TREACHERY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1941, Page 6

TREACHERY

JAPAN'S INFAMY

ROOSEVELT SPEAKS

"WILL FIGHT TO VICTORY"

United Press Association.—Copyrirnt. Rec. noon. WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.

Americans accepted Japan's declaration of war to-day with an outpouring of pledges of unity and loyalty.

Asking Congress to declare war against Japan. President Roosevelt said that one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to the recent American message, While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

The Japanese Government, added Mr. Roosevelt, had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The text of Mr. Roosevelt's speech is as follows:—

"Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate ana the House of Representatives, yesterday, Sunday December cember 7, 1941, a reaL which will live for its infamy took place when the United States of America was suddenly attacked 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, and was looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. "It will be recorded that the distance from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought peace with the United States. The attack yesterday on Hawaiian territory has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to say that many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. "Last night the Japanese forces attacked Hongkong, Guam, the Philippines and Wake Island, and this morning an attack was made on Midway Island. "Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific. "The facts of yesterday and to-day speak for themselves. No matter how long it takes to overcome the effect of this premeditated preparation, the American people will fight to ultimate victory. "What I ask of Congress and the people is that not only will we support our forces but we will also make them so equipped that this sort of thing snail never again endanger us.

"I have to ask that Congress declare that by this unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war exists between the United States and the Japanese Empire."