Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-18
Senators Commend
Army, Navy Custer Of
KimmeI and Short
Gen. Emmons Takes
New Post in Huwuii;
Nimitz on Way West

NlmltZ on Woy west
The shake-up in the Hawaii high
command, which pu' new Army,
Navy and Air Force officers in
charge of the battered Pacific out
post, won congressional praise to-
day as President Roosevelt assem-
bled his war cabinet to review the
military developments of the past
10 days.
Senator Tobey, Republican, of
New Hampshire commended the
administration for its action in re-
moving officers who were in COM
mand at the time of the Jap raid.
The Senator said he would drop his
demands for a congressional in
vestigation, at least until the spe-
cial board appointed by the Presi-
dent had completed its inquiry.
Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee said the
removal of the ranking officers was
the usual course followed during
an investigation and commended
Mr.. Roosevelt for his appointment
of Rear Admiral Chester w. Nj
mitz to take command of the fleet.
The White House cabinet session
was called for this afternoon, and
Secretary of War Stimson and Sec
rotary of Navy Knox were instruct
ed to bring high ranking officers of
both departments.
The Navy and War Departments
acted simultaneously last night in
removing the officers whose re-
sponsibility for the lack of alert
preparedness will be subject to ex-
animation by the Presidents in
vestigation.
Admiral Nimitz, succeeds Admiral
Husband E. Kimmel as commander
in chief of the Pacific Fleet. Rear
Admiral Randall Jacobs becomes the
new chief of the Bureau of Naviga-
ton. His nomination for a four
year term was sent to the Senate
today.
Admiral Nimitz, a forecful Texan,
was ordered to sea from his post as
chief of the Bureau of Navigation,
where he was rated in service circles
as second only to Admiral Harold R.
Stark, chief of naval operations.
Emmons Assumes Command.
Admiral Kimmel was the only
Navy man affected. The Army re-
lieved It. Gen. Walter G.. Short of
command of the Hawaiian Depart
ment, and Maj Gen. Frederick L.
Martin of command of the air
forces in Hawaii.
1t. Gen. Delos C. Emmons of the
air combat force already has reached
Honolulu and replaced Gen. Short.
Brig. Gen. c. L. Tinker of the Air
Corps is en- route to take over the
air command.
A War Department announce
ment told of the arrival Of Gen.
Emmons and explained the change
In command as follows:
This action avoids situation
where the officials charged with
responsibility for the future security
of this vital naval base would other
wise at this critical hour also be in
volved in the searching investiga-
ton ordered yesterday by the Presi-
dent
New orders for officers relieved
yesterday are not expected until
after the Presidents special board
has completed its inquiry.
The appointment of Gen. Emmons
marks the second time the Army
has given the top command of
vitality important military depart
ment to an air force man. The
first instance was when 1t Gen.
Frank M. Andrews was put in charge
of the Caribbean area defenses.
Secretary Stimson said the task
of the new Hawaiian commanders
was Ito expedite the reorganization
Of the air defenses in the islands"
and he concurred in the preliminary
report of Secretary Knox that 1.-The
United States services were not on
the alert" when Japan struck at
Pearl Harbor
Pye Temporary Chief.
Neither the War nor the Navy De-
partment undertook to pass judg-
ment on the superseded officers. Sec
rotary Stimson explained that the
Army's action was taken to avoid
"a situation where the officials
charged with responsibility for the
future security Of this vital naval
base would otherwise at this critical
hour also be involved in the search
ing investigation" ordered Tuesday
by President Roosevelt.
Removal of Admiral Kimmel as
commander in chief of the Pacific
Fleet automatically relieves him,
Navy officials explained, from duty
as commander of the United States
Fleet.
Pending arrival of Admiral Nj
mitz at Pearl Harbor, the Navy an
nouncement said, Vice Admiral Will
liam S. Pye. second in command OF
the Pacific Fleet, will serve for Ad-
miral Kimmel.
Rear Admiral Nimitz, who will
become a full admiral upon takin;
command of the Pacific Fleet, vii
administer the duties of commando
of the United States Fleet as well
officials said, until another com
mander is designated.
Thus Admiral Thomas c. Hart
chief of the Asiatic Fleet, and Ad
miral Ernest j. King, chief of tn
Atlantic Fleet, will be subordinat
to Admiral Nimitz as they were
Admiral Kimmel.
Commands Three Fleets.
The fleet commander prescribe
standards and methods of trainin
not only for all three fleets bu
also for all other seagoing force
of the Navy. When two or NOR
fleets are concentrated or whe
they operate in conjunction wit
each other, the commander of tn
United States Fleet is responsible
for joint operations. ,-..
Admiral Nimitz saw active duty
the Atlantic during the World Wa
as chief of staff and commander
the Atlantic Fleet submarine fore
That was followed by brief perio
of service in the Office of Nav'
Operations after which he becan
executive officer of the battleShi
South Carolina. '...--
His most recent sea duty was ,
.ar.ooooSer Dott1oShin division