The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-09

Diego TemAlneu m uarkneSS
 Considerable confusion surround Cd tho alert signals which many persong assumed to be practice oalei and which even tho police twice an ncunced were test warnings.
 The flrat was ordered when planes were detected about 100 miles off san Francisco. Brigadler General William Ryan, commanding the fourth interceptor command, wal convinced they were enemy craft
 He said the Navy was attempting Co "locate and give battle" to them
 The second warning presumably was caused by .. s. Navy patrol bolaberB that failed to identify themselves.
 In Hell Oe . Spot
 "We're In Q hell of e spot here and we just can't take any chances" Ryan said.t
 The initial "enemy" froce, Ryan said, was believed to number 60 planes. He said 1t ventured to the entrance to the Golden Gate. The planes were flying too high to be caught by searchlights. They soon disappeared to sea.
 The report was relAyed up and down the coast. Radio stations were ordered off the cir lest their signals afford direction posts. Blackouts were imposed ct Army posts, Navy bases, defense plants and numerous cities.
 RiotIng followed in Seattle where crowds numbering almost 5000 per. sons swarmed the streets and kicked in windows and broke electric signs Of xneRchants who hadn't observed the blackout.
 Los Angeles radio stations that had been restricted to broadcastine Identification calls each half hour were ordered oil the air completely "until further notice"
 "A bright moon to some extent of. set the biackout in California but the northwest was overcast and past experience in trial blackouts have given the area chance to perfect It's "alert" organization.
 The "alert" was Issued at 2:06 a m. PET (6:00 c. m. EsT). It wai first believed that . stray naval patrol bomber was off the coast, but Maj. c. II. Titus, public relations otioer for the fourth army, said "Ttis is Q different situation now.
 Enemy Planes CIOse
 Col. John Clark, coEnmandant At Mcclellan field, Sacramento, said 4 had been authenticated" that "en- eRiy planes" were "close or over the Golden date."
 Brig. Gen. William Ryan, com. xnanding the fourth interceptor colii- mand, ordered the blackout when Ms- tenlng posts picked up sounds ot more than one" aircraft of the Golden Gate.
 There was some belief the aircraft might be naval patrol bombers, but Ryan said "We're going Co shoot down any plane that doesnt Identify itself"
 The blackout extended inland to Sacramento and to Vallejo.
 The federal communications com. mission ordered Los Angeles radio stations to cease broadcastlng com- pletely until further notice" It offered no explanation. Earlier the stations had been permitted to broadcast station identincatIons each half hour.
 Sirens walled throughout the city Police squad cars halted late motor ists and forced them to turn of their lights. Street lights blinked out, sec- ton by section.
 It was the second blackout of the night. The first came early last evening when, Ryan said, GO planes were detected approaching tho coast That force came within 20 miles of San Francisco before turning back to see, he said.
 The navy, Ryan said, was attempt ing to "locate and give battle to the planes.
 Radios Ordered on Air
 Up and own the coast radio stations were ordered of the air lest their signals give directions to raiders Blackolits were imposed ct army posts, navy bases, defense plants, and numerous cities. As lights flashed oil, army anti-aircraft searchllghts flashed on and anti- aircraft guns were manned.
 Tn San Francisco, the city pulled Che switches on street and bridge Fights. including the big span across the Golden Gate, and Mayor Angelo Rossis stan hastily began a telephone campaign to get commercial signs and residential lights turned of Ferry sirens screamed an air raid warning.
 For 66 minutes the alarm, original iy broadcast by the police radio sys- tenn, was in effect before the police announced an all clear. At no time, police said, were there panic here Motorists, stopped by police on street corners and ordered to dim their lights, drove to nearby hills to watch for enemy raiders.
 Police and volunteers went from door-to-dOor warning residents to pull their shades.
 Portland, most of the Pacific north- west, San Diego and all the province Of British Columbia were blacked out. Los Angeles was not.
 The bIackout and air raid alarm here was begged in confusion. Con- 1licting orders and statements be- fudled even the police. Twice they advised that tho blackout and alarm