12 Dec 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
Roswell Daily Record
Location
Roswell, New Mexico, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1941
Page
1
Japanese air and sea attacks intensified on Luzon as U S ships clashed with Japanese forces near the Philippines. Wake Island held by Marines, Guam reportedly fell per Tokyo, AFL cites navy briefings, and U S bombers retaliated against Japan.
Japanese forces land in several Philippine areas while Cavite base suffers air raid damage. One battleship sunk and another heavily damaged with notable aircraft losses. American defense holds steadily amid these attacks.
Roy Schmid twenty two year old son of Mr and Mrs Jakob Schmid of the Berrendo district was killed in service in the Philippines per War Department notice to his family. He is the first Roswell man to die for his country in this war. The Schmid family mourns a fine young man and former Roswell High student who had been in the army since March 14 1941. Manila December 12 Jap warships withdrew after engagement with American forces in the Philippines and fresh land air attacks were warned. Admiral Hart said US Asiatic fleet saw one inconclusive encounter as Japanese raids hit Cavite Legaspi Olongeapo Clark Field and northern Luzon. He added the raid caused heavy losses but overall Japanese raid considered successful. Continued to Page Eight.
Daily temperature readings at three hour intervals show a high of 56 and a low of 36 for today with a 24 hour precipitation of 0.17 inches. Normal highs and lows are 53 and 25. Month to date precipitation is 0.34 inches, year to date 32.92 inches. Sunrise occurs at 6 52 and sunset at 4 52 with a 10 hour day.
War department moves to widen draft registration to men aged 18 to 65 with a plan to train those 19 to 44. Speaker Rayburn says hearings begin tomorrow and that women are not under consideration for registration.
Chaves county already reported over 2700 in donations for the Red Cross war relief fund as of noon today. Will C. Lawrence, campaign chairman, said the response was wonderful and expected the quota of 5000 to be reached by voluntary gifts. Donations may be left at the First National Bank, Chamber of Commerce, post office or local Building and Loan associations. City schools contributed 147.50 in a 100 percent participation.
Miss Lillis Fisher was elected chairman of the First Aid Instructors Club at a meeting last night. Mrs. Louis Fay was elected vice-chairman, and Miss Eula Bybee, secretary-treasurer. Plans were made for starting more first aid classes in the immediate future. Announcement will be made soon as to when the classes will start.
President Roosevelt said the United States still held Wake Island as AFL announced Japanese capture of about 1,000 construction workers and reported Midway and Guam fallen. Navy later denied these losses while confirming Wake Island defense. Prime Minister Churchill aid and defense bond sale gains noted. Congress to consider universal service registration for ages 19 to 45. Major MacArthur Luzon attack reported. Continuea To Page Four.
Honolulu dispatch reports six Japanese raid waves over Oahu last Sunday targeting Pearl Harbor Hickam Field and Kaneohe Bay. The assault killed 49 civilians and injured over 100, with Washington estimating total casualties around 3,000 across armed forces and civilians as martial law is proclaimed.
The Record reports a false rumor that Orville Brookshier of Roswell was killed in action. The paper urges stopping rumor circulation to ease the anxiety of service families and their burdens.
A Florida-born West Pointer Captain Colin P. Kelly Jr. died after planting three bombs on the Japanese battleship Haruna during Pearl Harbor retaliation. MacArthur issued a posthumous tribute, noting Kelly’s three direct hits left Haruna burning. Details of his death remain unclear as the war department confirms the fatal mission.
A telegram from Major Fisk, district recruiting officer in New Mexico, states that married men may be enlisted if they meet requirements and sign statements showing dependents have support. Selectees who passed physical but have not been ordered for induction may be shipped without local board reference. The office will notify selective service boards and requests wide publicity via radio and newspaper.
Albuquerque establishes a municipal air raid defense department the first of its kind in the nation with strict blackout rules. Heavy fines and jail sentences are set for noncompliance as Mayor Clyde Tingley warns against San Francisco style confusion. Frank Darrow named coordinator of the new agency.
Major James R. Kelly delivered a keynote address at the Lions dinner titled America Faces Japan. He predicted a decisive U.S. victory, contrasted Axis principles with American values, and noted Japan's failed attempt at a knockout blow. The club donated 25 to the Red Cross and bought a 100 Defense Bond while presenting Kelly a gift.
Bids are invited to drill 2 to 4 artesian wells at the army air base site. Bids will be opened in Roswell on December 19. Officials expect additional contracts to be issued soon.
AP reports Japanese broadcasts claiming New York was bombed and stock exchange closed were entirely without basis. Shanghai quoted Reuters and Chungking radio, Saigon notes NYSE suspension amid war news, but both stories are untrue.
War department restrictions prohibit publicizing troop locations and unit designations both in the United States and abroad. Navy censorship also bars names of ships and units in fatalities reports. The message underscores that during wartime, Army details must avoid naming units or exact destinations to prevent aiding the enemy.
The Roswell Record reports workplaces are enabling payroll deductions for Defense Stamps with every employee participating. The plan deducts any chosen amount from each paycheck, and the newspaper invites other firms with full staff participation to publish their names.
Mrs. Wesley Foster of Gross- Miller Grocery Company had run an ad in the Record seeking an experienced delivery boy. This morning she phoned to cancel the ad saying the first day brought 25 applicants and she was overwhelmed with interviews, leaving her unable to attend regular work.
A brief note laments an overlong classified ad that cannot be contained by standard limits. The writer jokes about the ad’s persistence and the old saying that too much of a good thing can be negative.
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