Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 1

FIRST IN WESTTEXAS VOL. LXI, NO. 171. 0 "WITHOUT, OR WITH OFFENSE TO FRIENDS OR FOES WE SKETCH YOUR WORLD EXACTLY AS IT' A TEXAS a-U, NEWSFAFO ABILENE, TEXAS, MONDAY EVENING', DECEMBER 8, 1941 -TWELVE PAGES EVENING FINAL lift trtut I tf) PRICE FIVE CENTS UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR 0'. American Casulties Total 3,000 in Hawaii; Two Warships Sunk Japanese Claim Staggering Toll .) By (he United Press Joponese bombs and bullets have taken 1500 lives and injured an equal number of Ho- "rvaii's defenders, the White House announced today and the Nipponese claimed to have taken a heavy toll of American sea power in the Pacific.

The White House, funnel of information about the struggle in the far East, confirmed the loss in Pearl Harbor of "one old battle- fhip" and a destroyer, but the Japanese radio made staggering claims. Japanese naval forces claittiod to have sunk two American battleships, and an aircraft carrier and damaged four other U. S. battleships, four U. S.

heavy cruisers and inflicted wlher widespread losses on American sea forces. Developments came pouring in a steady stream. Japanese planes bombed five separate points in the Manila reported, but no troop landings were disclosed. BRITAIN FORMALLY DECLARES WAR 1 Japan made formal declaration of war on the United States and Great Britain, Britain' then declared war on Japan and the United States was expected to follow suit before nightfall. Vichy broadcast-Tokyo reports big sea-air Battle was being fought off the Philippines: The Japanese also claimed in a radio broadcast that an "agreement" had been reached with to allow passage of Japanese troops through that country.

Information from elsewhere indicated Nipponese air, naval and land forces had overwhelmed Thailand's defenses. Regarding American casualties on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, (he White House announcement said: "American operations against the Japanese attacking force in the neighborhood of the Hawaiian is- Jtmds are slill continuing. A uum- -uer of Japanese planes and submarines have been destroyed. "The damage caused to our forces in Oahu In yesterday's ntlnck appear more serious than at first believed. "In Pearl Harbor Itself one old battleship has capsized and several other ships have been seriously damaged.

DESTROYER BLOWN UP "One destroyer was blown up. other small ships were ser'- iously hiirt. Ann)- and navy fields Were bombed with the resulting destruction of several hnnsars. A large number of planes were put out of commission. "A number of bombers rival safely from San Francisco during the engagement--while it was under way.

Reinforce- rncnts of planes are being rushed and repair work is under way on thr ships, planes arid jjround facilities. "Guam. Wake and Midway islands and Hong Kong have been attacked. Details of these attacks arc lacking. MARINES "Two hundred marines--all that In China--have been iu- Tcrncd by the Japanese near Tient- sin.

"The total number of casualties q'n the island Oahu arc not yet dcf-' initely known, but in probability, u-lll amount to about 3.000. halt of these are fatalities, the others being wounded. It secnis clear from the report that many bombs were dropped In Ihc city of Honolulu, resulting in a small number cf Wilmeth Youth Is Killed by Tractor WINTERS. Dec. Roberts iJroadstrcet.

16-year-old son of prominent farm family of the Wil- mell) community wWt of Winters. was instantly killed about 11 a. m. today when cnished beneath a tractor. He was driving the tractor Winters, where he had brought it for repair, to his home.

The tractor overturned on the McNeil hill on the Wllmclh road. The boy Is survived by his parents, and Mrs. J. A. Broadstrrcl ft Wilmclh, two brothers and five Asters.

Funeral arrangements. In charge ol Split funeral home, were Incomplete at nocn. However, burial will be at Wilmeth, probably Tucs- 'dny. Vartiol Blackout WASHINGTON. Dec.

Thc nation's capital was partly blacked-out early today. Army Backs Housing Bid Special request from headquarters of Eighth Corps Area fa to be added to Abilene's for a federal housing project here Merle Gruver, chamber of commerce manager said yesterday. Gruver returned Sunday from San Antonio where he was in conference Maj. Gen. Richard Uonavan, commander of the area, and Maj.

H. H. Hardy, assistant area G4, regarding Hie Abilene situation. "Genera! Donovan seemed' anv- ious to do anything he could to help us get the project through," Gruver asid this morning, "and promised immediate action from HERE'S WHERE THE NEW WAR BROKE OUT PAN AMERICAN AIR BASE A closeup of the area around Pearl Harbor on the Island of Oahu, showing relative location of the city of Honolulu, Hickam field and harbor area--where Japanese air attacks caused heavy damage in outbreak of hostilities. West Texus Quick to Enlist For Servicfe Against Japanese Texas men were quick to accept imperial Japan's challenge to the security of their country' today.

Lts than 24 hours. Alter the treacherous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and other U. S. outposts In the Pacific, youths crowded the navy, marines and army recruiting offices here to volunteer for military service against the enemy. Biggest rush was at the navy recruiting office in basement of the postoffice, where L.

Wylie, chief recruiting officer, toiled throughout the morninc examining six applicants who arrived shortly after doors were opened at 8 a. m. Wylie said the rash was the greatest he had experienced since coming here over a year ago. FIRST TO REPORT First to report' at (he navy substation was William David Mc- Dearmart 21. son of W.

D. McDearman. 1640 Pine, who received an honorable discharge last April. He reenllsted as second class ma- his office on the matter." The application, filed wllh the; division of defense housing coordination at Washington last Oct. 18.

asks a project of 15o lo 200 units or whatever an official survey shows Is necessary. cites that 400 married noncommissioned officers and civilian employes of Camp Barkcley arc unable, to find desirable housing facilities here. In addition to the housing difficulties of the officers of the medical replacement center. Acknowledgments received at the chamber of commerce here from Washington slate Ibat acllon is taken on recommendation of the war department a investigation by the division of defense housing coordination. Volunteers Report To Camp Barkeley Not all the volunteers tor service (n the present conflict arc reporting to home recruiting stations.

Witness this message to officers at Camp Barkcley. am ready (o go after those Japs with you," an Oklahoman wired a lieutenant here. "Wire back If I can Join your company and how. If so, will enlist tomorrow." Another Oklahoman wired his former officer: "Can you vise an old soldier not loo young and not loo old? But a man under the present circumstances, old as he may be. can still a belter job llian he did the 13 years he was under your command." Soldiers Ordered to Remain in Uniform Maj.

Gen. William S. Key. coni- riiandcr of the 43th infantry division, this morning ordered all officers and men of the division to remain tn uniform, on or off duty. Likewise, all officers and men on leaves and furloughs have been ordered to return to their proper stations Immediately.

Records Ibis morning disclosed that 74 men of the division were on furlough and that 22 officers were on leaves. chine male, the rating he held at time of discharge. McDearman joined the navy here at the age of 17 four years ago. Another applicant was'Lewis A. Patteson, Smiley, junior student in Abilene Christian college, for enlistment as a flying cadet in the navy air corps.

Wylie said he will be transferred this afternoon lo Dallas to appear before the naval aviation cadet selection board tomorrow. At the marine recruiting office, 47-year-old veteran of World war I appeared and was given a physical examination for re-enlistment in the regular corps. He is Roy Roquemore, Cylvester carpenter, who first joined the marine corps at Philadelphia, Penn, on June 13, 1917. and was discharged on Aug. 13, 1919.

Roquemore is the father of -twj children. Morris, Colleen. 13, who live with their mother at Sylvester. Sgl. Hugh C.

Lindsey, re cruiting officer, said enlistment must await confirmation of a reported increase in age limits. DRAFT BOARDS BUSY Taylor county's two selective service boards, likewise, reported brisk The Weather v. s. or COM.IKIICC HratVr Rirrfti ABI1.F..VE and Vtclnftjr; Kllr to cloudy IcnlKM Tuesday. WEST TEXAS i i ntruiiui) over txcept con UnuM fair Panhandle And South plaint trtttphl and Tuejdaj continued cold 16- nlRtit, Panhandle and Soalh rialnj tnd warmer elsewhere lonlpht.

fiAST TEXAS tnerldianl: to partly cloudy In rrorlh portion, considerable cloudlne.v In south portion with occasional IttM rains tonlltht and Tuejd-- Kill live KumiJily Goodfellows at Quarter Mark With only and half weeks left in which to complete their annual work of sending Christmas baskets of food and toys to needy families, Goadfellows were slill less than one fourth completed on their financial goal at noon to day. Pleas from needy families, both adults children, continue to come to the Goodfellows, and Mrs Margaret Schmidt, executive sccre. tary of the United Welfare association, which Investigates all applications, said recent layoffs at Camp Burkctey construction might send the number of needy families even higher lhan had been anticipated. Many of the families whose mem bcrs have been earning on the con- slructlon work will have completely exhausted their slim resources be fore Christmas. Mrs.

Schmidt warned, and (hey have absolutely no credit to when their cash is gone. Since Saturday night the following gifts have been received: Masonic Ixxlge No. 459 5 0 0 Onyx Refining Corp 2300 Study Club JOO Abilene Typographical Union N'o. 494 500 37.00 Previously Acknowledged $393.00 J435.00 aclivity throughout the morning Registrants streamed in to repor changes of addresses and bring other clerical data up Eo date, 50 that the boards may reach them quickly in event they are called to military service. T.

Carswcll and Ciint Stewart, hoards Nos. 1 and 2 chief clerks, respectively, closed their offices at 11:30 a. m. to hear the President's war message to congress. At the army recruiting; station, St.

Sgt. Herman Parham accepted applications of three youths for enlistment in the air corps. They are Dennis W. Cheek and Lcland V. Williams, both of Abilene, and C.

K. Knlffcn. Clyde. Parham said three others will be shipped to Dallas this afternoon for formal enlistment in the air corps. They are Gordon Lee Robinson anrl L.

M. Preu-it. both of Stamford and Elmer Rust of Anson. Enlisted in the air corps at Dallas Saturday were Melvm K. Haynes.

342 Sycamore, and Leahmon Bryant, 942 Oak. who were assigned to Jefferson Iwmcks, St. Louis. Mo. Awaiting appearance before an army flight board for acceptance or rejection as a flying cadet is Lawrence Pool, hn Hickory Parham disclosed.

Pool submitted his application Kov. 16. Other applicants tor cplistmcnt in the navy--the nation's first line of defense--were Oeorse F. Dodgcn 142 1-2 Elm. radio school, naval reserve; Williard L.

Ragsdale. Abilene, third claw oakcr. naval reserve: W. L. Holdririgc.

Quanah, West Texas Utilities company em- ploye, electrician in the reserve. J. Orville Pace, route 2. to be transferred this afternoon to Dallas for enlistment us storekeeper in the reserve. Wylie announced Hut the substation will remain open from 7 a.

rn. to 5 p. m. daily, anrl l.ilfr it necessary, to take rare of all youths who apply. Business was mshing also at the marines station, where Llndsey examinee! four applicants In addition to Rotrncmorr.

anrl rejected (cur others without giving them examinations. Examined were Frank FtcdcricS Zitlcll 2126 Grape: Lewis Franklin Cheek, route 5. Abilene; John Pink Maberry. Sylvester: and Lloyrt A. Daniel, route 5.

Abilene. Stain, Allies Join Fight Before US Officially Acts WASHINGTON, Dec. AP)--The United States, through its congress, declared war today on Japan. Overwhelmingly, and with the greatest unity shown in many a day on Capitol Hill, the senate and backed up President Roosevelt's request for a war declaration with unprecedented speed, the senate vote, first to be recorded, was 82 to 0. The officially-announced loss of two warships and 3,000 men dead and wounded in Japan's raid on Hawaii was fresh in the minds of the legislators.

The senate and house had assembled together to hear President Roosevelt ask the declaration. They cheered him enthusiastically and then pushed the resolution through with not a moment's waste of time. The single adverse house vote was that of Miss Jeannette Hankin, democratic congresswoman from Montana, who was among the few who voted against the' 1917 declaration of war on Germany. Roll call was 388-1. WASHINGTON, Dec.

President Roosevelt asked congress today to declare war against Japan. He.made the request a disclosing to the nation that yesterday's sudden Japanese attack on Hawaii had cost the United States two warships and 3,000 dead and chief executive declared, "tha't the congress'declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire." The president said that yesterday was "a date which will live in infamy. He recited the events since Japan's assault on America's Pacific bastions and said a all measures be taken for our defense." "Hostilities exist," Mr. Roosevelt asserted. "There, is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

"With confidence in our armed forces--with the unbounding determination of our gain the inevitable triumph--so help ns God." Mr. Roosevelt addressed the house and senate, meeting in joint session for the second time within a generation to hear a president ask for a declaration of war. His words were solemn but brief. He said Japan had undertaken a "surprise offensive" extending throughout the Pacific, noting that the Ninponcsc empire not only had attacked Hawaii and the Philippines but also Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, Wake and Midway islands. "Always we will remember the character of the "onslaught against us," the president said.

"No mailer liow long if may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute 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 uttermost iit will make very certain that (his form of treachery shall never endanger us again." By flit Associated Press Great Britain formally declared war against Japan torlay as imperial Tokyo headquarlersclalineiUntash- mg naval and air victories over the United States and mighty forces of the U. S. fleet were reported combinz the Pacific to seek battle with Japanese warships. In London, the house of commons cheered turmiltously as Prime Minister Winston Churchill fuliilling his pledge of a month ago, invoked war against the Tokyo overnment.

made allies of Thailand and Free China, and RENEW Youi Subjcriptfon (o The Abilene Whilt the rcduc4 Netef arc in effect? The Special Rotes ore both fcy carrier and by tncil. The Abilene Reporfer-Newi Bulletins BERLIN, Dec. German army does not expect to rapture Moscow this yew, a military spokesman said tonight in explanation of a high command communique's reference to the roming winter. NEW YORK. Dec.

An NBC reporter, broadcasting in the midst of an early Tuesday morning air attack on Manila said that "terrific ri.imagc" hart been left by Japanese attackers, including the apparent destruction of the saso- linc supply at Nichols air field. Cuba, Die. --The cabinet asked Cuba's congress today lo declare war on Japan. SINGAPORE, Dec. Royal Air Force planes today carried out intensive bombing attacks on Japanese transports attempting to land troops along the northern Malayan coast.

MANILA, P. Dec. 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. PORT All PRINCE. Haiti.

Dec. 8. (UP)-- Haill declared war on Japan loday. He Won't Talk WEST TISDURY. Dtc.

8. --(UPl-Charles A. Lindbergh, at his new liomc licre. declined today lo eommcttt on the Japanese attack on the United Slates. declared: "Every preparation In our power has made and we shall give i good aeeount of ourselves "There is the closest accord with the powerful American naval and air forces and with the strong, efficient forces of (he.

Netherlands East Indies." Sonic observers believed ft was possible that American warships had already met Japanese naval forces in battle somewhere between Hawaii and the Philippines. FLEET IX rUKSUlT One or more Japanese aircraft carriers, presumably escorted by strong naval formations, were rc- IKHted to have engaged'in the opening attack asains' Honolulu, and it seemed a fair conjecture that U. S. dreadnaughts were in hard pursuit or actual contact with the invaders. While Japanese parachute troops were reported landing in Ihe Philippines.

Tokyo headquarters declared that two U. S. battleships had been sunk, four others damaged, two destroyers sunk and four heavy cruisers hit in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Simultaneously. Australia decided to declare war aj Japanese forces attacked the tiny British-mandated island of Nauru.

An Italian broadcast quoted Dornci as lisUnr the ion li. S. S. Ptrinsylvania and the Oklahoma as the American battleships sunk. Two United Stales dcstroyeVs and two oil (ankers were also reported lost.

Japanese headquarters said a United Pules aircraft carrier had bwn sunk by a submarine off Hon- lulu and thai many merchant ships Had been captured in the Pacific. Tlie Japanese also announced an agreement between Japan and Thailand for transit of Japanese troops through Thailand--presumably for an attack on British Malaya, site of Britain's far East fortress of Singapore, or British See THK WAK, fg, 11, Col. 6 Flash! China Wars on Jap CHUNGKING. Dec. has decided lo declare war oo Japan.

Germany and Italy, foreign minister Quo Tai-Chi announced at a special press conference tonight. He said China was prepared to make every sacrifice to collaterals with the United States and Great Britain in defeating Japan. Nipponese Minister Warns of long War BERLIN, Doc. reported today that Japanese Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo had broadcast a message io his people warning Ihem that they must bs preaprcd for a long war with the United States and that the fate of the Japanese empire hung in the balance. 14 JWWHU0.