"I Thank You!"

The rude scaffold stood in a Philippine cane field near the old Japanese torture camp of Los Banos. In the early morning (3:02 a.m.), under the glare of three floodlights, Lieut. General Tomoyuki Yamashita strode up its 13 steps, his big bulk dressed in a U.S. Army fatigue outfit --the symbol of military disgrace ordered by his conqueror, General Douglas MacArthur.

As he faced about to receive the rope, a Buddhist priest heard him voice a wish "for the Emperor's long life." Then justice, if justice it was, overtook the Tiger of Malaya.

In his final written statement before his execution, Yamashita seemed to hold no grudge, not even against the order stripping him of his uniform and medals (although no similar ignominy seemed to be planned for General Masaharu Homma, who had ordered the Death March). Wrote Yamashita:

"I don't ashame in front of God for what I have done when I have died. But if you say to me, 'You do not have any ability to command Japanese Army,' I should say nothing for it. because it is my own nature. Now our war-criminal trial going on in Manila Supreme Court, so I wish to be justify under your kindness and right.

"I know that all you Americans and American military affairs officers always have tolerance and rightful judgment.... I never forget what they have done for me, even if I have died. I don't blame my executioners. . . .

"I thank you."

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