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Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 09, 1941
Page
3
A wartime column analyzes east coast air raid alarms and their impact, arguing false alarms are better than panic. It praises American unity after Pearl Harbor, criticizes calls for court martial over Pearl Harbor losses, and highlights police preparations and the need for balance and humor during wartime.
Japanese warplanes reconnoitered over the San Francisco Bay area as alarms spread along the Pacific coast. Officers said two squadrons crossed from the Pacific and lights were blacked out from San Diego to British Columbia.
United Press reports Tokyo announces an offensive on the Burma road via northern Thailand and says it seized 208 enemy merchant ships totaling about 80,000 tons, including the United States liner President Harrison. Britain denies a Japanese land attack on Hong Kong and a single plane is reported shot down.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt will speak at 9 p.m. Iowa time, about the Nazi pattern of the war and less about Pacific operations, a half hour broadcast across major networks and shortwave world wide. Secretary Early said the talk aims to clarify strategic aspects amid tense diplomatic reports and growing defense alerts.
Japanese air and land assault strikes Manila area, driving about 200,000 residents into hills for safety. Early Tuesday moonlight raids set flames alight on the southern city edge after alarms at 3 am. Mindanao reports of small Japanese landings and rumors of an uprising are noted, with U S forces maintaining control. Ensign Robert George Tills killed at Davao.
President Roosevelt designated Japanese Italian and German nationals as enemy aliens and issued proclamations restricting their conduct. Proclamations require aliens to preserve peace, avoid crimes, refrain from aiding enemies, and permit restraints or removal from the United States. Japanese face additional regulations and travel limits to Hawaii and the Philippines under War Department rules.
Major General Dargue disputed that the eastern alarms were rehearsals while New York City in panic mode twice sounded alarms within an hour. A second alert followed a Mitchel Field fire, with evacuees sent home across Long Island and civilians ordered from bases in Quonset Point and Boston.
Secretary of State Hull said the United States must stay on guard against sudden German moves aiding Japan and warned against international desperadoes roaming the globe. He cited Pearl Harbor as an example of stealthy aggression and urged national readiness to respond with full strength.
Washington AP reports Rep Vincent leads House Naval Committee in demanding Navy Secretary Knox and Admiral Stark order a court martial for Kimmel to determine guilt or innocence in the Hawaiian defense failure at Pearl Harbor. Dingell warns of higher probes if accountability ends short.
Representative John D. Dingell urged a court martial for six top Army and Navy leaders over the Pearl Harbor defeat. He named Lt. Gen. Walter Short, Admiral Kimmel, Gen. H. H. Arnold, and five others, calling the disaster a naval debacle and demanding accountability.
Reports from New York say Columbia and Formosa were bombed but officials say the information is unconfirmed. Manila dispatch notes a Tokio broadcast stating no enemy planes crossed over Japanese territory up to 10:20 p.m. Tokio time.
London dispatch says German radio reports Japanese authorities have ordered air raid precautions in northern and southwestern areas. The notice names regions and implies heightened civil defense measures amid wartime tensions.
The House Military Affairs Committee approved a bill to repeal limits on using selectees and National Guardsmen outside the Western Hemisphere and U.S. possessions. It would end the 30 month service cap for selectees and allow full wartime service duration with a six month postwar period. Chairman Andrew J. May said the measure seeks to remove territorial restrictions on units under the Selective Service Act and the National Guard Mobilization Act.
Washington officials ordered general precautionary alerts at Army and Navy air stations. No specific enemy attack information prompted the measures, and authorities stressed that no bomber threat was identified for New York City or other locations.
Washington reports on Senate floor claims that a large portion of the Pacific fleet was wiped out and calls for transparency. The Army counters that no casualties occurred among families of stationed personnel. The war alliance grew to 18 nations supporting the United States against Japan, including England, Holland, Panama, Mexico, and South Africa. Tokyo official spokesmen praised early Japanese air and naval advances believed to shift the balance in the Pacific.
Berlin sources said a clarifying statement on the U S Japan war was expected within 24 hours. A Reichstag meet was cited as possibly receiving Germany’s official position, while Stockholm reports claimed Germany would declare war on the United States soon.
The Gazette urges Americans to support the government with regular purchases of defense bonds and stamps. Bonds cost as little as 18.75 dollars and stamps as low as 10 cents, available at banks post offices and some retail stores.
New York residents faced an air alert after reports of hostile planes two hours out of New York. Mitchel Field launched all aircraft and evacuated families while air corps detectors awaited confirmation. Secretary of State Hulin Washington urged nationwide vigilance for a possible surprise attack. Civilian spotters were deployed from observation towers.
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