Evening star., 1941-12-05
Stimson Denounces
Publication Of Story
On u. 5. War Plans
Revelation Of Unfinished
Studies Declared to
Show Lack Of Loyalty

secretary OF war SlimSOn 0e-
nounCed today as wanting in
loyalty and patriotism" the pubica-
ton of a purported secret Army
plan for an American eXpeditionary
force TO Europe
Secretary Stlmson told his press
conference that documents publish
ed by the Chicago Tribune repre-
sented unfinished studies of our
production requirements for ma
tional defense which have been car
ried on by the general staff as part
of their duties in this emergency"
The Tribune asserted yesterday
that the Government had a plan
calling for an A E. F. of 5000 900
men and for total armed forces of
10.O45 $50 men
President Roosevelt had said at
his press conference earlier that he
had no comment on the Tribune
story, but that Secretary Stimson
would have something to say.
Asks Two Questions.
The Secretary said he would begin
his statement by asking two ques-
tions and read from prepared
memorandum as follows:
Il. What would you think of an
American general staff which. in
the present condition of the world,
did not study and investigate every
conceivable type of emergency which
may confront this country and every
Jhlo y,,ofhoI of y,onntiron tHot
possible emergency?
q. What do you think of the
patriotism of a man or a newspape
which would take those confidential
studies and make them public to the
enemies of this country?"
Mr.. Stimson then went on to say:
The publications made yesterday
are of unfinished studies of our pro-
duction requirements for national
defense which have been carried on
by the general staff as a part of
their duties in this emergency. They
have never constituted an author
lied program of the Government.
While their publication will
doubtless be of qualification to our
potential enemies and a possible
source of impairment and embarras-
ment to our national defense, the
chief evil of their publication is the
revelation that there should be
among us any group of persons so
lacking in appreciation of the dan
ger that confronts the country and
so wanting in loyalty and patriotism
to their Government that they
would be willing to take and pub
lish such papers"
Mr.. Stimson declined to 90 into
any further details in connection
with the unfinished studies" of
production requirements.
Asked if he had received a letter
from President Roosevelt directing
the studies, he replied: Il have
said all I care to say for the pres
ent."
The whole matter concerning pub
lication of the story. Mr.. Stimson
said. is under investigation by the
War Department.
Returned Last Night.
Secretary Stimson explained that
he was to have held a press con-
ference yesterday morning. few
hours after the Tribune story was
published but that he decided on
Wednesday to make flying trip
to New York to see his dentist. He
went, he said, and was to return
yesterday but bad weather condi-
tions prevented his plane from land
ing here and he was taken on to
Richmond, the nearest open place"
the plane could find. He was driven
back to Washington from Rich
mond. arriving here at 10 o'clock
last night.
A storm of controversy over the
Tribune report broke during House
When the House took up the sup
Elemental defense supply bill. Rep
resentative Michener, Republican,
Of Michigan protested that action
should be delayed and that Gen.
George c. Marshall, Army Chief of
Staff, should be called for question
ing about the Tribunes story.
Representative Michener quoted
the Tribune as saying the bill con-
tanned a sl,3OO.OOO, 900 blank check
for an A. E. F.
Chairman Cannon of the Appro-
priations Committee told the House
there had not been the slightest
intimation from official sources dur
ing the hearings on the bill that any
plan was in existence or preparation
for using American troops outside
the Western Hemisphere.
Mr.. Cannon said that the Presi.
(See WAR PLANS, Page A-6)