AXIS ALLIANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 294, 13 December 1941, Page 5

AXIS ALLIANCE

FIGHT AGAINST U.S.A. AND BRITAIN

REACTIONS TO DECLARATION OF W AR.

(Recd. 5.5 p.m.) London. Dec. 17. A military alliangc against Britain and the United States has been signed by Germany, Italy and Japan, who have declared war on Britain and U.S.A. It provides that all three signatories shall conduct the war against Britain and America with all the means in their power. Each undertakes not to conclude a separate peace or truce with the United States or Britain.

The alliance of Germany. Japan and Italy also provides for "close collaboration after a victorious conclusion of the war. wilh a view’ to creating a new order.”

The answer from the United States was prompt. President Roosevelt signed declarations of war against Germany and Italy. In a message to Congress, he said:—

"On the morning of December 11. the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the United States. The long known and long-expected has thus taken place. The forces endeavouring to enslave the entire world are now moving toward this hemisphere. Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty and civilisation. Delay invites great danger. and a rapid and united effort by all the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will ensure a world victory of the forces of jusI tice and righteousness over the forces of savagery and barbarism. "Italy also has declared war against the United States, therefore I request Congress to recognise a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy.” “To the Bitter End," says Hitler. I am grateful that I have been chosen by the Creator to decide the history of the world for the next 1000 years," said Hitler in a speech in the Reichstag. "After renewed refusals of my peace offers, it is obvious that the war must be fought to the bitter end. Germany's lightning successes in the west have removed once and lor all the danger from that direction. "The moves against the Soviet have merely been postponed, but never abandoned. Germany had to strike the tirst blow at Russia. It was I who knew the full strength of the Soviet armaments and the situation in Europe was such that it could not be ignored. I can only thank God for the strength and knowledge to undertake the crusade against Russia. "With the return of summer weather. no obstacle will prevent forward advances in Russia. Up to December . 1 Russian losses included 3.806,865 I prisoners. 21.391 tanks captured or de(stroyed 32.541 guns captured or destroyed, and 17.322 planes captured or destroyed. The German losses were 162.314 dead. 577,767 wounded and 3334 missing." Hitler launched a vehement personal attack on Mr. Roosevelt, blaming him and President Wilson as most guilty for the present state of affairs. He accused Roosevelt of aiming eventually to take over the British Empire.’ and declared that Germany hail in hand perfect proof that the United States planned to attack Germany in 1942. "The Americans are a polyglot race of Jewish and negro blood." he said. "Germany is the great champion of the fight in the East. We will conduct the war against America and England together with Italy and Japan. The step Japan has tak"n to defend her freedom must fill all decent people with satisfaction. Strongest Military Force. i "I now head the strongest military i force in the whole world, the strongI est air force and the most gallan. I navv Behind me is the great Nazi | Partv. with whom I grew great, and which grew great with me. 1 thank ' God for the opportunity given me and jthe German nation to write a page tn 'the bonk of honour of German hlsi tory. Just as we have been pinless in I the tight for power, so shall we be j pitiless for the maintenance of the ' Hitler said it was his unshakable determination to make the European front impregnable. From Norway to (•pain fortifications have been established and naval and air bases built. More than 1500 batteries had been established along the coastline. In a ten-minute speech front thr halconv of the Piazza Venezia on the occasion ,hp declaration of war against America. Mussolini declared. "I sav it is a privilege to fight with the Japanese and Germany. Italy and Japan did not want an extension of hostilities. Only one man wanted it. We shall win." . Speaking in Tokio. the Prime Munster. General E. Tojo declared: "The German and Italian declarations of war against the United States, together with the achievements *of our forces, unfold a bright future for the Japanese Empire, which is proceeding resolutely with the construction of the new world order.”

tireatest Blunder of History. The British Prime Minister Ml. Winston Churchill, said, in the House of Commons, (firing a review of th" war. that Hitlers attack on Russia was one of the greatest blunders of history. The British Ambassador to th' United States Lord Halifax, addressing the annual convention of the Farm Federation in Chicago, said: Japan has made the worst mistake in all her history.' He added that while she had the power to choose the moment to begin i' would not He with her tn choose the time it ended. A Vic'-Rrgal proclamation from New Delhi announces that a state of war exists between India and Japan.