Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 December 1941 — Page 1

The Indianapolis Times

FORECAST: Cloudy this afternoon becoming fair tonight and tomorrow; colder tonight with lowest 20 to 25 by morning; continued rather cold tomorrow.

Final Home

PRICE, THREE CENTS

VOLUME 53—NUMBER 227

WAR DECLARED

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1941

Entered as Second-Class

at Postoffice, Indianapolis,

Matter

1500 Killed In Hawaii, 100 In Philippines

HUGE NAVAL FIGHT RAGES OFF ISLANDS

BULLETIN MANILA, P.I., Dec. 8 (U. P.).—Press dispatches reported that 100 to 200 troops, 60 of them Americans, were killed tonight when Japanese warplanes raided Iba, on the west coast of the island of Luzon, north of the Olangapo naval base.

By JOE ALEX MORRIS United Press Foreign Editor

The United States and Britain smashed back at Japan today on a 6000-mile Pacific war front that flamed from Hawaii's coral beaches to the jungle shores of Malay and Thailand. The American battle fleet was reported challenging the Japanese striking force which raided Hawaii with heavy loss of life and naval damage. A great naval engagement was rumored in the waters west of America’s Pacific Gibraltar. Here is the picture: LONDON—Prime Minister Winston Churchill carried Britain into a war against Japan with a formal declaration before Parliament. TOKYO—The Japanese naval command claimed sinking of U. S. battleships Oklahoma and West Virginia; damage to four other battleships; damage to four heavy cruisers: heavy destruction of U. S. planes; probable sinking of U. S. aircraft carrier (rumored to be the Langley) ; capture of “many” enemy ships; sinking of U. S. minesweeper Penguin at Guam. HAWAII—The White House reported 3000 casaulties, including 1500 fatalities, in a Japanese air attack; loss of “old” American battleship and destroyer also was admitted. WASHINGTON—The American battle fleet is carrying out sweeping operations and has destroyed “a number of” Japanese submarines and planes. THAILAND—Apparently caving in to the Japanese with little or no fight; Tokyo claims Japanese troops are

INDIANA READY, AIDS ARE TOLD BY SCHRICKER

Defense System Already Is Working Smoothly, He Explains.

By EARL RICHERT

Indiana's first “council of war” was held today. Twenty-one officials, representing both major political parties, and representatives of the C. I. O. and Indiana Federation of Labor met at the Governor's office at Governor Schricker’s call early today and discussed state defense problems for nearly two hours. All pledged 100 per cent support to the Federal administration during the crisis. In a press conference which immediately followed the session, Governor Schricker told reporters: “I think the people of Indiana ought to be told that Indiana is really organized and ready to go. We find ourselves in a happy situation this morning with all necessary details for protection already worked out by the State Civil Defense Council operation and working smoothly.”

arm for the Indiana State Guard. He said that owners of private planes probably would be enlisted in a civil defense air patrol and would be subject to call when needed. The Governor stated that in accordance with a request from Federal authorities all private planes would be grounded until the pilots and owners could be positively

ship and loyalty obtained by Aymy and Navy authorities. “The War Department doesn’t want a lot of planes flying around right now that it doesn’t know about,” he explained.

No Special Session Now State Police officers are to be sent to airports, both public and private, to "see to it" that private planes

remain in their hangers until they are permitted to be flown by the Civil Aeronautics Authority. One of the defense steps contemplated, the Governor said, is the doubling of the State Guard which now contains approximately 2000 men.

moving into the country under an “agreement” reached with

Bangkok Government; Japanese are reported swarming into southern Thailand in preparation for a drive on Singapore. SINGAPORE—The British are battling Japanese landing forces which have established a series of beachheads along eastern coast; the Royal Air Force is heavily engaged.

MANILA—Waves of Japanese bombers attacked key points in Philippines, including U. S. Army base at Ft. Stotsenburg, Davao and the vicinity of Bagiou. Japanese landings are rumored but not confirmed.

CHUNGKING—China moved to declare war on Germany and Italy as well as to formalize the long existing state of war with Japan.

CHINA—Japanese attack Hongkong twice by air; take over Shanghai international settlement; occupy Tientsin British concession and intern 200 American Marines. PACIFIC ISLES—Japanese attacked American islands of Guam and probably Wake; attacked British island of Nauru; Japanese naval squadron reported off Cocos islands in Indian ocean. AUSTRALIA AND DUTCH EAST INDIES—AIl armed forces on the alert; no Japanese attacks yet reported. BERLIN AND ROME—Indicate Germany and Italy will join their Axis partner in war against the United States but no tangible action yet. The Emperor of Japan, “seated on the throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal,” declared yesterday war on the United States and Great Britain—on the grounds that the allied powers had threatened the existence of the Japanese empire and the “new order” in East Asia. On the outcome of this struggle, he said, Japan's rule would rise or fall.

Two Battleships Reported Sunk But even before the declaration of war was known the imperial forces were attacking in blitz fashion.

The first blow fell in the Hawaiian Islands. Japanese four-motored bombers, dive bombers and torpedo planes

flashed across the mountains of Oahu Island and swooped down on American warships in the Pearl Harbor naval-air

base, the Gibraltar of the Pacific.

Two battleships—the 29,000-ton Oklahoma with a crew

(Continued on Page Nine)

He said that there was no need now for mobilization of the Guard. In reply to a question as to whether the present emergency might necessitate a special session of the General Assembly, the Chief Executive replied that he could see no need for a session now. ee, he said, “if it later becomes necessary to have a special session, one will be called.” He pointed out that he has the (Continued on Page Three)

Gets Pass-Out To Join Army

At exactly 11:15 o'clock this morning, Silas Walters, an inspector at the Curtiss Wright Propeller Division plant, pushed his papers to one side and got up on his feet. He walked over to his supervisor.

“May I have a pass-out check, please,” he asked. Curtiss Wright employees are required to have pass-out checks in order to leave the plant. On the check, he wrote his reason for wanting to leave, also required by plant rules. It said:

“Gone to Join the U.S. Army."

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

The list of donors to Clothe-A-Child will be found on Page

Seven.

identified and proof of their citizen-

'So Help Us God’

President Roosevelt

WAR BULLETINS

NAZIS CALL OFF DRIVE ON MOSCOW

BERLIN, Dec. 8 (U. P.).—A Nazi military spokesman said tonight that Germany had abandoned attempts to capture Moscow for this winter. Moscow, he said flatly “will not be captured before spring.” He said the early start of the severe Russian winter caused the Germans to make this decision. The spokesman said he was not implying that Germany would cease fighting in the east or seek an armistice, but said that Germany, benefitting by her World War experience, “will abandon the war of movement.”

JAP NAVY BLOCKADES HONGKONG

NEW YORK, Dec. 8 (U. P.) The Japanese Navy is completely blockading the British crown colony of Hongkong, the Japanese Domei news agency said today in a broadcast heard by the United Press listening post.

U. S. BUILT PLANES BOMB JAP SHIPS

SAN FANCISCO, Dec. 8 (U. P.) The Singapore radio heard by a United Press listening post here today reported that two American-built Hudson bombers operating off the northern Malayan coast had scored direct hits on two Japanese troop ships and another Hudson bomber had scored a direct hit on a barge loaded with Japanese soldiers.

HULL ACTS TO BRING GREW HOME WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (U. P.). Secretary of State Cordell Hull told his press conference today that the State Department is seeking to repatriate Ambassador Joseph C. Grew and his staff from Tokyo, as well as other American nationals in Japanese territory.

RAF BOMBS JAPANESE TRANSPORTS SINGAPORE, Dec. 8 (U. P.) Royal Air Force planes today carried out intensive bombing attacks on

Japanese transports attempting to land troops along the northern Malayan coast.

LINDBERGH DECLINES TO COMMENT

WEST TISBURY, Mass, Dec. 8 (U. P.). Charles A. Lindbergh, at his new home here, declined today to comment on the Japanese attack on the United States.

PLEASANT ISLAND ATTACKED MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 8 (U. P.). The British-mandated island of Nauru (Pleasant Island), near the equator northeast of the Solomon Islands, has been

attacked by Japanese forces, Australian Premier John (Continued on Page Three)

1500 OTHERS ARE MISSING OR WOUNDED

Honolulu Believed Target; Loss of Old Battleship Is Admitted.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (U. P)—

The White House announced today

that 1500 persons were killed in the surprise Japanese raid on the Island of Oahu in the Hawaiian group yesterday.

Another 1500 were reported missing or wounded. “It seems clear from the report that many bombs were dropped in the city of Honolulu, resulting in a small number of casualties,” White House statement said. It said one old battleship capsized in the attack on Pearl Harbor, one destroyer was blown up and “several other American ships were damaged.” The statement in part: “American operations against the Japanese attacking force in the neighborhood of the Hawaiian Islands are still continuing.

Many Planes Destroyed

“The damage caused to our forces in Oahu in yesterday's atthan at

first believed. In Pearl Harbor itself one old battleship has capsized and several other ships have been seriously damaged. “One destroyer was blown up. Several other small ships were seriously hurt. Army and Navy fields were bombed with the resulting destruction of several hangars. A large number of planes were put out of commission.

Bombers Arrive from Fisco

“A number of bombers arrived safely from San Francisco during the engagement — while it was underway. Reinforcements of planes are being rushed and repair work is underway on the ships, planes and ground facilities, “Guam, Wake and Midway Islands and Hongkong have been attacked. Details of these attacks are lacking. Two hundred Marines—all that remain in China-have been interned by the Japanese near Tientsin.”

MARKET WEAKENS AFTER EARLY RALLY

Retreat Is 'Orderly'; U.S. Bonds Lose Point.

By UNITED PRESS The New York stock market

turned weak this afternoon, following the U. S. declaration of war on

Japan. Earlier in the day the market had rallied from opening declines of $1 to $3. The retreat was described as orderly. U.S. bonds had losses of more than a point. German bonds fell to record lows. Trading in Japanese bonds was suspended before the market opened. Commodity prices boomed. Soybeans rose the 6-cent limit. Other grains were higher and Far Eastern commodities soared.

PLAN TO LIFT DRAFT CURB

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (U. P) Chairman Andrew May (D. Ky.) of the House Military Affairs Committee, said today the committee will meet tomorrow to frame legislation to repeal restrictions of the selec tive service and national guard acts forbidding the use of those troops outside the western hemisphere.

TEMPERATURES 40 10 a.m. 40 11 a.m.

In This Edition— MAPS—Page 13

PHOTOS - Pages 4, 7, 9 and 11

OTHER WAR NEWS-

Pages 3, 4, 7, 13, 22

HOUSE VOTE IS 388 TO 1; SENATE 82-0

Miss Rankin Casts Only ‘No’ Ballot After F. D. R. Condemns Japan's ‘Dastardly Attack.’

(Text of President’s message, Page 9)

By LYLE C. WILSON United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—Congress today proclaimed existence of a state of war between the United States and the Japanese empire 33 minutes after the dramatic moment when President Roosevelt stood before a joint session to pledge that we will triumph—“‘so help us, God.” Democracy was proving its right to a place in the sun with a split second shiftover from peace to all-out war, The Senate acted first, adopting the resolution by a unanimous roll call vote of 82 to 0, within 21 minutes after the President had concluded his address to a joint session of both houses. The House immediately followed with a vote of 888 to 1, The lone negative vote was cast by Rep. Jeannette Rankin (R. Mont.). Formal Signature Needed The resolution now has to be signed by Speaker Sam Rayburn and Vice President Henry A. Wallace before it is sent to the President at the White House. His signature will place the United States formally at war against the Japanese Empire, already an accomplished fact. The resolutions were before both Houses within 15 minutes of the time Mr. Roosevelt ended his seven-minute, 500-word extraordinary message.

when Miss Rankin objected to unanimous consent for immediate consideration of the war resolution. Speaker Sam Rayburn brushed the objection aside. It was she who in the small hours of April 6, 1917, faltered, wept and finally voted “no” against a similar resolution aimed at Germany. When the clerk came to her name on the roll call today, she voted no again. Charges Deception A chorus of hisses and boos greetd her vote. Rep. Harold Knutson (R. Mihn.), who also voted against American entry into the World War in 1917, said today this nation “has no choice but to declare war on Japan.” “I do not see that we have any other choice,” Rep. Knutson told reporters. “They declared war on us.” Miss Rankin and Mr. Knutson are the only present members of the House who voted against war in 1917.

Only Miss Rankin and Rep. Clare Hoffman (R. Mich.),

had remained seated when the House gave a standing ovation in response to Mr, Roosevelt's solemn statement: “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese ‘empire.” ‘We'll Always Remember’ In a staccato of short sentences, the President told where the Japanese had hit yesterday throughout the Pacific area and how their representatives here had at the same time been continuing deceptive and false negotiations for maintenance of peace. And he said, simply, that he had ordered “all measures be taken for our defense.” “Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us,” the President said grimly. “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Chairman Tom Connally (D. Tex.), of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the war resolution in the Senate at 12:50 p. m. He asked for its immediate consideration but Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg (R. Mich.) asked him to suspend the request so he could comment

upon the resolution.

Mr. Vandenberg told the Senate that “when war comes to us... I stand with the Commander-in-Chief, notwithstanding past differences on foreign policy.”

There was a half second of uncertainty in the House