Evening star., 1943-11-27
Patton Case
Not YET Closed,
Reynolds Says
Senate Committee
To Continue Inquiry
Despite Army Report
PRESBYTERIAN EXECUTIVE tells
of effect of Patton incident on SOL
dlers overseas. Page B-1
(Tert OF Eisenhower Report on
Page AT.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,

The Senate Military Affairs
Committee is holding open for
further study the case of 1t. Gen.
George S. Patton, jr., despite the
report of Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hover that adequate corrective
action already has been taken
as the result of Gen. Patton's
treatment of two of his enlisted
men in Sicily last August.
In the report, read to the Senate
late yesterday, Gen. Eisenhower
called Gen. Patton's conduct repre-
hensible," but called attention to
the generals apology to his entire
7th Army and to a letter of rebuke
from Gen. Eisenhower. The COM
manoer of the Mediterranean the.
ater also emphasized his belief that
Gen. Patton's ability as a leader in
battle will make him useful in the
fighting still to be done.
Gen. Eisenhower gave every indi-
cation that he considered the case
closed, and that Gen. Patton would
retain his command, as did Secre-
tary of War Stimson in submitting
the report.
The Army and Navy Journal un,-
official but authoritative service
publication, today praised Gen. Pat
tons accomplishments, but declared
that any officers guilty of under
mining state of discipline based
on mutual respect" should be re-
lieved instantly OF command.
Suggest Patton Rest.
After rest as in the case of Gen.
Patton" the Journals editorial said,
they might prove to be useful
again"
The Army and Navy Register. an
other unofficial service publication,
said in an editorial
Another regrettable affair in the
Army must be attributed to the de.
sire to suppress news. If the Incl
dent had promptly been dis
posed of and a truthful statement
issued from the headquarters Of
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied
commander, it probably would have
been passed by as happening fol-
lowing the difficult campaign in
Sicily when nerves of officers and
men had been severely strained.
Instead, an effort was made to sup
press the story although it was
known to a number of people"
Avoiding any comment on the
Eisenhower report. Chairman Reyn-
olds OF the Military Affairs Commit
tee merely said. This by no means
closes the matter and added the
committee would discuss it further
at meeting next week.
Promotion Pending,
When the storm broke with tha
DELAYED revelation OF Gen. Patton's
conduct toward two unwounded but
shell-shocked soldiers there was
pending before the Senate commit
tee the nomination of 1t. Gen. Pat.
ton for promotion from the perma-
nent rank OF colonel to major gen.
eral. Senator Reynolds said this
ana other pending nominations NAV
come up next week.
Whether the committee goes anv
further into the Patton incident is
likely to depend on what informal
reaction it gets from the Senate az
whole during the next few days.
Senator Holman, Republican, of
Oregon, one of the few COMMITTEES
members who commented imme-
diately, said, I've just got to defer
to Gen. Eisenhower, who is out
there"
My current notion" he continued,
lis that I want to win this war.
There are lot of things 1 don't like,
but expediency in winning the war
must be considered"
Thomas Lauds Report.
Although not passing final judg.
ment on the matter, Senator Thom-
as, Democrat. of Utah praised Gen.
Eisenhower for his full report on
the subject, and said he believed
Gen. Pattons apologies shows he
(see PATTON. Page A-6.)