HOSTILE PLANES

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21600, 10 December 1941, Page 6

HOSTILE PLANES

NEW YORK WARNED

SENSATIONAL REPORTS POWERS GIVEN NAVY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 10. 3.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 9 Two air raid warnings sounded in New York within an hour this afternoon as reports were received of approaching hostile planes. Similar reports came from Boston and the authorities there asserted the presence of enemy forces distant not more than two hours’ flying time. About 1,000,000 school children in the New York area were sent home The Boston schools also closed. The New York police issued warnings to people to stay at home and keep off the streets, but few people observed the warning. In Boston the entire police force of 2300 were ordered to duty. Arrangements have been made at Washington to black-out the White House, and the floodlights of the Capitol dome have been extinguished for the duration. The House of Representatives passed and sent to the White House a bill to permit the Navy to retain all enlisted men for the duration. Formulating Common Policy Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have joined in a Chilean proposal to call a conference of American Foreign Ministers to formulate a common policy toward Japan. Argentina has pledged to the United States reciprocal assistance and defensive co-operation in the war against Japan.

Unconfirmed adverse war rumours caused heavy selling on the Stock Exchange today, but the losses were not more than two points. Trading reached the point where the tickers were outpaced. Demand to be Told Truth

Senator Tobey, in the Senate today, said it was reported that a large part of the Pacific Fleet had been wiped out and he demanded that the people be told the truth. “The pride of the American people in their Navy and their confidence in some of their officials has been terribly shaken,” he said. The San Francisco police broadcast a warning at 11.59 a.m. today that enemy planes were approaching from the sea. The “All clear” was flashed nine minutes later. Danger From French Possessions Senator Stewart demanded in the Senate today that the United States immediately seize all French possessions in the Western Hemisphere or nearby, in order to avoid possible attacks upon the Eastern seaboard by Axis planes. Senator Stewart said: “We should seize Martinique, French Guinea, and every other foot of soil from which enemy aeroplanes could attack.”

When enemy planes were sighted off Southern New England this afternoon the entire day shift of 14,000 men at the Bethlehem steel works at Quincy, Massachusetts, were sent homo;.