CBS
News Update
December
7, 1941, 4:00 pm EST
Based
on the information in the bulletin, this likely
aired during the 4:00 half hour block.
Text:
"Supplementing the national reports, there
is a report here from Billings, Montana. Senator
B. K. Wheeler, leading isolationist said when informed
Japan had attacked U.S. bases in Honolulu and Manila,
"That means war, and we'll have to see it through."
Asked if President Roosevelt had asked Congress
to declare war Wheeler said he had received no notification,
but I assume he will. In Los Angeles California,
all aircraft observation posts were ordered manned
by observers immediately in an order issued by Brigadier
General William O'Ryan, commanding general of the
4th interceptor command, which has jurisdiction
over the southwestern portion of The United States.
Now the Far Eastern as reported by radio and the
dispatches from across the Pacific, and from Canada.
The first bulletin from Canada says that Prime Minister
W. L. McKenzie King called the Canadian cabinet
to meet at 6:00 p.m. standard time today to consider
the Far Eastern situation. Japanese bombing planes,
striking without warning have as you know have attacked
the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor Honolulu,
and the American bases at Manila in the Philippines.
Japanese parachute troops are reported in Honolulu.
They have been sighted off Harbor Point. At least
five persons have been reported killed in the city
of Honolulu. The Japanese dive bombers have been
making continuous attacks, apparently from a Japanese
aircraft carrier. A naval engagement is reported
in progress off Honolulu. And there's one report
that a Japanese warship is bombarding Pearl Harbor.
Aerial dogfights are raging in the skies over Honolulu
itself. Damage to the Pearl Harbor Base and in Manila
has not yet been verified but the White House, and
as Mr. Warner told you, Admiral Block, fear a heavy
loss of life in Hawaii. We will continue to interrupt
all regularly scheduled programs to bring you latest
developments from Washington, and from our correspondents
in the field. William Shirer will be heard in an
analysis of the news at 5:45. We may, of course,
interrupt The Prudential Program with the
latest bulletins from time to time."