Detroit evening times., 1945-09-13

the time of the tragedy which could have been avoided
at Pearl Harbor
1t is both unfair and factually incorrect for person
well informed the President to say that the coun-
try whole, than individuals, to blame for
the Pearl Harbor disaster"
That is like saying that YOU and your friends
responsible for the disastrous Jap sneak attack of Dec Z
1941. If that could be true why did have leaders in
Washington directing the activities of the state depart
men the army, the navy and the many other branches
of government? Were not the American people relying
the judgment and the leadership of the highly placed
men IN Washington who negotiating with the Japa
government and supposedly also were placing
entire resources ION the alert in the event of sudden
enemy action?
The American people were NOT to blame for the
tragic bunders that permitted such nfamy the world
witnessed at Pearl Harbor that day
This newspaper-and probably every newspaper in the
United Stateshad printed many stories day after day,
in the weeks and months preceding Dec Z telling of the
potent and deadly that lay lurking almost at any
moment in the Pacific
For weeks Informed spokesmen' in Washington,
d. c., told newsmen that the United States fully
prepared" for any eventuaty in the Pacific. Sources
close to the White House even permitted newspapers
to quote them to the effect that forces Manila Pearl
Harbor and other places had been "alered'
WE SPENT most of last night reading through the
w daily newspapers for the period Immediately pre-
cedng Dec Z 1941 1t startling TO learn that many
many dispatches the front page practically pre-
dicted shooting at any moment Here are few
quotations.
Nov. IA, 1911 up" Berlin, Rome and Tokyo
today described the L. s. entry into the 'ne,i-
table and Americas decision to carry supplies,
protected by L. S. naval guns, into said
by London to mean they're coming over. -. "Saburo
Kurusu arrived from Japan to attempt 'last-mnue'
adjustment of japanese American relations"
Nov. 15 (UP)-" special session of the Japa-
nese parliament in Tokyo described by the Japanese
press the most important in japanese history be-
cause of the necessity of taking action to meet the
crisis arising from the conflict in relations with
America
Nov. 1S UP)-"The Japanese army and navy
assured parliament that the armed forces were fully
Nov % up" The Japanese military, de,irou,
of blocking any possibility of rapprochement with the
United States, might be deliberately embarrassing the
Japanese statesmen
Nov. 25 UP)-"A reliable foreigner just arrived
from Tokyo lin ShanghaD emphasized Japan
MUST FIGHT if no agreement IL reached with the anti
Axis nations to the economic blockade of the island
empire -.
ngton, d. c. today expressed fear that Japans
to American demands she Withdraw from the Axis and
get out of China may be japanese attack Thailand
WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS the japanese
Nov p (UPj-"WeII informed opinion Tin Wash
ngton, d. c. indicated that the strong American posi-
tiOn taken by Ccrdell Hull last night would he
tantamount in the Japanese mind to a breakdown in
the discussions Tokyo said There is little
for prOlOnging conversations. "
Nov % (UP)-"The japanese newspaper ASahi said
today that japanese nationals in New York were pre-
pairing to eNacuate and would sail on the liner
Tatuta Maru from Los Angeles leaving only one or
two responsible persons to look after the interests OF
the banking and business houses Domei japanese
agency, said: Japan cannot continue negotiations
If the United States
Dec. (tP)-"The Japanese premier, Gen Iidch
Toio said today that L. - and British interests in the
Far East should he purged President Roosevelt
reporedy because Of this statement, dashed To Wash
ingon from Warm Springs in order to deal first hand
with the momenous problems arising in the Far
East
Dec UP)-".. Allied power took unprecedented
military and naval precautions in the Far East today
in apparent fear of imminent japanese thrust to the
south Tokyo newspapers asserted that
Japan MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR EVEN
TUALITIES the United States Navy and Army
stats at Manila reported to have decided
emergency steps following secret. joint meeting
japanese warships within striking distance of
Borneo and important developments might he
expected WITHIN A WEEK
Dec UP)-"Chairman Tom ConnaIly of the Sen
ate foreign relations committee said today: IF Japan
wants war and must have fight she will find out
that we have navy in the Pacific that can shoot
straight