The next item on the programme of the Liberators of East Asia' and creators of the Co-Prosperity Sphere' was to squeeze every cent they could out of the Chinese community. A few days after the fall of Singapore selected leaders of the Chinese community in the city were summoned before Lieutenant-General Yamashita and his staff. The general, banging on the table, is reported to have shouted at them: "The Chinese in Malaya deserve to be put to the sword! They have shamelessly supported the British and Chung-king!' A compliant Chinese is alleged to have replied, "Your Excellency, we will give the Japanese the same support. We will give the Imperial cause a part of our properties straight away"What'! the General is said to have thundered, 'a part of your properties! Why, your lands, your houses, your wealth, your shirts, even your lives, belong to us How dare you say you will give us a part of your properties!" Whether or not the story is true does not much matter. It is true in the sense that it correctly represents the Japanese point of view. The only difference of opinion they might have had among themselves was how best to milk the Chinese of their wealth. The Chinese leaders were then told that a"gift' of had been decided upon and that the allotment by State and Settlement was to be as follows: