Father Emmanuel Hanquet writes,

MAIN SWITCH

During the second winter in camp, we the 12 fathers who remained in camp, were living in block 56.

We used to celebrate mass in the early morning, but that was before the council of 1965 authorizing us to celebrate together in one mass. So at that time we needed around one hour and a half to do so, before going to our daily occupations. Consequently we needed light around 6,30 a.m. The main switch for electricity was located in a cabin situated 50 yards behind our block .While watching the going off the Japanese guard we had noted that one of them came early in the morning to give light to our quarters at 7 a.m.

Being in need of light before that time, Father Palmers and "T" decided to go to the cabin which door usually was left half open and to put the switch on in order to give light to the whole camp.

For a few weeks, that worked all right, one day father Palmers did the work, the next day it was my turn. Everything went smoothly till that early morning when "T" saw father Palmers puffing, coming back to our block in a hurry, telling that the Japs were after him. In fact, a little later they came to our block requesting to get the culprit. Father Palmers was taken to the houseguard in the entrance of the camp. The guards started to yell at him and wanted to torture him. Father Palmers remained stoique. They put chopsticks between his fingers, and while pressing the whole hand, were ragously moving the chopsticks between his fingers.

After that they took him to the Jail where he had to stay one or two days. Since that day, we never got light before seven a.m., sharp. There was no more volunteer to try another attempt.

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