The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-25

an opinion from Attorney General
Robert H. jackson that II would be
illegal. Jackson's opinion cited q
2S-year old statute forbidding dis
posal Of American warships outside
Of this country's jurisdiction.
The administtntion's about-face
came as senate isolationists prepared
10 fire a critical barrage ct Henry
l.. Stimson and Frank Knox Mr..
Roosevelt's Republican nominees for
the war and navy portfolios In his
cabinet. Both men have been ac-
cused Of favoring intervention In
the European war. They will be
questioned by the Senate Military
and Naval Affairs committees early
next week.
Isolationists hold little hope OF
preventing o favorable report by
the military affairs committee on
Stimsons nomination. They hope,
however, TO obtain an adverse re.
port on Knox's nomination.
Regarded Az Sharp Move
Several isolationists characterized
the withdrawal OF the torpedo boat
transfer as an attempt to take the
heat off Stimson and Knox"
Assistant Secretary OF the Navy
Lewis Compton, whose revelation
OF the proposed transfer elected
angry criticism at O senate naval
affairs meeting two weeks ago, said
the Presidents order would be car
ried out with all possible speed. But
he defended the navys plan TO dis
pose OF the boats as way for the
navy TO acquire better vessels Of q
similar type without impalring Its
fighting efficiency.
He claimed that transfer OF the
midget warships would have en-
abled the navy to receive later
boats carrying 2i-inch instead Of
the l8-inch torpedoes on the YES
sells which would have been sent TO
Britain. Only one OF them has been
delivered.
Compton said the proposal TO &C.
cept deferred deliveries on naval
vessels and recorder on the basis OF
lessons learned In the European
war would have specded up pro-
duction OF hulls and engines, per-
hitting improvements In design
and provided O safeguard against
forcing the navy 10 retool for re-
serve supplies OF Obsolete" l8-inch
torpedoes
sistent advocate OF short OF war
MD TO the Allies, criticized the deci-
sion to forbid the transfers, because
the "Allies are holding the DEM
ocratic 'front.'
Navy without Head
washington, June 26-(UP)-The
navy was without cabinet chief
today while reports persisted.-but
without confirmation--that the
main body Of the fleet was en-
route 10 the Panama Canal from
Hawaii.
The reported fleet movement
conceded with the resignation OF
Secretary OF the Navy Charles
Edison, who left office yesterday
to campaign for election as Gov
ernor OF New Jersey.
Although O naval press spokes.
man denied that the main body o.
the fleet had left Hawaii, Admiral
Harold n. Stark, chief OF nava
operations, said he would not deny
or confirm the reports,
He said that after O conference
with Mr.. Roosevelt, attended BY
undersecretary OF state Sumner
Welles and Gen. George Q. Mar
shall, Army Chief Of Staff. STARK
said II was up To Welles TO make
az, announcement, II one were TO bt
made, but Welles suggested that 70.
porters ask President Roosevelt o.
his press conference today.
Mr.. Roosevelt, In Hyde PARK las'
Weekend, was understood TO nave
studied every possibility wkicf
inight result from the loss OF tho
French and British fleets
May Come 10 Atlantic
- haa iaa0 hmm riiia0pld hero