US Declares War On Axis Germany and Italy Open Hostilities LAWRENCE, KANSAS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1941. 39TH YEAR NUMBER 59 At noon today, Congress declared war on Germany and Italy, retaliating against a similar measure taken against the United States this morning by those Axis powers. Vote Unanimous Italy's declaration was given by Benito Mussolini in a M. I. Building Assured BY UNITED PRESS Topeka—(Special to the Kansan)—Contracts for the construction of the Mineral Industries building were announced today by Roy Stookey, state architect. He said cost of construction will be $318,000, well within the $325,000 appropriated for the building. Stookey said the wings originally planned to house the department of chemical engineering and the engineering library had been eliminated because of lack of funds and that the department will be housed in the main building. Construction will begin immediately. The Mott-Green construction company of Manhattan was awarded the general contract. The Woodhall plumbing company of McPherson was awarded the plumbing contract, and the electrical contract was awarded to the Overton electric company of Topeka. The Mineral Industries building will be named Lindley hall. Army Says Jap Ship Destroyed Manila, —(UP)— An army communique announced today that a United States bombing plane had set fire to a 29,000-ton Japanese battleship and asserted that the situation was completely in hand in the fight against a Japanese attempt to invade the Philippines. (continued to page eight) The battleship, first major Japanese casualty, burst into flames The Senate unanimously passed the bill today authorizing the sending of the national guard and draft troops to any battle station in the world and the extension of draftee services for the duration of the war. Washington, —(UP)— The text of War Department communique No. 2, issued as of 5 p.m., Dec. 10 follows: after three direct bomb hits off the northern coast of Luzon island and was left blazing fiercely. It was believed destroyed. Besides the direct hits, the American bombing plane dropped two bombs close to its sides. 1. Philippine theater — reports from the far eastern command indicate a definite attempt of the The ship was said to be of the 29.000-ton Hiranum class. C. A. A. Flies Again A portion of the Civil Aeronautics Authority student pilots resumed training yesterday at the municipal airport, after being grounded since Sunday by government order. Suspension of training activities was made in order to check the nationality and allegiance of students, Prof. Earl D. Hay, supervisor of the University CAA program, explained today. Other students will take to the air after the investigation is completed. The "routine" check also was made at other schools under the CAA. Professor Hay has been called to Kansas City this Saturday to attend a meeting of the Fifth Regional coordinators. He expects to ascertain there the status of the University CAA during the war. There are at present 30 primary and 20 secondary student pilots enrolled. Calendars Prove Popular The supply of K.U. calendars for 1942 was almost depleted yesterday and student demand has been so great that an additional 800 calendars have been ordered. The calendars, printed in the crimson and blue colors of the University, sell for 15 cents to students and 25 cents to non-students. Students can order the calendars at the alumni office, stenographic bureau of the journalism building, and the book exchange in Memorial Union building. The next group of calendars will go on sale Wednesday afternoon. The remaining calendars are being offered for sale today. Student Worries ★★★ Brother at War Lieutenant Traw, who has been at Fort Mills on the island of Corregidor since Sept. 1, is engaged in training Filipino prisoners in military tactics. The island of Corregidor is the Alcatraz of the Philippines. No Holiday Change Asked "Of course, we're terribly worried about him," Lola Traw, college sophomore, said today. She was speaking of her brother, Lieutenant James Traw, '38, who is stationed in the Philippine Islands. In a recent letter to his sister, Lieutenant Traw remarked that he was not alone in the Islands. He named the following men who are in the Philippines: Don Fullmer, '37; Roy Lawrence, '39; George Moore, '35; Bob Humphrey, 43; and Herman Hauck, '37. "We have received no request from the government for any change in the Christmas holiday dates." Raymond Nichols, executive secretary to the Chancellor, declared today. "We can confirm no rumor." Gifts for Needy ★★★ Pitch Pennies The Santa-Claus-minded Alpha Phi Omega's will sponsor a penny-pitching project in Frank Strong hall again this year. A bucket will be suspended below the balcony in center ad, into which both crack shots and novices may pitch their spare pennies. A large net will be hung under the bucket just in case. The national men's honorary service fraternity has set the penny pitching goal at $80, which will be used to provide Christmas cheer for needy families of Lawrence. In cooperation with the department of building and grounds Alpha Phi Omega put up and decorated the large Christmas tree in center ad Wednesday. A canvas of the fraternity and sorority houses for toy contributions from their Christmas parties has also been planned. Contribute $564 to Red Cross A total of $564 has been contributed to the Red Cross by faculty, students, and University employees. E.C. Buehler, chairman of the campaign, reported today. 'Thunder Rock' Ends Tonight The Kansas Players will present the final performance of "Thunder Rock," in Fraser theater at 8:20 o'clock tonight. At least one University man has withdrawn from school to join United States fighting forces, and there is general indication that many more students will enlist in the next few weeks or at the end of the semester. There are still good seats available. Activity tickets may be exchanged at the door at 7:30 p.m. Expect Xmas Rush for Army George Curtis Hughes, freshman engineer from Anderson, Ind., who withdrew from classes Monday, had previously volunteered for the Royal Canadian air force, and has been ordered to report for duty Dec. 26. Hughes indicated today, however, that he would try to forego his Canadian enlistment so that he might enlist in the U.S. Army air corps." Some students have intimated that they will use the Christmas vacation to complete arrangements for enlistment, while many of draft age plan to finish the semester and then listen. delivered to a cheering crowd from the balcony of his Venice palace this morning. "Fascist Italy and National Socialist Germany have allied themselves with Japan in a war against the United States. We will bring you victory," said the Italian dictator. Germany's declaration came when Hitler addressed the Reichstag this morning. The declaration Berlin—(UP)—In his speech today Hitler said that Germany, Italy, and Japan have bound themselves in a formal alliance of four articles. They agree: 1. To carry on to final victory the war against Britain and the United States with "every conceivable means." 2. Not to conclude a separate peace or armistice. 3. To continue the closest collaboration and to establish a new and lasting order along the lines of the tripartite agreement. 4. To effectivate the pact immediately. was delivered to the United States state department at 9:25 a.m. and congressional leaders prepared immediately to acknowledge hostilities not only with Germany but with Italy. President Roosevelt addressed Congress shortly afterward. Stating that the Axis move was expected, he asked Congress to declare a state of war to exist between the United States and Germany and Italy. The House, at 12:26 voted unanimously 333-0, in favor of war, and The lineup for World War II: THE ALLIES United States Haiti Great Britain Dominican Canada Republic Russia Guatemala Australia South Africa New Zealand Cuba China Free France Costa Rica Greece Panama Netherlands East Nicaragua Indies El Salvador Belgium Honduras Poland THE AXIS Germany Italy Japan Manchukuo the Senate followed with a unanimous vote, 90-0, 14 minutes later. Representative Margaret Rankin of Montana, who cast the only dissenting vote against war with Japan, voted "present." Thirty-eight house representatives and eight senators did not vote.