UNITY IN DEFENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 10 December 1941, Page 7

UNITY IN DEFENCE

REPLY TO ATTACK LOYAL TO PRESIDENT RUSH OF VOLUNTEERS (Elee. Tel. Copyright—United Press ABsn.) (Reed. Dec. 9, 2.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. Americans accepted Japan’s war to-day with an outpouring of pledges of unity and loyalty. Japan’s sudden attack virtually wiped out the lines between supporters and opponents of the Roosevelt Administration. President Roosevelt signed the declaration of war against Japan. The House of Representatives and the Senate tumultuously cheered Mr. Roosevelt’s declaration. There were immediate cries of “Vote! Vote! 1 ” at the end of the speech. The Senate acted with unprecedented swiftness and the House quickly followed suit.

Message after message has reached White House from persons high and low offering to do what they could. Senator Vandenberg, a leading isolationist, stated: “I have fought every trend leading to war, but when war has come to us I stand for the .swiftest and most invincible answer. This unprovoked Japanese attack is a brutal disclosure which violates every element of civilised society.” Mr. William Green, the president of the American Federation of Labour, to-day appealed for an end to strikes in the defence industries. He called on workers to produce as the workers of no other country ever produced, and to keep steadfastly on the job until victory and final peace are won. Army, navy and marine recruiting offices throughout the United States were besieged with volunteers to-day. In New York the navy recruiting offices had to close shortly after noon when the enlistments were higher than double those taken on the first day of the war in 1917. The Dominican Republic has declared war against Japan. Lindbergh Urges Unity Charles Lindbergh stated: “Now war has come, we must meet it as united Americans, regardless of our attitude in the past.” The Treasurer, Mr. Henry Morgenthau, has announced the seizure of all Japanese banks and business enterprises throughout the United States. The Treasury has prohibited withdrawals from bank accounts by Japanese for any purpose, including living expenses. Argentina has informed the United States that in view of Japan’s she will comply with the Havana convention, which interprets such acts as directed against the hemisphere as a whole.

The South African Government is completing the formalities antecedent to declaring war on Japan.

The French National Committee in London has decided that a state of war exists between all French territories and the French land, naval -and air forces and Japan. The President, Dr. Vargas, Said that the Brazilian Cabinet had agreed to give absolute solidarity to the United States.

At Sari’ Francisco, the Mayor, Mr, Rossi, declared San Francisco was in a state, of emergency and demanded the immediate cessation of all strikes “in order to present a united front.” Salvador has declared war agiaitst Japan. The Cuban Cabinet decided to ask Congress to declare war against Japan.