Knox stresses Japs’ strength
Three attacks made on Pearl Harbor, he says
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (UP) – Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox disclosed today that Japan made three separate assaults upon Pearl Harbor on December 7, but the third one – two hours after the first one – “never got home” because Army and Navy forces then were ready to meet it.
The Japanese now have “by far the largest naval force in the Western Pacific,” he said, warning that Japan was a strong enemy.
Mr. Knox spoke at graduation exercises for the 1942 class at the United States Naval Academy. The class of 547 midshipmen was scheduled for graduation next spring but the time was advanced because of the war.
A half hour’s warning before the first attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Knox said, “would have made all the difference in the world.” In his report earlier this week, he said the Hawaiian defenses were “not on the alert.”
Despite their crippled condition after the first two attacks, the Army and Navy mustered all their remaining resources for the third and laid down such a barrage from land and sea that enemy planes were forced to sheer off, he said.
“Not a single torpedo found its mark or did the slightest damage to our ships or to our equipment ashore,” he said of the third assault.
But the United States must not underestimate the combined military and naval power of the enemy, he warned, adding:
“Their forces include a huge and highly efficient army which, until very recently, carried all before it on the continent of Europe.
“They include a large, well-trained air force.
“They include a very considerable fleet – at present, by far the largest naval force in the Western Pacific, where most of the sea fighting will be done.”
Mr. Knox did not elaborate on his statement of Japan’s naval superiority in the Western Pacific, but it was assumed he meant in the area west of Hawaii, probably in the vicinity of the Philippines where this country’s Asiatic Fleet is based. The U.S. Fleet is divided into three units – the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic.
Ultimate victory predicted
While in its immediate effects and nearby results the attack on Pearl Harbor was a successful engagement for the Japanese, nevertheless, Mr. Knox said “in its longtime effects and its ultimate results, it will surely contribute to our certain victory;” Japan’s treachery united this country completely.
“A more damning account of infamous treachery was never recorded in the history of the world,” he said.
“But we ought to have been on our guard against treachery. If we had studied Japan’s record in the war with Russia when, in a similar manner, they descended upon the Russian fleet at a moment when those two nations were still at peace and destroyed that fleet without warning – if we had studied that and remembered that we would not have been surprised.”
He told the midshipmen that millions of young men would like to be in their places.
“There is no possible situation in which a young man of spirit would rather be placed than precisely where you men are placed today…,” he said.
“You are about to enter a world battle not merely of men and ships and airplanes but of ideals, philosophies and economic system.
“Our enemies seek to make the whole world subject to a small group of tyrannous powers. We fight to preserve the freedom of all peoples.
Fight for equality
“Our enemies proclaim the virtues of so-called superior races with a mystical fight to oppress all the other peoples of the earth. We fight for a world where every race and every nation will have an equal chance to grow and prosper.
“They proclaim war as the ultimate function of man. We see war as a horrible necessity, to be resorted to only when all else has failed.”
The things which “we are fighting for – and what we are fighting against” are our greatest assets, he said, and “victory – eventually and inevitably – will be ours.” In addition, he continued, we have the nations and peoples who are with us in this world battle. He called that roll:
The British Commonwealth of Nations: “A mighty union of democracies, rich in resources, rich in production facilities, rich in fighting tradition and the will to win.”
The Republic of China: “Four hundred million people, united in a determination to control their own destinies.”
The Soviet Union: “A great Slav people… fighting a heroic battle to drive the German invaders back.”
Numerous smaller nations: “Our sister republics of the Americas and the gallant governments in exile.”
Others seek opportunity
“There are many, many millions whom only the threat of the firing squad or the gallows keeps from open allegiance to our cause,” he said. “Brave burghers of Holland. Sturdy fishermen of Norway. Workers of Belgium.
“Frenchmen who have not forgotten Valmy – or Verdun. Greek shepherds in their hills. Czech craftsmen. And the Serbs and Albanians whose valor has already created a new front in the heart of conquered Europe.
“Today, merciless repression may keep these allies powerless to aid us openly. But many of them are already assisting in underground activity. And all of them but await the first opportunity to break into open revolt against their would-be masters.”
The graduates are the first to complete a shorted course initiated under the current emergency program. Commissions as ensigns in the line will go to 495 of the graduates and 24 will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Twenty-six will be honorably discharged, but Academy officials said they would probably receive commissions in the Naval Reserves and be called to active duty soon. Two other commissions are being held up.
Among the graduates was Isaac C. Kidd Jr., son of Rear Adm. Isaac C. Kidd, who was killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
I DARE SAY —
Parry-Graphs
By Florence Fisher Parry
Questions are coming in (to this department at least – and if here, surely elsewhere) as to the whereabouts of a man named Wendell Willkie as the nation swings into the greatest PRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, it has ever known.
If our memory serves (and whose does these days?) here was a man whose passion, amounting almost to a religion, was to make America strong through Production, Production. In a thousand fields, this Production has need of great men, ample men, men with the gift of getting along with other men. Dramatic men, if you will, headline men, men to stir the imagination and inspire followers. ARBITRATORS, men born for the supreme task of co-ordinating men!
Oh, what need there is of such!
So where IS Mr. Willkie?
Of course the grandest thing that has come out of the War was the answer the Pacific Marines gave when asked by Washington what we could do for them.
“Send us more Japs!” they replied.
Which reminds us of the singularly important plane slogans and phrases play in the writing of histories. We may forget everything else we ever learned in our history books, but “Don’t fire ‘til you see the whites of their eyes,” “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” “Fire when ready, Gridley,” stick. Upon dispassionate examination, few of these historic utterances were really profound or even inspired. Yet more deeply than the eloquence of poets, they are engraved upon our minds.
It is true that in the Navy especially, the cryptic orders of its commanders determine almost as much as actual deeds, the place in history of those who utter them.
The Great Shake-up, the Great Heartbreak, has happened; and wormwood and despair have settled upon the hearts of those who failed their country. We can well afford to pity them. They were trained in a school that did not spare them full knowledge of the penalties which faced neglect of duty. No one as well as they could possibly know what faces them henceforth.
Their lives are done for. Envy of their mates, who at least were vouchsafed the privilege of atonement in an honorable death in combat, will eat at their hearts like a slow cancer forever.
So let us have done with recriminations. The dead past has buried its thousands of victims. Out of terrible error has sprung an inestimable compensation. One hundred and forty millions of Americans are united in grief and in resolve, and never have the words of Abraham Lincoln been charged with so solemn a meaning as now: “…that these dead shall not have died in vain.”
…I have just picked up The Press of Thursday… right off the presses… The news is too good to be true. But I, born pessimist that I am, find myself searching quickly for the word SINGAPORE. The word has taken on almost unbearable meaning. I am amazed at the unconcern that I encounter on all sides, as the news of the War is discussed. It reveals an unbelievable indifference of the rank and file to what this seaport means TO US, not now but forever. Who holds Singapore holds the Pacific and so the oceanic world.
We were numbed at the fall of Paris. We were paralyzed at the convulsion at Dunkirk. Yet we toss of Singapore as though it were… just another Asiatic name.
Train your mind, train your eye, train your digest of the news, to revolve around Singapore. For what happens to Singapore, happens to history.
It is not possible for us to expect our First Lady, now that she has increased her activities to embrace civilian defense and many other War duties, to undertake, each day, the full writing of her column, which suddenly has become one of the most important agents of propaganda we have. In no department of propaganda could the Government hope to receive such dividends as will be reaped from “My Day.”
Do not, I pray you, ascribe to me at this critical time the unworthy motive of deploring this recourse! Any way that the interests of our country can be highlighted, let that torch be lit! Mrs. Roosevelt’s past activities will be as nothing to the tasks assigned to her now.
Who so small-minded as to deny or begrudge her the crutch of a competent ghost-writer?
Hewlett: Bomb squads meet barrage over Manila
24 enemy planes strike at Cavite naval base, nearby fort
By Frank Hewlett, United Press staff writer
MANILA (UP) – American anti-aircraft guns threw up a tremendous barrage against Japanese bomber squadrons striking at military bases in the Manila area today.
Eye-witnesses arriving from the west coast of Luzon reported that three Japanese transports had been seen in flames off Vigan.
An official communique said that 24 Japanese bombers attacked Cavite about noon. Later they were seen over Corregidor, where they met heavy anti-aircraft fire.
Heavy enemy casualties
American airplanes smashed repeatedly at the Japanese forces, including warships and at least two aircraft carriers, in the Vigan operations, refugees reaching Manila said, but considerable enemy forces were landed despite heavy casualties.
A war communique issued at Washington said that U.S. submarines sank a Japanese transport and probably a destroyer, presumably in the Philippines area.
The enemy forces landed at Vigan were engaged later and driven back by American and Filipino forces, which also were fighting a Japanese landing force in the Legaspi sector on the southeastern tip of Luzon.
Third landing contained
The third enemy landing, in the northern Aparri area, was still being held off by defense units.
The Tokyo radio claimed that Japanese forces landed near Legaspi were advancing in the direction of Manila after receiving reinforcements, occupying a large area northwest of Legaspi and driving back the defending forces.
Refugees returning to Manila from Legaspi said Filipino defenders, often using knives, were fighting furiously against the Japanese, usually in hand-to-hand combat.
Enemy air raids were renewed at noon today by 24 black winged Japanese bombers that flew in from the north and dumped numerous bombs near the Cavite naval base, about eight miles across the bay from Manila.
The planes, forced to a high altitude by defense fire from the ground, then turned toward Corregidor, the most strongly fortified point in the Philippines, about 25 miles out from the capital.
The anti-aircraft fire was particularly strong in the Corregidor area and huge white puffs could be seen in the sky over the fortress.
Previously, the Japanese had raided populous Iloilo on Panay Island and had attacked military establishments at Tarlac, 50 miles north of Manila.
Civilian defense preparations were going ahead rapidly in Manila and elsewhere.
A legion of “parashooters” to combat enemy parachute troops has been organized in 23 towns in Batangas Province, according to a dispatch to the Manila Bulletin.
The legion is composed of volunteer guards and residents possessing firearms and is under direction of police officials. Batangas is an important railroad and port town.
Given a tremendous boost by receipt of 10 million dollars from President Roosevelt’s emergency fund, many air raid shelters are to be built at once.
In view of the shipping shortage, fear was expressed that stocks of American cigarettes would soon be exhausted. The government’s National Tobacco Corp. has offered its services for improvement of locally-made aromatic cigarettes.
United troops hold firm
The Army said that only a small number of Japanese planes were involved in yesterday’s raid on Tarlac and that they attacked military objectives.
All reports indicated that U.S. and Philippine forces, now united, held firm against the Japanese at the three invasion centers in Luzon Island.
Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commanding the combined forces, announced today that the death penalty would be imposed on persons who entered closed Japanese establishments or who took anything from them without permission. Notices were posted at Japanese establishments in Manila, now under military guard, and warned that violators would be tried by courts-martial.
Quezon visits MacArthur
President Manuel L. Quezon, in excellent health and spirits, visited Gen. MacArthur, the communique said, to repay a visit Gen. MacArthur paid him yesterday. President Quezon also greeted members of Gen. MacArthur’s staff.
It was announced also that Gen. Basilio Valdes, chief of staff of the Philippine Army, and his entire staff, were inducted into the service of U.S. forces in the Far East today under the arrangement by which all U.S. and Philippine forces are coordinated under Gen. MacArthur. Col. Richard J. Marshall of Virginia was the inducting officer.
Victory at Legaspi claimed by Tokyo
BERLIN – A Tokyo dispatch today said that Japanese troops in Southern Luzon had conquered the entire territory northwest of Legaspi.
The dispatch said that Japanese troops were “pursuing” the enemy and that Japanese air forces had carried out continuous attacks on airdromes near Manila.
“The enemy’s main forces have already been annihilated so the Japanese experience little resistance,” the dispatch said.
Army officer’s speech probed
Planes lacking in Hawaii, Air Corps colonel says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (UP) – Col. H. C. Kress Muhlenberg, former commandant at Hickam Field, Hawaii, was “confined to quarters” at Fort Hayes last night pending outcome of an inquiry concerning a speech he delivered in which he charged that insufficient planes were available to resist the Japanese attack on the Hawaiian Islands December 7.
Col. Muhlenberg, 54, air officer for the Fifth Corps Area, who applied for retirement two months ago and has since been on leave from active duty, said in a speech at a banquet Wednesday night that “it was just plain luck” that Japan did not take Hawaii in the surprise attack.
Navy a ‘gone gosling’
He was in uniform when he addressed the Flying Club, Curtiss Wright Co. executives, federal and state aeronautics officials and newspaper reporters here.
His retirement was to have become effective at the end of his accrued leave. Col. Muhlenberg was the commanding officer at Hickam Field from 1938 to 1940.
In his talk, he described the Navy as a “gone gosling.” He said the Navy “has its place, but it is a bad, bad second” to the Air Corps.
“Now that the war has come, the American people are going to ask where are all of the planes that we’ve been producing. You can’t send your planes all over the world and have them in Hawaii when they are needed.
Army officer investigates
“We almost lost our most vital possession in the Pacific because there weren’t enough planes. But the Japs were too dumb. They spread their attack too much and erred in not taking Hawaii. The American people are going to be hunting for goats to blame. But they are the goats because they wouldn’t let the Air Corps have the planes.”
He described the Philippines as a “military liability” but said this country would have to make them a “Gibraltar” or “get out.”
Col. William H. W. Young, Army inspector general, began an investigation to determine whether Col. Muhlenberg violated War Department regulations. He will report on his investigation to Maj. Gen. Daniel Van Voorhis, commanding the Fifth Corps Area, who will decide what action shall be taken. An Army officer took depositions from several persons who heard Col. Muhlenberg’s talk.
Hull denies ban asked on Navy
No patrol lull sought during Jap talks
WASHINGTON (UP) – Secretary of State Cordell Hull today vigorously denied reports that the State Department had requested suspension of naval patrols around Hawaii during the pre-war diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Japan.
Mr. Hull blisteringly denounced the report at a press conference, characterizing it as a fifth column story, or at least a twin brother to a fifth column. He added that there was not a shred of truth, either expressed or implied, in the report – or any part of it.
The report had gained widespread circulation since the sneak attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor December 7 and even had been heard in congressional circles, according to the question which brought forth Mr. Hull’s emphatic denial.
Mr. Hull went on to say that the State Department and the Navy never, during his tenure of office, had discussed any phase of the question of patrols either about Hawaii or in any other part of the Pacific.
At the time of the negotiations the Japanese liner Tatuta Maru reportedly was en route to this country with American evacuees and to repatriate Japanese nationals from the United States. The report in its original form said the Japanese had asked the patrols be withdrawn while the Tatuta Maru was passing through Hawaiian waters.
To further clinch his denial, Mr. Hull said it was a fact that during times of peace vessels of other nations are not interfered with by any patrols which might be in operation anywhere.
OPM reorganizes to give industrialists more voice
Plan seeks to avoid delays in plant conversion; other changes expected to follow
WASHINGTON (UP) – The Office of Production Management has ordered an internal reorganization to give industrial spokesmen greater voice in the new war production program, it was learned today.
OPM officials said the reorganization was an “initial one” with further changes scheduled to follow in an effort to set the OPM on the virile, wartime basis needed to carry out the 150-billion-dollar victory program. The Supply Priorities and Allocations Board was understood to have suggested the reorganization.
The initial plan, it was disclosed, places the many branches – which advice the OPM divisions and represent auto, refrigerator, electrical farm equipment, plumbing and other manufacturers – under direct responsibility to OPM Co-Directors William S. Knudsen and Sidney Hillman, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox.
Seeks to avoid delays
Heretofore, the branches have been responsible to various other OPM officials and to their respective divisions such as production, materials, labor, purchasing, contract distribution and priorities.
The old plan led to many costly delays in working out proper curtailment programs for peacetime industries with the result that when the actual orders finally were completed there “was no time left to work out an adequate conversion program,” officials said.
Under the new plan, the branches will draw up curtailment and conversion programs simultaneously on recommendation of the various divisions. The programs then would be approved or disapproved by the OPM directly.
Other plans considered
Other reorganization plans said to be under consideration within the OPM are:
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Appointment of an executive director who would have under his command a production and conversion branch and a procurement and production planning unit.
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Streamlining of present OPM divisions to eliminate overlapping functions which again have cropped up between the priorities, civilian supply and the materials divisions over curtailment programs.
Japan’s industrial centers offer bombing ‘field day’
American engineers made Tokyo comparatively safe from fire hazards, but centralized steel, oil, power plants seen highly vulnerable from air
SAN FRANCISCO – Contrary to popular opinion, Tokyo probably would NOT go up in flames and smoke at the first American air attack but the concentrated industries of the land of the Rising Sun offer luscious targets to U.S. bombers.
Japan, unlike America, whose industries are spread over wide areas, is highly vulnerable to bombing assaults, and American fliers picking their spots probably would have a field day.
Bombs could halt production
For instance, an accurate bombing attack on Japan’s hydroelectric plants, grouped in a small area southwest of Nikko, virtually could halt defense production on Nippon’s main island.
And a successful raid on the island of Sakhalin, off the Russian coast, could blast a great part of Japan’s home oil production.
Japanese steel production also would be dealt a heavy blow by a fruitful raid on Yawata, on the island of Kyushu, where a single plant produces about 60 percent of the country’s steel output.
Thus, electricity, oil and steel – all vital war weapons – are vulnerable.
Electric plants concentrated
Most of Japan’s industry is dependent upon a great generating system near Nikko. The hydroelectric plants are in mountainous areas, where defense airports are hard to build. They produce about 80 percent of Japan’s electric power, which has been rationed since a big drought in 1939.
Auxiliary generators are few and far between. There is a coal shortage. And the steam standby plants are having their troubles. Electric power lost, then, could not be recouped in a hurry.
Steel works good target
From Sakhalin, Japan gets about 200,000 tons of oil annually, three-fifths of its domestic production, but only a small part of the five million tons needed in peacetime.
The steel plant at Yawata is well guarded with army and naval bases, but it lies close to the water and bombers wouldn’t have too much trouble locating it.
The same vulnerability doesn’t apply to Tokyo, Japan’s metropolis. You have heard people say that its houses would burn like tinder if incendiary bombs were showered on the city.
Americans re-zoned Tokyo
But that is not the case. American engineers re-zoned the city after the great fire and earthquake in 1923 and laid it out in big squares separated by canals and wide streets. Fire started in one section wouldn’t spread to another section very easily.
The large cities of Kobe and Osaka are more vulnerable and in their areas are concentrated many vital plants producing explosives, steel and ships. From Kobe harbor goes out a great part of the supplies to the Japanese forces fighting at sea and in other lands.
Another ‘R-Day’ soon indicated
Draft registration within 90 days ordered
WASHINGTON (UP) – Quick action on registration of additional men under the draft law was seen today in a memorandum by Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Selective Service director.
Chairman Robert R. Reynolds, D-North Carolina, of the Senate Military Affairs Committee read, during Senate debate of the draft law changes, a memorandum from Gen. Hershey to a subordinate, instructing him to make preparations for the immediate registering of men from 19 to 21 and from 36 to 44, inclusive.
Gen. Hershey’s note said that new registrants were to be added to the lists of present registrants within 90 days, and that men already classified would have their records rechecked for possible changes.
