The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-02

Pearl Harbor. The American people are entitled to it, however. The so- lution probably lieE in Congress having its own investigation. Those men were fired but they are moi subject to court martial"
 Apology Due
 Sen. A. B. Chandler, D., Ky: "Kin1mel and Short deserve an apology from those who made them wait this long to clear their names '
 Sen. Homer Ferguson, R., Mich. author of a resolution now pending for a Senate investigation of Pear Harbor: "I'd like the evidence ano conclusions forwarded to the Senate Military Affairs committee to aid us in. determining whether there should be a Senate investigation The people want to know how this thing at Pearl Harbor could possi- bly, happen and yet nobody be tc blame."
 In similar statements yesterday Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and Secretary of Navy James " ForreStal each announced compile tion of the separate Army and Navy inquiries requested by Congress Stimson reported that several of- ficers" in Hawaii and here in Wash ington had not perofrmed their du- ties with necessary skill and judge ment. He said Short already had been punished by relief from his command.
 ssIn my judgment" Stinson con- tinued, Ion the evidence now re- corded, it (Short's relief is suf1- cient action. My conclusion is that under all the circumstances the evidence now recorded does not war. rant the institution of any further proceedings against any officer ir the Army"
 Continue Probe
 Stimson said his own investigation would continue until testimony oi every witness in possession of ma terial facts can be ascertained" and thta he would review his present decision when all returns are in But the odds against any change ir his decision or any further actior against Short probably would bt quoted now at 1000 to one.
 On grounds that to do so woulC be prejudicial to the war effort anc to the safety of American lives Stimson said he would not make public the report of the Army in. VeStigatorS. ForreStal also marked the Navy report "secret."
 Forrestal's announcement went z bit further in clearing Kimmel's record than Stimson's on Short. For restal made no mention of Kimmel'l removal from command or retire. ment. The Navy announcement said:
 "The next result of the finding! of fact and opinion of the Pear Harbor naval court of inquiry is that the evidence now available does not warrant and will not sup. port the trial by court martial o1 any person or persons in the maya. service.
 Findings
 "The secretary in his findings upon the evidence before the court of inquiry and all other proceed ings in the matter to date has found that there were erorrs of judgment on the part of certain officers ir the naval service. both at Pear Harbor and Washington"
 ForreStal said he also would con- tinue his own inquiry and that hi; present conclusion was subject tc review. The investigations were ordered by congress and began last July.
 Admiral Richardson figures in the story only incidentally. He wal named commander-in-chief of the U. s. fleet in 194O and in 194l was summarily removed before his ex- pected tour of duty had ended Naval officers frequently link that fact with later developments in the Pacific, asserting that Richardson was broken because he baked al certain orders from Washington re- garding fleet dispositions.
 Kimmel. who succeeded him, evil dently was more amenable to ia- structions from Washington. Any court martial of Kimmel, the United Press was informed, would have been accompanied by thorough ex- ploration of the causes of Richard sons removal.
 Boston, Dec. g. (UP) - Atty Charles B. Rugg of Boston, counsel for Reard Admiral Husband E. Kimmel believes the announcement that no grounds have been found for court martialing either his client or Maj. Gen. Walter o. Short in the Pearl Harbor disaster of Dec. 2, i04i, means that Adm Kimmel has been cleared"
 Tn q brief statement last night Rugg said:
 The statement of Secretary oi Navy Forrestal means that Adm Kimmei has been cleared. When the people have the full facts they will agree
 Rugg declined to say whether Adm. would seek reinstatement.
 Kimniei, at his home in Yonkers N. Y., said all statements would come from Rugg. He reportedly was in good spirits over the Navy department statement. but declinf comment.