Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-20
Headlines
Show We're
In High Gear
-ook at The Hawaii Shift
or Congress Speed
BY HUGH S. JOHNSON

EOR the last several days
have been heckling our war
mobilization for too much COM
placency. for repeating mistakes
made in the last World War and
for a general "business-as-usual"
frame of mind which seemed 10
me TO have pervaded our efforts
10 date. Recent headlines en-
courage me to the belief that we
are really swinging into high
gear.
One leading story was about
the shakeup in Hawaii in which
the three commanders of the
army, navy and air force there
were relieved of command. Fol-
lowing so promptly, as 1t does.
Mr., Knox inspection and report,
il indicates a clear joint direc-
tive authority of our armed
forces which is highly encourage
ing.
a short time ago ] pointed out
that. whoever else might be re-
sponSible for that mess, there
was certainly no theory on
which those three commanders
could he held 10 be not reSpOn-
sible for the obvious fragrant
violation Of the first basic rule
Of warfare-that all units at all
times must maintain local Sc
curity.
i also commented that Napo-
Icons famous saying, Every
French soldier carries in his
knapsack the baton of marshal
OF France" might well have in
Guided the obvious diverse that
every marshal carried IN his
sabretache the bullets OF his fir-
ing squad.
THE selection Of officers 10 re-
Il place these commanders IN
diCateS a full realization by the
central authority Of the technl-
cal and scientific advances OF
modern war.
In assigning these replace
mentS the army selected two
outstanding air generals. The
naval commander is sub
marine expert.
In their early fifties, these
three officers already had risen
10 positions Of high response
bility before these assignments
were made They are all highly
representative Of the new type
OF vigorous, scientific profess
SIGNALS upon which we must
rely for successful prosecution OF
the war.
DIGIT alongside of the story
IL of the Hawaii shake-up was
the one about the defeat in the
House of Representatives Of the
administration proposal for a
19-year-old base instead Of A
2l-year-old base for liability for
military service in the new draft
! legislation. | am not comment
ing upon the substance Of this
proposal (which by the way.
was defeated because I believe
az any time the armed forces
feel they must dip into the 10
and 20-year-oldS. the Congress
will then give them the power.
There are. however. three
things in connection with the
House action which are highly
encouraging.
In the first place the prompt
ness with which the Congress Is
acting in these matters is proof
/ positive that Hitler is all wet
in his belief that A democracy
cannot mobilize itself quickly
enough for prompt and effec-
tive action.
The second point is that in
turning down this admlnistra-
ton proposal, Congress acted as
the watchdog and guardian Of
what il considers 10 be the best
interests OF the people.
The third and most inspiring
point is that the fight on the
floor for the administration pro-
posal was led by Representative
Andrews tR) Of New York. the
ranking minority member of the
House military affairs COM
mittee.
THIS is the stuff. II is n clear
Il indication that from now on
We can expect nonpartiSan sup
port Of administration emer-
genCy measures and also non
partisan opposition 10 them
whenever the Congress truly
feels that the proposed invasion
of rights is not justified by the
alleged necessities.
This is a very vital function
of the Congress at a time like
this and il is a clear proof 10 all
the world that what we are
fighting for is we'll worth saving.
Distributed ny King Features synd Inc
Reproduction In whole or in part