Evening star., 1941-12-08
Jeanette Rankin
Casts Only Vote
Against War
Senate Unanimous,
House 388 to ! in
Swift Decision
By GOULD LINCOLN.

SVit SS@iSISIi
BY GOULD LINCOLN.
The vote by Congress TO declare
war came with almost breath-taklng
speed today, as the Senate, express
ing itself UNANIMOUSLY, 82-to-0, wait
ed less than IS minutes after Presi
dent Roosevelt finished speaking to
give its sanction 10 the war resolu-
tion he asked.
The Senate began voting on the
issue just few seconds after ! pm.
and the House followed az :05 pm
The vote in the House was 383
to !, the single dissenting vote being
cast by Representative Jeannette
Rankin, Republican, Of Montana.
Miss Rankin also voted against the
declaration OF war in April 1917.
Resolution Rushed.
Shortly after the President deliv-
cred his message. the House reas
sembled in regular session and Ma
jority Leader Mccormack called up
his resolution declaring that a state
Of war exists with imperialist Japan
and asked for its consideration under
a unanimous consent agreement. His
request was granted.
Representative Mccormack then
asked consent 10 make 20-second
speech 10 the House. in which he de-
scribed Japans attack on United
States outposts as "dastardly" This
is the time for action" he declared
His brief remarks were greeted
with an outburst of applause and
cheers and a few members cried
vote"
Minority Leader Martin immedi
ately followed Representative Nc
Cormack with a plea for unanimous
approval Of the war declaration reso-
luton.
At the outset he declared the
Nation faces a grave crisis and has
been challenged by ruthless foe"
Mr.. Martin pointed out the at
tack on the United States outposts
came az a time when this country
was trying to make peace negotia-
tions with Japan.
Cities have been ruthleSsly
bombed" he said. Every night I
have uttered a silent prayer that
this country be spared of war.
America is challenged he de-
clared. we are confronted by this
treacherous attack and forced to 60
to war. There can be no peace until
the enemy is made to pay for the
dastardly crime"
House Stands to Cheer.
Representative Martin predicted
| that as a result of Japans action
! there would be a warm and spon-
| taneous" response to America s
/ declaration of war. He said all
/ forces-of the civil life, military life,
/ farm life and labor life would join
IN a united effort to bring about the
defeat of the enemy.
In view of the developments of
( the past 49 hours, the President S
request has my support" he de-
clared, amid an outburst of deafen-
ing applause. When the roll is
called on this resolution I hope there
will not be a dissenting voice. Let
us show the world we are united
Nation God will give us strength
and courage to carry on"
AS Representative Martin returned
to his seat, virtually every member
of the House stood, cheered anc
applauded.
Speaker Rayburn had little diff
ficulty restoring order in the House
chamber after departure of the
President. Several times he vigor-
ously banged the gavel and pleaded
! with members to take their seat:
and stop conversation so that the
way could be paved for considera-
ton of the Mccormack resolution
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 have
been opposed to the entry of thi:
country into war. the unWarrantec
and dastardly attack made upon thi!
country by Japan while peace nego,
tiations were still continuing, make:
war inevitable. The time for debate
has passed. The time for action ha:
come. Non-interventionists anc
interventionists must present 6
united front There is only ont
answer to the treacherous attack!
by Japan-war to victory
Mr. Fish said he would offer hi!
services as Reserve officer anc
added that he preferred to serve
with colored troops. He is veteran
of the last World War. In consul,
sion he said: Il appeal to the whole
American people and particularly tt
my own party and to the non-inter'
ventionists to unite behind tn,
President" He was applauded q!
he concluded.
'Mr. Speaker, Mr.. Speaker,