Evening star., 1939-02-18


Johnson's testimony, was not
brought out.
The disclosure in which adminis-
tration critics displayed most inter-
est was that regarding Mr.. Roose-
velt's part.
Senator Johnson. Republican, of
California, member of the Foreign
Relations Committee and cham
pion of American iSolationism, as
serted "the committees findings il
lustrate what we've been fighting
for"
1--WE had better mind our own
business or We will find ourselves in
trouble" he added.
Both the House and Senate were
In weekend recess today.
The House Naval Committee gave
formal approval yesterday to a
measure authorizing expenditure Of
$50 100000 to build new naval air
bases and expand present ones. In
cluded was the controversial pro-
posal to spend $4,000, 900 improving
facilities at the Pacific Island of
Guam. Japanese officials have de-
clared this undertaking, less than
$500 miles from Toxic, would be
provocative.
The chief topic of converse ton
among the legislators continued to
be the Senate committee inquiry
into the French plane transaction,
and speculation over what further
light would be shed on it by the
testimony being made public today.
The record of Assistant Secretary
Johnsons testimony showed he told
the committee he was familiar with
the negotiations from the time
when 1t was determined that the
French might see this ship" Zone of
the Douglas bombers).
Authorized by President.
Senator Clark, Democrat. of Mis-
souri, inquired: Where was that
determination, Mr.. Secretary?"
DO you mind putting that of the
record first until we discuss whether
it should or should not go of the
record?' asked Mr.. johnson, refer
ring to committee rule that he
could answer "off the record" when
military secrets required.
Il am perfectly willing to have 1t
discussed" Senator Clark said. but
I think this is the gist of the whole
matter"
Mr.. Johnson: 'The authorization
to me and to Secretary Wood
ring -"
Chairman Sheppard: "1s this of
the record or on the record?"
Senator Clark: II think the Sec
retary is to decide later whether it
is to go on record or off the
record"
Mr.. johnson: THE authorization
to Secretary Woodring and myself
was by the President of the United
States in a conference at the White
House. Pursuant to the conference,
there was discussion there -
Senator Clark interrupted to ask
when the conference was. Mr.. John
son was uncertain of the date.
The Military Committee trans
cript, included testimony by Gen
Arnold. Admiral Leahy, Assistant
Secretary johnson and Capt. Sydney
M. Kraus Of the Navy. !
specifications as to objectives;
not as to how, in any sense" Mr..
johnson replied. And therefore as
a lawyer, I think you and I would
have to agree that these regulations,
Government funds not being in
volved, did not cover that particular
ship"
Gen. Arnold and Admiral William
D. Leahy, chief of Naval operations
had told the committee previously
that the regulations were prepared
by the Aeronautical Board and put
into effect by both branches Of the
service in August, 1888. They
covered all ships being built on Fed
eral order or with Federal funds for
military use, it was testified.
Word Dropped From Order.
The testimony disclosed that mil
itary secrets were concealed from
the French mission which came to
this country to negotiate for the
planes. Some confusion developed
III the committee over this question
when it was brought out that a word
had been dropped in transmitting a
code order from Gen. Arnold to
War Department officials In Calitor-
mia.
The order directed that q newly
developed light bomber, built BY the
Douglas Co., be demonstrated to
the mission. 1t specified, however,
that the French be allowed to see
the plane "less secret accessories u
the word "less" was losS in trans
mission. AS sent to Maj. K. B.
Wolfe at March Field, Gen Arnold s
message read:
Authority granted for them to in
spect Douglas attack bomber less
secret accessories, fly in same and
open negotiations with Douglas
company relative to purchase. All
negotiations must be made with you
as Army representative and Douglas
company. Above information to be
held confidential. Make arrange
ments for plane demonstration Sun
day. Expedite"
The word less" disappeared in
DECIDING the message and relaying
it by telephone.
The testimony showed the
bomber contained no secret acces-
sories, since it was still at the
Douglas factory and had not been
received by the Army. Capt. Kraus.
who had been detailed to the Treas
ry's Procurement Department and
who accompanied the French mis-
sion to California, was on the stand
when Gen. Arnold's order was under
discussion. Capt. Kraus saw the
message which Maj. Rolfe received.
4 ~