英文优美散文欣赏

Nicole

                               For a Declaration of War against Japan

　　

　　                                                            Franklin Roosevelt

　　

　　Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representative，

　　

　　Yesterday, December 7, 1941 --- a date which will live in infamy --- United States of America, was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

　　

　　The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

　　

　　Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the Unites States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

　　

　　It will be recorded that distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

　　

　　The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

　　

　　Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

　　

　　Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

　　

　　Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

　　

　　Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

　　

　　Last night, Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

　　

　　And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

　　

　　Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today 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.

　　

　　As Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always, let our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

　　

　　No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

　　

　　I believe that I interpret the will of Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us.

　　

　　Hostilities exist, there is no blinking the fact that our people, our territory, and our interest are in grave danger.

　　

　　With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

　　

　　I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

　　

　　　　1941年12月7日，珍珠港受到日本偷袭，罗斯福于1941年12月8日在国会发表本篇演说，美国国会当天通过了向日本宣战的决定。

　　　　

　　                                    要求对日本宣战

　　                                             ——富兰克林.罗斯福

　　

　　副总统先生，议长先生，各位参议员和众议员们：

　　

　　昨天，1941年12月7日，将永远是一个耻辱的日子——美利坚合众国遭到了日本帝国海空军部队蓄意的突然袭击。

　　

　　美国过去与这个国家处于和平状态，并且在日本的请求下，仍然同该国政府和天皇进行对话，以期维持太平洋地区的和平。

　　

　　事实上，就在日本空军中队开始轰炸美国的瓦湖岛一小时后，日本驻美国大使和他的同事还向我国国务卿提交了对最近一份我国致日本书的正式复函。虽然该复函声称看起来继续目前的外交谈判已毫无必要，却未包含任何有关战争或武装袭击的威胁或暗示。

　　

　　应该记录在案的是，日本与夏威夷之间的距离足以表明这场战争在很多天甚至几个星期前就开始蓄意谋划了。而在此期间，日本政府故意用希望继续维持和平这样虚假的申明和表态来欺骗美国。

　　

　　昨天日本对夏威夷群岛的袭击使美国海军和陆军军力遭受了严重的损失，我很遗憾地告诉诸位，战争夺去了很多美国人的生命。另外，据报告，在旧金山和檀香山之间的公海上的美国船只也遭到了鱼雷袭击。

　　

　　昨天，日本对马来半岛发动了袭击。

　　昨晚，日本军队袭击了香港。

　　昨晚，日本军队袭击了关岛。

　　昨晚，日本军队袭击了菲律宾群岛。

　　昨晚，日本军队袭击了威克岛。

　　今天早晨，日本袭击了中途岛。

　　

　　由此可见日本在太平洋区域已经开始了令人震惊的全面侵略扩张。昨天和今天的事实都已经证明了这点。美国人民对此已经有了自己的看法，并且很清楚这对我们民族的安全和存亡意味着什么。

　　

　　作为海军和陆军总司令，我已经下令采取一切手段来进行防卫。同时，请我们整个民族都牢记这场针对我们的侵犯。

　　

　　无论我们要花多长时间才能击溃这次有预谋的入侵，美国人民都终将凭借正义的力量获得绝对的胜利。

　　

　　我坚信，我们不仅会最大程度地保卫我们自己，我们也会确保以后像此类背信弃义的行为永远不会再对我们构成威胁。我相信我说的这些话可以代表国会和人民的意愿。

　　

　　战争已经发生，我们不能无视这个事实：我们的人民，我们领土，我们的利益都处于极度危险的境地。

　　

　　我们信赖我们的军队，我们有无比坚决的信念，胜利必定属于我们。愿上帝赐福于我们。

　　

　　鉴于日本在1941年12月7日对我国进行的无端的和卑鄙的袭击，我要求国会宣布美国和日本已处于交战状态。