Evening star., 1940-06-22

acted with substantial unanimity on
every national defense proposal.
THE administration of the Navy
Department is in no sense political
The Navy knows no party. At q
time of tremendous naval expension
it is vital that its management shall
be wholly non-political. The Presi-
dent has asked me to serve as Secre-
tary of the Navy on that basis and
on that basis have accepted.
1--WE are in danger now because we
are inadequately prepared. The
President has said I can help him.
If I can help him get us ready for
any emergency must do so What
happens to me is unimportant. If
should be cast in the discard a few
months later, the only questions
must answer to myself are these
Did I do my duty? Did I do 1t
well?'"
G.. o. p. Leaders Criticized.
Two well-known Republicans, Will
liam Allen White, Kansas publisher,
and William ]. Donovan, Attorney
General in the Hoover administra-
ton, criticized their party leaders
for politically disowning Mr.. Stim-
son and Col. Knox after they had
been named to the Cabinet.
Mr.. White called the Presidents s
action "the patriotic thing" while
Mr.. Donovan declared. I'VE should
-" approve the designation and
commend the acceptance of these
two distinguished men,"
If the Republican National Con-
vention adopted a peace at any
price" plank, Mr.. White said, the
party would not even carry Maine
and Vermont in the November elec-
ton.
MIR. White, who Is chairman Of the
Committee to Defend America by
Aiding the Allies, defined peace at
any price" as a refusal to implement
the Monroe Doctrine, an opportunity
which, he said, might come within
six weeks if England succumbs to
Nazi attack. He expressed amaze
ment that certain elements of the
party want to monkey doodle
around after the Fascist vote" by a
peace at any price" maneuver.
Donovan Disapproves.
Mr.. Donovan, who was commander
of the Fighting 69th" Regiment in
the World War and Republican can
dldate for the New York governor
ship in 1882, expressed his disap-
proval of party reaction to the Knox
and Stlmson appointments, in a tele-
gram to John D. M. Hamilton, Re-
publican national chairman.
1--WE should approve the
designations and commend the &C.
ceptance of these two distinguished
men. We .. should
recognize our duty to sup
port without imputation of motive
the Commander in Chief =
who faces the duty of preparing our
Nation for defense" his telegram
said.
Ross L. Shotwell, Omaha attorney,
announced the start of a campaign
to have Col. Knox chosen as the
Republican presidential candidate
at Philadelphia next week. 1t would
be "one of the greatest political
coups ever put on at a party con-
vention," he said.
Want Woodring Quizzed.
During the Senate debate YES
terday. Senator Vandenberg, Re-
publican, of Michigan asserted that
Mr.. Stimson had recently advocated
the use of American fleet units to
convoy supplies to the Allies-a
step Senator Vandenberg termed
an "act of war" He requested that
Mr.. Stimson be questioned on the
point.
Senator Vandenberg also said the
Stimson. hearing should examine
reports that Mr.. Woodring's re-
moval had been sought by "clique
OF international f1nanciers" because
OF the Secretary's opposition to
stripping our defenses to aid the
Allies" ~-,- -
Senator Clark, Democrat. of
Missouri said he believed Mr.. Wood
ring had been SACRIFICED for that
reason. He added he intended to
offer a resolution calling on Mr..
Roosevelt to make public Mr.. Wood
rings letter of resignation-a letter
which the White House termed
too personal" for release.