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scrappy information, just an episode here and there. We got a picture of total confusion.

Still nobody knew exactly what had happened. Nobody knew where the planes had come from. This young naval aide had said that they were from a carrier, but he was only assuming. They hadn't had information that they were planes based on a carrier. He knew they must have been, as there was no other place to fly from.

Talk went on. It was not constructive Cabinet planning under any circumstance, because there was nothing the Cabinet could do, except that the President wanted us together because he was preparing a message to Congress. He said at the beginning, “We have been working for several hours on a message to Congress, as well as a statement to the press, which we must give. I don't want to make the statement to the press until the message to Congress is prepared and on its way.”

As a matter of fact, some of the Senate and House leaders were in the room that night. Sam Rayburn, I think, was there. I remember the President saying, “It's extremely important that the Republicans be told about this right away.

Early said, “That's been attended to. The Republican leaders have been informed.” They had been given direct messages from the President.

The Congressional message was being prepared to be delivered in the morning. The President said, “That's Why I want you all here. We can't tell you too much news, but