Section 2. Japan's Challenge and America's Acceptance
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull Speak for the American People
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Pertinent to the burden of this message are the statements of President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull made immediately after Japan had accomplished her dastardly work of havoc at Pearl Harbor. Concerning this tragedy the President of the United States, on December 8, said:
"Japan has undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions, and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this pre-meditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
"I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again."
Then again on December 10, the President warned the nation that' it may expect a long, hard war against “crafty and powerful bandits.” “We are now in this war,” he declared.
“We are all in it-all the way in. Every single man, woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history.
"Powerful and resourceful gangsters have banded together to make war upon the whole human race. Their challenge has now been flung at the United States of America. Many American soldiers and sailors have been killed by enemy action. American ships have been sunk. American airplanes have been destroyed. The Congress and the people of the United States have accepted that challenge."
And in all earnestness, hope and determination the President declared: "We are going to win the war, and we are going to win the peace that follows."
Secretary of State Cordell Hull, in releasing the correspondence between the United States and Japan that had been carried on over a period of nine months prior to the attack, said:
"Japan has made a treacherous and utterly unprovoked attack on the United States. At the very moment when representatives of the Japanese government were discussing with representatives of this Government, at the request of the former, principles and courses of peace, the armed forces of Japan were preparing and assembling at various strategic points to launch new attacks and new aggressions upon nations and peoples with which Japan was professedly at peace, including the United States....
"It is now apparent to the whole world that Japan in its recent professions of a desire for peace has been infamously false and fraudulent."
Out of Japan's treacherous attack upon the United States sprang a tremendous three-fold task for all Americans, every man of whom will REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR as he fits his back to the grinding load of responsibility and heavy sacrifice which he is now forced to carry for the full duration of the war.
Indeed, every American is firmly resolved that the form of treachery practiced upon us by Japan "shall never endanger us again" from any nation and that "we are going to win the war and we are going to win the peace that follows."
