BRITAIN AND AMERICA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 9 December 1941, Page 5

BRITAIN AND AMERICA

THAILAND ADMITS JAPANESE INVADERS’ FOOTHOLD IN MALAYA FIRST ESTIMATE OF U.S. LOSSES (Elee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 9, noon.) , LONDON, Dec. 8.

Since yesterday’s reports of the widespread attacks by Japan on United States and British bases in the Pacific there has been little news of operations from the air or on the sea. ■The most important developments are Japanese attacks on Thailand and Malaya. It is reported that the Thai forces resisted the invaders for 5i hours after which negotiations were entered into and the Thai Government finally agreed to the passage of Japanese troops through 'Thailand. Large Japanese forces attempted to land at the northern end of Malaya and finally succeeded in securing a foothold. Japanese transports were attacked from the air and some ships are reported to have been set on fire. In addition to .the aerial bombing of Hawaii and the Philippines, the Japanese dropped bombs on the American base at Guam and on Singapore, Hong Kong, Penang, and Wake Island. An unconfirmed report states that mustard gas bombs were dropped on Singapore. It has been disclosed in Washington that in the attack on Pearl Harbour base yesterday one old battleship and one destroyer were sunk, many planes were lost, and other waiships were damaged. The casualties on Oahu Island were estimated at 3000, of which probably 1500 were killed. At Manila, in the Philippines, there were 200 casualties. Other important developments in the past few hours included broadcast messages by President Roosevelt and Mr. Winston Churchill. Addressing members of both Houses of Congress, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare that since Sunday a state of war' had existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. He characterised the Japanese attack as a treacherous act that would' live in infamy. Mr. Churchill, in stating that the British Cabinet had agreed to a declaration, of war against Japan, said the attack had been made with characteristic Japanese treachery. While issuing a warning against under-rating the gravity of the situation, he pointed out that Britain had some of the finest warships in the world in the Par East and that every preparation had been made to ensure that Britain and the countries associated with her would give a good account of themselves.