Evening star., 1941-09-05

ITO Iceland.
1t is very fortunate, Mr.. Roosevelt
said, grimly, that the American
ship was not hit. 1t was of the
same type as the so destroyers
traded to Great Britain. some OF
which also have been attacked.
Obviously drawing on fullest avail
able Navy Department reports on
the incident, the President said
there had been more than one at
tack on the Greer, that they had
occurred in daylight and good vis-
ibility and that they were definitely
on the American side of the ocean.
The President did not attempt to
identify the attacking submarine as
to its nationality, although in
discussion of submarine operation
and equipment he did mention Ger
man and italian underwater craft.
He also did not indicate how search
ing naval units could tell If a sub
marine they might locate was the
one which attacked the Greer.
Bushes" Being Searched.
The Chief Executive opened the
discussion of this matter inmedi-
ately on assembling of the press
conference and before any ques-
tions could be asked
His remarks about the number Of
attacks, the time and location, were
his opening statements.
He then went on to say that after
hearing one or two radio broadcasts
and reading some of the morning
newspaper stories about reaction
in Washington he had been re.
minded of an allegorical parallel.
Once upon a time, he explained,
some country children on their way
to school had been fired on from
roadside bushes. Since they were
not hit by any bullets, the father
took the position that there was
nothing to do, not even to search the
bushes. This is not bad illustra-
/ ton, he added, of the position Of
I certain people in Washington.
! Asked then If the bushes are being
/ searched in this case, Mr.. Roose-
velt answered yes, and added for
emphasis that he does not 90 along
with those who prefer to do nothing.
Directed by Teacher.
He then gave the alleeory an add
ed spin by saying that the searching
in this case is being done by the
school teacher. implying clearly that
he considers himself and the Amer
lcan Navy functioning as a school
! teacher.
The President said the Greer was
travelling alone. and was clearly
marked as an American ship by its
Identification number and flag.
Asked if 1t was possible for a sub
marine commander to make a mis-
take in identity in daylight within
torpedo range. Mr. Roosevelt
launched into the following discus
sion:
If submarine is operating with
its periScope above the surface, there
would be no excuse for inaccurate
Identification. In this connection,
he pointed out that most torpedoes
are fired at visual objection, that
is with the periscope above water.
1t is possible, however, he went
on, for submarine to attack by use
Of listening devices. Such devices
pick up propeller sounds and permit
torpedo firing at an area chartered
from such sounds
Mentions Axis Vessels.
1t was at this point that Mr..
Roosevelt remarked that both Ger
man and italian submarines are
equipped with devices for this man.
ner of attack.
Asked directly II the periscope OF
this submarine was up at the time
of the attack, Mr.. Roosevelt replied
/ that he could not say. In a counter
question the President Immediately
asked what might be expected II the
attacker was below surface and
made no effort to identify its VIC
tim, implying that resistance was
the only recourse and that the
blame should be considered no less.
The President was reminded that
in an early stage of this war the
Navy had been under orders Ito tell
papa" If they were attacked. But
at the present time, the reporter
continued. the Navy evidently is
fighting back without waiting to
report.
Mr.. Roosevelt agreed smilingly
and when asked further if the Greer
was acting under explicit orders, he
countered again by saying, What
would you do?"
Declining to give any more specific
information on location of the Greer
when it was attacked. the Chief
Executive was asked II the destroyer
(See SUBMARINE, Page A-3D