Evening star. [volume], December 08, 1941, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Weather Forecast
Cloudy, moderate temperature, lowest tonight
about 38; tomorrow cloudy, somewhat colder.
Temperature today—Highest. 55. at 3:30 p.m.;
lowest. 30. 12:35 a m ; 54. at 4 p.m.
Frr»m the ûniîea frarrs IVMrnfr Bureau Report.
Fuil Dr'ails on PaRe B-*.
Clostna Ν. Y. Markets—Sales, Page 17.
NIGHT FINAL
SPORTS
Means Associated Press.
89th VEAIi. No. 30,650.
WASHINGTON', D. C., MONDAY, DECEMBER 8. 1041—FORTY-EIGHT PAGES.
THREE CENTS.
* ■
ψ '
Vi
PRESIDENT SIGNS DECLARATION OF WAR;
350 CASUALTIES AS JAPS BLAST MANILA
»
1,500 Dead in Hawaii, White House Says; Battleship and Destroyer Lost
ίΠ
Gasoline Dump j
At Nichols Field
Believed Fired
Philippine Capital,
Blacked Out, Suffers
Terrific Damage'
Japanese bomber*, following
up earlier successes in the two
day Battle of the Pacific, raided
Manila in the darkness of night,
dispatches from the Philippine
Capital disclosed this afternoon.
The heavy attack opened shortly
after midnight Tuesday Manila
time '11 a.m. Washington time.i
Dispatches telling of the raid
I
followed acknowledgement earner j
in the day a' the White House that
the Japanese raid on Pearl Har
bor yesterday had resulted in the
sinking of "one old battleship" and
serious damaee to other war cratt.
There were casualties of 3 000 on
the island of Oahu. the White House
said, and nearly half are dead.
The report from the Philippines
said the Japanese apparently had
succeeded in setting fire to the entire
gasoline dump at Nichols Air Field
350 Casualties RepnrtPd.
There were unconfirmed report» of
pt least 350 casualties at half a
dozen points outside Manila. ?00 of
them at Clark Field, military air
drome 40 miles north of Manila
It also was reported that the
SlJnited States aircraft carrier Lang
ley was attacked twice bv bombers
during daylight w hile lying in Mma
lace B'v an undeveloped naval base
near Davao, Mindanao, in the
jr i ι lupf
Unconfirmed reports said 10.000 of
the 25.000 Japanese who inhabit
the Davao region were armed and ,
ready for action, and it was feared 1
they would attempt to defend their t
holdings.
The Japanese radio reported that
Nipponese warships had surrounded
Guam and said all big buildings on
the island were ablaze.
City Completely Blacked Out.
The raid on Manila, apparently, ι
was extensive. The first air raid
alarms were sounded at 12:40 a m .
Manila time <11 40 a.m.. E S T.».
The densely populated city, com
pletely blacked out. lay under the
bright light of a nearlv full moon.
Yesterday, it was reported, the city
vas saved when interceptor planes
from Clark Field drove off Japan
ese bombine era It
The radio reporter who told of
the attack on the Nichols air field
paid there was a lull in the action
After 3am. Manila time
The anti-aircraft fire reopened,
said the radio reporter. Don Bell.
He added that the fire had died
down at Nichols Field, in the south
ern part of Manila. He continued:
' From what we can see from the
top of this building, the whole sky
is a brilliant red "
A few minutes after the renewed
flnti-aircraft firing, the all-clear
vas sounded.
Smash at Fort McKinley.
The raiders had smashed at Fort
William McKinley and the Radio
Corp of America short wave trans
mitter as well as Nichols Field
Bert Silen. a colleague of Mr.
Ball's, had said earlier that "the
fire is simplv raging out there''
Mr. Bell, standing above a bomb
proof shelter, said the anti-aircraft
fire, in progress for 15 minutes before
he spoke, had quieted down.
A large fire »a< left burning in the
vicinity of Fort McKinley and Nich
ols Field. Mr. Bell said, and gasoline
dumps appeared to be afire. He
Added that the action was •'con
cluded for the present time."
But at 3 32 a m 'Manila time>.
Mr. Bell casually remarked. Per
haps, ladies and gentlemen, you can
hear the sound of tho.se Japanese
ι Sop JAPANESE. Page A-2.i
Barkley Will Give
Picture of War on
Radio Forum Tonight
Senate Majority Leader
Barkley will go on the National
Radio Forum at 9 o'clock to
night to give the country a
first-hand picture of the rapidly
moving events in the sudden
war with Japan.
The Forum is arranged by
The Evening Star and broad
rait over a coast-to-coast net
work of the National Broad
casting System. It will be heard
here over Station WMAL.
The Kentucky Senator will
take as his thei .e "The Ameri- *
can Challenge."
The program originally sched
uled for this evening, in which
Senator Mead. Drmocrat. of
New York and Representative
Ramspeck, Drmocrat. of Geor
eia were !o discuss civil service
problems, is being postponed in
vjpw of the emergency.
****"· · wvmmBiœ* -—ι till ι— ι. m ,__ _ _
"WE WILL GAIN THE INEVITABLE TRIUMPH '—So prophesied grim President
Roosevelt, shown today as he addressed Congress, cabinet members. Supreme
Court justices and crowded galleries. In his message asking for a declaration of
war against Japan. Tense faces of his audience indicate feeling which surged
through the historic joint session. The Chief Executive stands at the clerk's
desk in the House Chamber. Shortly after this scene the Senate and House,
acting separately, approved a resolution declaring a state of war ' has existed"
since yesterday. —A. P. Photo.
Draft Act Revisions
Studied; D. C. January
Quota to Be Doubled
I
ι
House Military Group
Hopes to Hear Marshall
At Session Tomorrow
f Earlier Story on Page A-4.1
Chairman May of the House Mili
tary Affairs Committee moved today
to determine possible changes in the !
draft act to meet the war conditions
as loral selective service headquar
ters disclosed the January induction
call probably will be doubled and
the call in February will be the larg
est ever scheduled
Representative Mav called a
meeting of his committee for tomor
row morning to consider what
chang< if any. must be made in the
dralt . ι to meet the critical new
situation The committee hopes to
have Chief of Staff George C Mar
shall at the session.
Officials at the District's selective
service office said there would be no
step-up in the rate of inductions
this month. Lt Col. Edwin S. Bet
telheim. jr.. executive officer of local
selective service, said the local
boards would go ahead this month
in routine fashion "clearing up
pending inductions."
Selective Service headquarters in
the old National Guard Armory at
Sixth street and Pennsylvania ave
nue have been crowded all day
with men who are seeking to have
their numbers called immediately.
During the mornine. about 200
men came in to ask that previously
granted deferments be withdrawn or
to ask that they be inducted ahead
of scheci'ile
! ' - . _ . . .
Lindbergh Asks United
Stand in ar Etfort
By the Associated Press.
j CHICAGO. Dec. 8 —Charles A.
I Lindbergh issued the following
statement through the America First
ι Committee today :
"We have been stepping closer to
war for many months. Now it has
I come and we must meet it as united
! Americans regardless of our atti
tude in the pa^t toward the policy
our Government has followed.
Whether or not that policy has been
wise, our country has been attacked
bv force of arms and by force of
arm* we must retaliate. Our own
defences and our own military posi
tion have already been neglected
too long. We must now turn every
effort to building the greatest and
most efficient Army. Navy and air
force in the world When American
soldiers go to war. it mu>t be with
the best equipment that modern
! skill can design and tha* modern
1 industry can build."
Late War Bulletins
Churchill Tells British to Close Gap
LONDON '-P .—Prime Minister Churchill told the British
parliament tonight that the outbreak ci war with Japan
meant that some American aid to Britain would cease "for
the moment" and said British workers would have to fill the ;
pap themselves.
Litvinoff Presents Credentials to President
Maxim Litvinoff. new Russian Ambassador to the United
States, presented his credentials to President Roosevelt this
afternoon and then conferred with the Chief Executive for
about 40 minutes on international developments. Questioned
by newsmen later, the envoy refused to make a statement
on the possibility of Russia joining immediately in the war
against Japan.
North Borneo Attack Reported
SINGAPORE "F.—A report from Manila late today said I
Japanese forces had made an unsuccessful attempt to land j
on British North Borneo, but the report could not be con
firmed in military quarters here.
Berlin to Announce War Stand Soon
BERLIN —'The well-posted commentary Dienst Aus
Deutschland predicted tonight that "it will not be long before
official German reaction to the new events in the Far East
nrp marip nublic."
Japanese Businesses in U. S. Seized
Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau announced today
the seizure of all Japanese banks and business enterprises
throughout the United States. He said hundreds of officials
hrve been given special instructions to prevent the access j
of all persons to the premises of such enterprises and to pre
vent the destruction or removal of their books, records and
other property.
U. S. Takes Up Kurt Sell's Credentials
The Secret Service late today took up the credentials of
Kurt G. Sell. Washington correspondent for the German News
Bureau. Mr. Sell was the only German newspaper correspond
ent in Washington. Credentials of Japanese correspondents
were ordered surrendered yesterday.
R. A. F. Pounding Japs at Malaya
SINGAPORE —A communique issued about 8 p.m. here
said the R. A F. was delivering extensive aerial counter
blows against Japanese transports attempting to land troops
in Northern Malaya. (Earlier Story on Page A-3J
Tense Τ hrong Fills G rounds
As President Goes to Capitol
A tense, grim throng slowly filled
j the Capitol grounds and an equally
solemn, tight-faced parade of Sena
tors. Representatives and diplomats
filed into the domed building shortly
before noon today ahead of the ar
rival of President Roosevelt to de
liver the most momentous message
a Chief Executive has read to Con
gress since 1017.
Mr. RooEcveit arrived a' the Cap
itol at 12:12 p.m. When he entered
the House chamber, there was long
♦applause which turned into cheers.
He was preceded to the rostrom by
a committee of the Senate and the
House.
Senator Glass of Virginia. Secre
tary of the Treasury under President
Wilson, came first. He was followed
by Democratic Leader Barkley. He
publican Leader McNary, Minority
Leader McCormack. Minority Lead
er Martin and Chairman Doughton
of the House Ways and Means Com
mittee.
Takes Senate Just 9 Minutes.
The President was on the arm of
his oldest son. Capt. James Roose
velt in the uniform of the Marine
Corps.
After a solemn prayer by the
House chaplain, the Rev. James
Shera Montgomery, the House im
(Seë CAPITOL-Page ~A-47i
i
Nazi's Do Not Expect
Γο Take Moscow in
1941, Berlin Says
Spokesman Says Cold
Is So Terrific Oil
Freezes in Vehicles
BJ the Associated Press
BERLIN. Dec. 8.—The German j
Army does not expect to capture
Moscow this year, a military spokes- ;
man said tonight in explanation of
a high command communique's ,
reference to the coming of winter
He declared the cold, which set in
parly this year, "is so terrific that '
even the oil freezes in motorized
vehicles."
"Soldiers and officers trying to
take cover." he said, "simply freeze
to the ground."
The high command reported an
attack by German and Italian troops
in the Donets Basin was making
progress.
Nazis Reported Crushed
At 2 Points Above Moscow
LONDON. Dec 8 V —Soviet troops
attacking in sub-zero cold were re
ported today to have crushed Ger
man positions at two points above
Moscow and wiped out two di
visions of the invaders <30.000 men»
during the process.
(Reports received by the Asso
ciated Press from Europe Sunday
night said Adolf Hitler's troops,
in a move linked with" the out
break of war in the Pacific, were
girding for offensives intended to
take both Moscow and Lenin
grad and recapture Rostov "at
any price" within two weeks.»
The Moscow radio said the Ger
mans were beaten bloodily north of
the capital ι perhaps in the Klin or
Dmitrov areas ι and in the Kalinin
sector. 95 miles to the northwest on
the ice-bound Upper Volga. A vil
lage was reported recaptured in the
Kalinin combat.
The Russians acknowledged the
continuance of heavy German pres
sure in the Tula zone south of Mos
cow.
German war dispatches implied
that the intense cold had virtually
paralyzed both armies on the cen
tral front. Local successes were
claimed in the Donets Basin.
Kuibyshev dispatches declared the
Russians had advanced from 50 to 75
miles in the three-wcek-old Rostov
Mariupol counteroffensive. Cossack
cavalrymen were said to be slashing
down Germans seeking to escape
across the Mius River near Tagan
rog while Red Army planes bombed
their clogged routes of retreat.
The Soviet Information Bureau
declared Russian air squadrons
alone had accounted for 82 Ger
man planes, 143 tanks and 2.600
trucks and killed more than 8.000
men in these operations.
LONE DISSENTFR — Repre
sentative Jeannette Rankin.
Republican, of Montana, cast
the single dissenting vote as
Congress declared war on Ja
pan today. Miss Rankin was
among those who voted
against war in 1917.
Nats' No. 1 Baseball Fan,
Sylvester A. Breen, Dies
Sylvester A Breen. 75-yeaï-olc!
No. 1 fan of the Washington base
ball club, died suddenly this after
noon at his home, 1322 King street
Alexandria. Va.
Mr. Breen. when only 14. saw
President Garfield assassinated b\
Charles J. Guiteau on July 2. 1881
at the old Baltimore Potomac
Railroad depot.
Alexandria police said Mr. Breer
collapsed in the rear yard of hi·
home and was carried to the Alex
andria Hospital, where he was pro
nounced dead by Dr Lawrence Jack
Ian on arrival.
For nearly 19 years Mr. Breen
an intimate friend of Clark Griffith
has been handed pass No 1 for thi
Washington baseball club's game
He was a retired Government Print
ing Office employe.
Markets at a Glance
NEW YORK. Dec. 8 '.-Γ
Ι Stocks weak: war outbreak hits
leaders. Bonds lower; Federals
slip in nominal dealings. For
eign exchange inactive
Cotton firm; Wall Street, mill
; and New Orleans buying. Sugar
I higher; trade buying. Metals
I steady; steel operations ease
slightly. Wool tops strong; short
! covering and trade buying.
CHICAGO.—Wheat up 5 cents,
the limit: war news. Corn closed
j 3\-4:, higher. Hogs. 15-25 up;
top $10.45; war bullish influence.
Cattle active; steers and year
I'tçs higher.
Roosevelt Says Date J;
Of Attack in Pacific ;
Will Live in Infamy C
BULLETIN.
Charging that Germany is to blame for "push
ing" Japan into war as a means of curtailing
American lend-lease aid to anti-Axis nations, the
White House late today pledged that such assist
ance is still in full operation and will continue so.
By JOHN C. HENRY.
Congress today declared a state of war exists he- "
tween the United States and the Japanese Empire,
making this fateful decision less than an hour after *
President Roosevelt appeared before a joint-session.
The President spoke at 12:32 p.m.
The Senate vote came at 1:05 p.m. It was 82 to 0. ^
The House voted at 1:27. The vote was 388 to 1.
Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, who „
voted against war in 1917, was the single dissenter
today. <
In the presence of a large congressional delegation,
the President signed the resolution of war at 4:10 <
o'clock in his executive office.
The President's request for a declaration that a *
state of war exists, phrased in historically brief form,
pronounced as war's justification the "unprovoked *,
and dastardly attack" by the Japanese on American
forces.
It was delivered to a solemn ana angered C ongress ,
and before crowded galleries as the legislators met in
the House chamber. «
Mr. Roosevelt charged, with grim bitterness, that the
Japanese had "deliberately planned" their attack many %
days or weeks ago. while they brought bland words of peace «
here "by false statements." ,
The date of the first Japanese attack. December 7. 1941. ,
is one "which will live In infamy," the President told the
hushed and expectant Congress. * *
Germany Not Mentioned.
Nowhere in his 500-word presentation did Mr Roosevelt men- *
tion other partners of the Axis. Germany and Italy.
Neither did he make anv specific mention of initial American *
losses, announced by the White House earlier this morning as '
"more serious" than at first indicated. *
' The attack yesterday." the President said on this subject. "on '
the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval <
and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In *
addition. American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high *
seas between San Francisco and Honolulu." J
Brieflly. then, the President recounted that the Japanese gov
ernment in intervening hours has attacked Malaya. Hong Kong, ι
Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island and, most recently.
Midway Island. t
"The people of the United States have already formed their
opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and *
safety of our Nation," Mr. Roosevelt said solemnly.
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premedi- *
(Continued on Page A-4. Col. 5.»
Text of President s Message to Congress
Asking for Declaration of State of War
The te.rt ol President Roose
velt s message to Congress fol
lows :
; To the Congress of the United
J States:
Yesterday. December 7. 1941—a
date which will live in infamy—
the United States of America was
suddenly and deliberately at
tacked by naval and air forces of
the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace
with that nation and. at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in
conversation with its government
and its Emperor looking toward
the maintenance of peace in the
Pacific. Indeed, one hour after
Japanese air squadrons had com
menced bombing in Oahu, the 1
Japanese Ambassador to the
United States and his colleague
delivered to the Secretary of
State a formal reply to a recent
American message. While this
reply stated that it seemed use- |
I less to continue the existing dip
I lomatic negotiations, it contained
! no threat or hint of war or armed
; ! attack.
It will be recorded that the dis
tance of Hawaii from Japan
makes it obvious that the attack
was deliberately planned many
days or even weeks ago. During
the intervening time the Jap
anese government has délibérate
Iv sought to deceive the United
States by false statements and
expressions of hope for continued
peace.
The attack yesterday on the
Hawaiian Islands has caused
! severe damage to American naval
and military forces. Very many
I American lives have been lost.
In addition American ships have
j been reported torpedoed on the
high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese also
launched an attack against
I Malaya.
I Last night Japanese forces at
tacked Hong Knnc.
I
Last night Japanese forces at- «
tacked Guam.
Lait night Japanese forces at
tacked the Philippine Islands. "
ljast nieht the Japanese at
tacked Wake Island
This morning the Japanese at
tacked Midway Inland
Japan has. therefore, under
taken a surprise offensive ex
tending throughout the Pacific
area. The facts of yesterday
speak for themselves. The people
of the United States have already
formed their opinions and well
understand the implications to
the veiy life and safety of our
Nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the
Army and Navy I have directed
that all measures be taken for
our defense.
Always will we remember the
character of the onslaught
against us.
No matter how long it may
take us to overcome this pre
meditated invasion, the Ameri
can people in their righteous
might will win through to abso
lute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of
the Congress and of the people
when I assert that we will not
only defend ourselves to the ut
termost but will make very cer
tain that this form of treachery
shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist There is no
blinking at the fact that our
people, our territory and our in
terests are in grave danger
With confidence in our armpd
forces—with the unbounding de
termination of our people—we
will gain the inevitable triumph—
so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare
that since thp unprovoked and
dastardly attack by Japan on
Sunday. December 7. a state of
war has existed between the
United States and the Japanese
Empire.
FRANKLIN Γ) ROOSEVELT.
The White House,
D?-rmber ε. 3011.
A