Evening star., 1941-12-09

Later DEBATE on the war reacneQ
the floor of both House and Senate.
Representative Dingen. Democrat,
of Michigan told the House he pro-
posed to demand that court-martial
proceedings be instituted against
high-ranking Army officers and the
commander of the Pacific Fleet for
what happened in Hawaii
Mr.. Dingell named specifically
1t. Gen. Walter c. Short. command
ing the Hawaiian Department; Maj.
Gen. H. H. Arnold, deputy chief of
staff for air; Maj. Gen. George H.
Brett, chief of the Army Air Corps,
and Admiral Husband Kimmel,
commander of the Pacific Fleet.
Kimmel Defense Applauded.
Representative Bulwinkle. Demo-
crat, of North Carolina Immediately
arose to say "it behooves members
to keep their feet on the ground"
and not act without knowing the
full facts.
Bursts Of applause greeted his re-
marks. as well as a statement by
Representative Van Zandt, Repub-
lican, of Pennsylvania that he re-
sented criticism of Admiral Kimmel.
Mr. Van Zandt said that the House
members did not appreciate the ad-
vancement of aircraft and when
all reports were in there would be
no criticism of any Of the admiral's
staff or personnel.
Representative Dingell's action
was denounced by Chairman Vinson
of the House Naval Affairs Commit
tee as nothing but cheap effort to
get newspaper publicity"
Representative Vinson said he re-
sented the insinuation that the
naval and military men in the Pa
cific, who, he said, were offering
their lives on the altar of service to
their country" had not been true to
their trust.
This is no time to rock the boat"
Mr.. Vinson said II the Navy has
suffered casualties at Pearl Harbor
there's Just one simple thing to do
buckle up our belts and make de-
termined effort that will win the
war that much sooner"
Mr.. Vinson commented that Con
eress cannot fight this war" adding
that that job must be left to the
men trained for the task.
At the same time. Chairman
Walsh Of the Senate Naval Affairs
Committee took the floor to urge
his colleagues not to press for fur
= ther details of the fighting in the
Pacific until after President Roose-
welt talks to the Nation by radio to-
night.
Senator Tobey, Republican, Of
New Hampshire interrupted to de-
clare that if reports he had heard
were true to the effect that "a large
part of the Pacific fleet has been
wiped out" the American people
ought to know it.
Walsh Asks Cooperation.
He went on to assert that only
"a hours before the japanese attack
Secretary Knox had issued state
ment, ''the gist of which was that
the Navy is ready" and added that
as a result of what happened "the
pride and confidence of the people
in some of their officials has been
hurt"
Senator Walsh broke in to declare
that whatever may have happened,
talk ought to cease now and give
way to work and cooperation"
Chairman Connally of the Foreign
Relations Committee joined Senator
Walsh in the appeal not to debate
the question and thereby possibl.
give the enemy information 1t shoult
not have. but to trust the President
as Commander in Chief, to disclos'
what he deems advisable.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican
OF Michigan suggested that wha
took place today suggested the ad
visibility of a liaison committee be
tween Congress and the Presiden
on the conduct of the war.
The decision or the House Nava
Committee to call Secretary Kno'
and Admiral Stark was reached a
a session which heard declaration
by Representative Vincent, Demo
crat, OF Kentucky, that some on
was asleep" at the time of Japan
lightning air attack Sunday.
The Kentuckian made the state
(See CONGRESS, Page A-4D