Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-12-11
Government Issues
War With Japan
BY Hjalmar Petersen,

Arriving in Washington Sunday
evening as member of the Legis-
lative committee of the National AS
ISOLATION of Railroad and Utilitie:
Commissioners to attend Senate hear
ings on proposed legislation with
reference to interstate trucks, it wa:
my fortune to be able to sit in anc
listen to the joint session of the
House and Senate on Monday noon
Dec. 8, when the resolution was
adopted declaring that state of wal
exists between the United States ano
Japan. Through the efforts of Sena-
tor Henrik Shipstead and Representa-
tive Harold Knutson from our Sixth
Minnesota district, / had a seat in the
crowded House gallery during this
brief but historic session.
The situation was tense. There
were stern looks upon the faces OF
members of Congress, the Supreme
Court, Cabinet members, foreign dip
lomatS, and all the visitors. At 1890
President Roosevelt and his aides ar
rived from the White House. Every
one arose and thunderous applause
greeted the President. He was grim
faced, but a smile came through. He
spoke in his usual calm manner
slowly and with no particular en-
phasis at any point, for the address
was short-5O0 words-and consumed
but five minutes. Every word was
important and history-making.
After reviewing briefly what had
taken place in the Pacific ocean the
day before-death and destruction OF
American men and property-the
President asked Congress that it pass
a resolution declaring state of war
exists between the United States and
Japan. It was a momentous step
There was the utmost silence in the
chamber while the President solemn
ly uttered his words. There were
tear-minded eyes and weeping on
the part of some people, anger showed
in other faces, and determination and
will to do prevailed all over the
chamber.
Thousands of people crowded the
streets around the capitol. Police
and military guards were everywhere
in evidence. Admission to the CAPT.
toll was by card only and those cards
were checked and double-checked.
After the President left the joint
session, again amid great applause,
the Supreme Court, cabinet members,
diplomats and others left, and the
Senators marched in a body to their
chamber to deliberate and vote on the
resolution.
Majority Leader Mccormack called
up the war resolution and was the
first to speak on it. In his 2O-second
speech he said the attack by Japan
was "dastardly" and "this is the time
for action"
Minority Leader Martin declared
that "the nation faces a grave crisis
and has been challenged by ruthless
foe.
"Cities have been ruthlessIy
bombed. Every night 1 have uttered
a silent prayer that this country be
spared of war.
America is challenged. We are
confronted by this treacherous at
tack and forced to 60 to war. There
can be no peace until the enemy is
made to pay for the dastardly crime"
Representative Martin predicted
that as a result of Japan's action
there would be warm and spon-
response to Americas dec
laration of war.
Fish Demands Action.
Representative Fish of New York,
a bitter opponent of the Presidents
foreign policy in the past, took the
floor in support of the war resolu-
ton.
1T is with sorrow and deep re-
sentiment I arise to support this res
olution," he said. although I have
been opposed to the entry of this
into war, the unwarranted
and dastardly attack made upon this
by Japan while peace nego-
tiations were still continuing, makes
war inevitable. The time for debate
has passed. The time for action has
come. observation-disclosures, and in
must present a united
front. There is only one answer to
the treacherous attacks by Japan
war to victory"
In conclusion Mr.. Fish said: 81 ap-