[BlitzburghBucco]

PRESIDENT WILL REPLY TODAY TO JAP DECLARATION OF WAR

Heavy Loss Reported To Army and Navy In Attack On Hawaii

WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec.8 (AP) - Bombs from Japan made war on the United States today and as death tolls mounted President Roosevelt announced he would deliver in person today a special message to Congress

In the background as the commander-in-chief went before the joint session of the House and Senate was a Government report of "heavy" naval and "large" losses to the army.

Whether Mr. Roosevelt will ask for a formal declaration of war by this country, to match the action taken in Tokio, was left uncertain after a hurriedly summoned meeting of his cabinet and congressional leaders of both parties tonight at the White House. Also uncertain was whether that declaration might extend to Japan's Axis allies, Germany and Italy.

Congress Will Give Approval Quickly

It was clear from a statement made by the participants, however, that Congress would be requested to adopt a resolution of some nature, and equally clear that it would quickly give its approval. A request for governmental power equivalent to that under a war declaration was expected as a minimum.

War came suddenly to the United States early yesterday afternoon. Without warning, and while Japanese diplomats were still conducting negotiations for peace, the Japanese air force struck at Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and Hickam Field, all in the Hawaiian Islands. Soon afterward, Japanese bombs were raining upon Guam and, later, portions of the Philippines were attacked.

As quickly as word of the first bursting bomb was received, the President as commander-in-chief called upon the army and navy to repel the attack. Far in advance of any action which Congress may take today, the United States was fighting an attack.

British Parliament Called

Tokio later announced its declaration of war on this country, and Great Britain as well. As was the case here, the British Parliament was called into special session for this afternoon to take action.

Quickly, many of the discordant elements which have been bickering over foreign policy for months, united in a solid front of support for the war. Senator Wheeler, Democrat, Montana, issued a statement declaring his support, and General Robert Wood, chairman of the America First Committee, made a similar declaration.

At the same time, the other republics of this hemisphere were rallying to the support of the United States. Canada declared war on Japan and so did Costa Rica. Mexico unhesitaingly[sic] ranged itself behind its northern neighbor. All the nations of the continent were officially informed of Japan's "treacherous attack" and the state department reported a heartening number of immediate sympathetic responses.

Battleship Rumored Sunk

And America's Allies in this war, too, were busy. In addition to the preparations for today's Parliament meeting in London, the government of the Dutch East Indies declared war on Japan.

Out in the far Pacific, meanwhile, American soldiers were dead or dying. War department estimates said that 104 service men had been killed on the Island of Oahu alone; with more than 300 wounded.

There was heavy damage in Honolulu residential districts, and the death list among civilians was large but uncounted.

The reference to "heavy' losses to the nave came from the White House itself, and led some to connect the phrase with recurrent unofficial reports that a battleship of the line had been sunk. There were unofficial reports, too, that a Japanese aircraft carrier had been sent to the bottom.

It was calm, unhurried capital that went to war today, a capital completely devoid of parades, cheerings[sic] and the usual exuberant outbursts of demonstrative patriotism. A cluster of people, peering through the pickets of the White House fence, and special guards posted at some buildings was the only outward evidence of what had taken place.

Surprise Raid Launches War

To start the struggle Japanese planes bombed Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and Hickam Field, Hawaii, without warning. In a broadcast frm Honolulu, some 350 soldiers were reported dead at Hickam Field, with numerous casualties at other points of attack.

At first the white House announced that Manila had been bombed. But the Associated Press correspondent there reported that Manila was quiet, and the White House later said it had been unable to get substantiating reports of this attack on the Philippine capital although Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur subsequently reported raids on army bases in the islands.

Shortly after the Hawaiian bombings became known, the Tokio government announced that Japan had entered a state of war with the United States and Great Britain as of 6 a. m. Monday. (This would be 4 p. m. Sunday, E.S.T.).

As day broke over the Far Pacific, the White House announced that Japanese planes had also attacked the American-owned island naval base at Guam. Just previously the Navy had told of an unidentified squadron of planes appearing over the island. No further details were available.

But President Roosevelt hardly waited for the Japanese declaration. As soon as he hard of the bombing he ordered the Army and Navy to carry out previously prepared and highly-secret plans for the defense of the country.

Army airmen engaged Japanese fighting planes over Honolulu. In the city below them, the White House said, a heavy loss of life had been inflicted, together with extensive damage to property.

The Capital went onto a full wartime basis within an hour after the attacks were reported. IN addition to the President's orders to the Army and Navy, Secretary Simson ordered the mobilization of all military personnel. All officers were ordered to report in uniform.

Troop and Ship Movements Secret

Provost Marshal Guards, wearing steel helmets and carrying rifles, were stationed about the war department and other important centers.

And, from the war department came an announcement to the press that all information regarding the "strength, location, designation, composition, and movement of United States troops or army transports outside the continental limits of the United States are designated by the war department as secret and will be so considered under the law."

The meaning was plain: Any publication of such information would be followed by prosecution.

The Capital was amazed and surprised at the day's tragically dramatic developments. At most a Japanese attack of Thailand had been foreseen. That the Japs had attacked the distant Pearl Harbor stronghold and Honolulu seemed incredible.

Jap Envoys Excoriated by Hull

Apparently at almost the exact time of the Pacific bombings, the Japanese embassy called the state department for an appointment which carried the futile peace negotiations of the last few months to a fitful and flickering conclusion.

Tokio's two ambassadors here, Kichisaburo Nomura and Saburo Kurusu, were seeking an appointment. They arrived 20 minutes late for it and Secretary of State Hull kept them waiting for 15 more before receiving them.

Gone was the blithe breezy aplomb, which had characterized their numerous previous visits to the department. There was tight-lipped, almost embarrassed smile for newsmen, and an absolute refusal to answer questions. Kurusu paced the diplomatic reception room. Nomura sat solidly upon a leather divan, only a frequently tapping foot betraying his perturbation.

Finally they were admitted to the secretary's office .To him Nomura handed Japan's reply to this country's formula for peace in the Pacific. Gravely, Hull read it. Then the secretary of state turned toward the Japanese ambassador and in a "tone of the greatest indignation," as the department later described it, told him he had never seen a document so "crowded with infamous falsehoods and distortions." Wordlessly the Japanese left.

It was apparent immediately that the nation was uniting for the struggle ahead, forgetting the bitter battle of words between those who had opposed the administration's foreign policy and its supporters.


© Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 8, 1941