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Volume XXIVW.M.A. Corps HearsPresident’s SpeechAs He Declares WarCadets Are Serious As Colonel Jackson Explains U. S.SituationAt 11:00 A. M. Monday, the entire cadet corps niet in special assembly to hear President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress asking* for a declaration of war against Japan. Radios on the platform broadcast the historic event.While waiting for the speech to start, Col. R. L. Jackson summarized Japan’s military past. He recalled how the Japs in 1905 had used the same tactics against Russia as they used against the U. S. This trick was to send a special messenger to talk peace while they struck swiftly and treacherously at unguarded bases. At the same time he pointed out that Japan’s attack on Honolulu was not a rash, hasty action but a premeditated and planned blow with three distinct aims. The Japs hoped to cripple a large portion of the U. S. navy; second, they hoped to divert the flow ofsupplies which the U. S. is sendingto Africa and to other places to aid in the fight against Germany; third, the airplane carriers hoped to lure the U. S. ships into a trap set by Japanese submarines. Col. Jackson said there is no doubt that Germany was behind the whole movement.itk,IrThe President’s SpeechAt 11:30 the President’s speech came on the air. He addressed both houses in joint session. His talk was brief, determined, and to the point. He summed up the events of the war and requested Congress to declare war on the Japanese Empire. He pledged every resource of the nation to winning an ultimate victory. After the speech, the corps stood while the National Anthem was played.Col. Jackson. again took the floor. He outlined the counter attack which the U. S. must make. He then opened the meeting for discussion. Answering a question by Cadet Lutz, he explained the difference between Japanese and American character and toldwhy the Japs would consider .them-lt;f selves right. Waters asked if the draft age would be lowered to 18 years. The Colonel thought it would be. Nott Describes Pearl HarborCadet Nott of Honolulu then was asked to speak. He lives only a very short distance from Pearl Harbor,r ' 'which was bombed. His mother isnow supposed to be on a ship sailing toward America. Nott described the airport which was bombed and stated that it would make a good target. He also explained the strategic positions of the various islands. After he had answered a few questions, the assembly was dismissed.As the cadets walked across the |campus, they felt that they had attended the most important meeting of their, lives. They had heard the President declare war on an empire 4,000 miles away, yet this declaration will affect the lives of every cadet. All will somehow contribute to the service. This was the decree of theirPresident.t]*L(]4'cttctrCrC
Newspaper Details
Alton Western Military Academy Shrapnel
Alton, Illinois, US
Thu, Dec 11, 1941
Page 3
Full Page
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IL, 06 Dec 2021
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