corregidor, which rises 600 feet out of Manila bay, a most beautiful and appropriate building.•‘This may be surmounted by a Statue of Liberty, similar to the Statue of Liberty In New York harbor.Such a symbol of mankind’s struggle for freedom, casting its light across the China sea, on the doorstep of continental Asia, should bring hope and better understanding of democracy to the millions who view it or know of It• • •O’NEAL pointed out that the island of Corregidor is at the entrance of Minlla bay. only three or four mllei from the heights of Marlveles at the southern tip of Bataan. 'It was here that the death march began which resulted in death or imprisonment for thebrave FUipino^a^kk^merican,defenders of Bataan.The former ambassaobs^.^d the monumental building ^at will rise on Corregidor will commemorate the sacrifices, accomplishments, and high purpose of America and the PhilippinesIn the Pacific war,• • «O'NEAL said It would also serve as a library, archives, museum and possibly as a center of enlightened thought in behalf of liberty and peace.’The commission has estimated that the memorial will cost about 66 million. It is contemplatedthat the Malinta tunnel will also be restored and that appropriate markers will be placed there to tell the story of the last stand of the American and Philippine defenders before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese.The Malinta tunnel served fora time as the capital of thePhilippine government and here was centered in early 1942 all that was left of American authority.On July 4, 1946, the commonwealth of the Philippines, established under the aegis of the United States, became an independent nation, but Corregidor remained under the American flag until Oct. 12, 1947.• • •THE ISLAND was turned over to the Philippine government in a formal ceremony at which O’Neal represented the United States.Pre^ldeht Magsaysay now has set aside Corregidor to be preserved as a shrine. He has appointed a Philippine commission to co-operate with the American group. The commission Is headed by Secretary of Defense Sotero B. Cabahug.Congress has not appropriated any funds for the actual construction of the memorial. It is contemplated that the necessary money will be raised by public subscription.O'Necil pointed out that the Statue of Liberty In New York harbor was financed by the school children and citizens of France. ,The Corregidor monument azi4. building will be a continuing re-: minder, said O'Neal, of the true meaning of democracy and how far the United States and the Philippines went to preserve individual liberty for mankind, especially In Asia. i
Newspaper Details
Leesburg Lee County Journal
Leesburg, Georgia, US
Fri, May 04, 1956
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
NM, USA 06 Aug 2018
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Leesburg Lee County Journal
