The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-15

however, was not forthcoming, he said, and there followed the most recent phase of conversations which ended with the attack on Hawaii.
 'There Is the record, for all his- tory to read In anlazement, in sor- row, In horror, and in disgust" he said. We are now at war. We are fighting In self-dsfense,"
 Knox Back Last Night
 Knox returned to the capital last night, saw the president then, and was back at the White House this morning as the first caller of the day. It was expected that his confer enceS with the president might rec suit in formulation of new policies in the light of actual war conditions and his firSt-hand knowledge of the situation in Hawaiian strongholds,
 There was still no indication when the government would make Q more complete report to the public on damage at Pearl Harbor, huge U, s. naval base outside Honolulu, which bore the brunt of Japan's surprise attack a week ago yesterday,
 White House Secretary stephen T, Early said that any additional in- formation on the subject would come from Knox, but that he did not know when 1t would be ready. Last weeks White House announcements told of severe damage at Pearl Har- bor and nearby army posts, with 5000 casualties and loss of two war ships.
 Speculation On Result
 There was speculation whether KnoXs investigation would lead to changes in either army or navy command in the Hawaiian area, This was coupled with reports that Admiral D. Leahy would return from his ambaSsadorial post in Viehy to take high defense posi- ton, possibly as commander Of the entire mid-Pacihc area, Leahy Is 66 years old,
 Wake Island Resists
 The navy's announcement that on Wake Island "the marines continue to resist" added to the enthusiasm with which Congress approached It's urgent job. It was probable, how ever, that Guam and it's garrison of 100 navy ratings and officers and iSS marines had been captured, Nothing has been revealed from Midway Island since 9 Q. m Saturday when the navy said 1t was continuing to resist.
 The war departments bill to reg. ister men from le' to 64 years for military and non-defense selectiye service is to begin moving this week as Congress attempts quickly to complete action on drop.in.the- bucket Slo,0o0, 900 900 appropriation, Backed up behind that Is e new tax to levy between $S.000, 900 900 and Sl0000' 'OO0, 900, largely against in! come tax payers.
 New War Powers
 New war powers for the president VIII include 6 trading with the enemy act which will give him con. trols over business and communica. lions, Price control and anti-strike legislation have been laid aside, tenn. porarily, partly because Congress haS no time to deal with them, N
 wednesdays conference between management and labor may develop methods satisfactory to tho admin. Strat!on for preventing interrup. tions Of defense production. Tn that event, administration support of anu"strike legislation probably will ne withdrawn, Q prospect already dismaying to those In Congress who neneved . fortnight ago they finally had persuaded Mr. Roosevelt to put some brakes on labor leaders,
 On the home front, the govern. ment announced creation of n war insurance corporation capitalized at Sl00,0O0,o00 to protect private pron. erty owners against bomb or similar oainage, No premiums will be re. quired for the time being nor will II pc necessary to apply for such In. Suranee before property Is dam.
 On the diplomatic front. thre, tag.along nations have joined thf AXIS in war against the United states, They are Hungary, RumaniO and Bulgaria,
 Nine Caribbean and Central Americans nations have jo!ned the united States In war against the AXIS and the other American repu. lios have stated or shown their friendship to the Democratic cauSe -ali of which Is Q welcome dividend on the Roosevelt administration < good neighbor policy.
 Turkey announced her continued neutrality despite recent lend .lease aid, but far less comforting was word rom Dublin that President EaInon pc ValeraS neutrality policies would not change.
 Somewhat more encouraging was me word Of Russian Ambassador Maxim Litvinov 1t his first press conference here that the JapaI,ese were part of the same gangD which was attacking the Soviet Union,
 Washington, December ib-(UP)-- This capital appears destined today to become the general headouarters of the second World War, with the possibility that some of the refugee government will move here from London.
 Americas position as the arsenal or Democracy" her locations bee tween and Involvement m both the Pacific and Atlantic wars, and gen eral world conference in her leader ship are aScribed as logical reasons why the center of control will shift from the British Isles.
 Washington is remote from the ighting front and believed immune