Evening star., 1932-01-13
CABINET RIFT DENIED.
Adams Refutes Report Of Break With
Wilbur Over Hawaii.

lDree FeCeral departments were CO.
operating in study of the Hawaiian
imbroglio today as island authorities
prepared for a grand jury investigation
Friday Of Honolulus revenge murder, -
for which four Americans are being
held,
While Attorney General Mitchell and
his assistants pored over data submitted
by the Navy and Interior Departments,
Secretary of the Navy Adams denied re-
ports of a rift between himself and In
terror Secretary Wilbur, whose depart
ment handles Hawaiian affairs.
Rumors Of cabinet dissension sp-
parently arose from the fact that Navy
and Interior views on law enforcement
in Hawaii have not jibed. Secretary
Adams has contended that crime con-
ditions there are bad, whereas Secre-
tary Wilbur, defending the insular ad-
ministration Of Gov. Gen. Judd, said
today Honolulu's record is good one.
Adams Makes Denial.
Adams issued his denial of a split
with Dr. Wilbur in response to ques-
ton from a reporter. Published re-
ports have represented him as differing
radically from DR.. Wtlbur's opinion of
island conditions
Wilbur received today from Hawaii
several messages which he promptly
forwarded to the Department of Justice,
which has been directed by the Senate,
to profile conditions with respect to law
enforcement The Interior Secretary
has instructed Gov Gen. Judd to sub
NIT detailed report on crime, with
particular reference to the case Of Mrs.
Granville Fortescue, Lieut.. Thomas
Massie and two enlisted men of the
Navy, who are charged with murder of
native suspected Of attacking Mrs.
Massie
Secretary Wilbur said records Of his
department heretofore have been free
from mention Of crime in the territory.
From available reports, he said, Homo
lulus slate is cleaner than that of any
city in this country of comparable size.
When the data now before Justice
officials has been thoroughly studied,
1t is expected Attorney General Mitchell
will assign one of his assistants to 60
to Honolulu and conduct f1rst-hand
investigation Of law enforcement ma
chinery in the territory. The inquiry
will be broad, under authority of a
Senate resolution.
Surrender of Lieut.. Massie, his
mother-in-law and the two enlisted
men to civil authorities of Honolulu to
stand trial on the murder charges was
authorized last night by Secretary
Adams.
In permitting the surrender Of the
prisoners, Adams acted upon a request
Of Rear Admiral Yates Stirling for ap-
proval of an understanding he had
reached with Circuit Court Judge
Christy that the quartet would be
turned over to island police upon de-
mand.
Early Surrender Due.
Although nothing definite was known
by the Navy Department as to when
the four would be turned over to Homo
lulu authorities, 1t was anticipated they
| would be surrendered either tomorrow
or Friday, when the case will be brought
before the grand jury.
Adams approval of Admiral Strings
request came shortly after Secretary of
Interior Wilbur had expressed opposi-
tion to change of venue and Attorney
General Mitchell had stated he knew
Of no statute" under which the case
could be brought to the mainland for
trial. Wilbur said he was opposed to
trying the three Navy men by any other
than the established civil procedure.
Adams also approved the general Navy
|
coming naval war games, regardless OF
reported improved conditions in the city.
Reiterating orders that the feet is
not to be given shore liberty on the
Island of Oahu during the war games
to be held next month IN the Hawaiian
Islands, Admiral Pratt today directed
Admiral Frank H. Schofeld, command
er In chief Of the United States Fleet,
to call upon Gov. Judd with all the
dignity due his Office.
Should Gov. Judd desire to visit the
fleet, ship Is to be placed at his dis
posal, "for the dignity and prestige of
the executive Office must be upheld as
the first step toward return to clean,
sane, healthy, normal conditions" Ad-
miral Pratt asserted.
Men Of the feet were warned by the
Navys highest commissioned officer
that they must be upon their good be-
hRvior during the forthcoEapg ytdt tQ
V1a asHaM0ikans sre12ndA xx ~xSTsA> A-s-s-'-s