Evening star., 1941-12-08
Britain Declares War
On Japs, A|Iying
Herself With u. ).
Pronouncement Issued
By Churchill Before
Session of Commons
b. the AssocIated Press.

Toxic government, without waiting
for Washington first to formulate an
American declaration.
Prime Minister Churchill said:
1T only remains now for the two
great democracies to face their tasks
with whatever strength God may
give them
At the same time Britain made
allies Of Thailand and Free China.
tThailand has ceased fighting, how
ever, and is negotiating with the
Japanese
Prime Minister Churchill told the
House of Commons that instructions
had been forwarded to the British
Embassy at Toxic and that at l pm.
t7am. f. S. t a note was handed
to the japanese Charge d At1alres
here stating that in view Of Japan S
Wanton acts Of unproyoked aggreS-
sion the British government m
formed them that state Of war eX-
listed between the TWO countries.
Mr.. Churchill recalled that with
the full approval OF the nation ana
of the empire I pledged the word OF
Great Britain about month ago
that should the United States be
involved in war with Japan Brit
ish declaration would follow within
the hour
Mr.. Churchill declared that
Britain had assured Thalland that
an attack on her will be regarded
as an attack on US and that ne
had messaged GeneralisSimo Chang
Kai-shek Of Free China, assuring
him that henceforWard we WouIo
face a common foe together"
Mr.. Churchill disclosed that he
consulted President Roosevelt IN
trans Atlantic telephone call last
night with a view to arranging the
timing Of our respective declara-
tions." He explained that the Pres
ident informed him only the Con-
gress could declare the United States
at war.
IT then answered him We would
follow Immediately However, II
soon appeared that British territory
In Malaya had also been the object
of Japanese attack and later on 1t
was announced from Toxic that the
japanese high commando curious
form-rot the Imperial japanese
government but the japanese high
comnand-had declared that state
of war existed between them and
Great Britain and the United
States"
House Stands and Cheers.
That situation. Mr. Churchill
went on. left no need to wait Tor
a congressional declaration at Wash
ington.
The House stood and cheered.
He spoke of recent reinforcement
Of Britain's Far Eastern naval power
with some Of the finest ships OF the
Poyal Naw." which he has SAID was
made possible by United States naval
help in the battle Of the Atlantic.
Summing up. he said:
Eve can only feel that Hitler s
madness has infected the japanese
mind. The root OF evil and its branch
must be extirpated together.
1--WE have no need to doubt the
Justice of our cause or that our
strength and will power will be sui
ficient 10 sustain i. We have 1out-
fifths Of the population Of the world
on our side. ~
IN the past our light has f1ickered.
Today it flames.
In the future there will be llght
that shines over all lands and seas.
Parallel Statement to Lords.
Colonial Secretary Lord Moyne
made a parallel statement IN the
House Of Lords.
Mr.. Churchill told Commons that
the war declaration against Japan
was authorized at noon session OF
his cabinet.
Mr.. Churchill said the japanese
began landing in British territory
in Northern Malaga at a m. yes
terday Is pm, Saturday, E. S. u
and were engaged Immediately by
British forces which were ready"
He said home Office measures
against japanese nationals were
begun at lO:45 pm. t4:45 pm, Z.
S. IT, Sunday and told the House 1t
could see. therefore. that no time
has been lost and We are actually
ahead of our engagements.
Immense Patience.
Mr.. Churchill charged that Jap
eneSe envoys were ordered to pro-
long their mission in the United
States in order to keep converse
tions going while a surprise attack
was being prepared and before
declaration of war could be de-
livered.
NO one can doubt that every Ell
fort to bring about a peaceful solu-
ton has been made by the Govern
rent of the United States and that
immense patience has been shown IN
the face of a growing japanese
menace" he told Commons.
The government of the Neither
lands. Mr.. Churchill announced,
marked their solidarity with Great
Britain and the United States at
3 am. g pm, E. S. T, Sunday by
stating that as a consequence OF
Japans action a state Of war now
exists between the kingdom Of The
Netherlands and Japan"
Then he added:
1T only remains now for the two
great democracies to face their
tasks with whatever strength God
may give them.
Mr.. Churchill declared Britain
must hold herself very fortunate
and think We may rate our affairs
not wholly ill-guided, that We were
not attacked alone by Japan in oul
period Of weakness after Dunkerque
or at any time in 1910 before the
United States fully realized the
dangers which threatened the whole
world and made large advances II
military preparations.
The House cheered enthuslastlcal-
" as the Prime Minister informed
1t:
Every preparation in our power
has been made and we shall give
good account of ourselves.
There is the closest accord with
+ba r,ouerfIl American naval anC