Evening star., 1945-12-15
Pearl Hurbor
Continued From First Page J

ton with Gen. Douglas Macarthur
soon after news of the attack on
Pearl Harbor reached Washington
1t was the first time details%of this
talk had been brought out.
DO you recall when the Japanese
struck the Philippines?' Senator
Lucas asked
Il should think it was probably
10 to II hours after they struck
Hawaii" said Gen. Gerow. Il don't
remember exactly. I know I tele-
phoned the Philippines shortly after
the Hawaiian attack and the Phil
ippines had not been attacked at
that time
Talked With Macarthur.
Whom did you talk to in the
Philippines?"
To Gen. Macarthur" Gen.
GeroW replied. Il told him of the
attack on Hawaii He asked what
damage had been done. l told him
I couldn't reveal any details, be-
cause the telephone was not secret.
He said they hadn't attacked the
Philippines at that time, though he
said some planes were approaching
Gen, Macarthur said the defenders
of the Philippines were ready to
meet any attack"
Questioned further by Senator
Ferguson, Gen. Gerow pointed out
that the November 27 instructions
to Gen. Short stated that nothing
in it was to be construed as jeopar-
dizing the defense of the islands.
Gen. Short had the right under
the orders he received to do any
thing necessary to protect Hawaii,
Gen. GeroW insisted.
Senator Ferguson emphasized that
the warning said Future japanese
action unpredictable Pressed to
interpret this further, Gen. Gerow
said:
Just where and when the Japs
would strike no one knew
Did You believe they might
strike Hawaii?" Senator Ferguson
asked.
II don't think l came to the con-
clusions they would attack Hawaii
and no other place. the general re-
piled. Il thought they might attack
any of our possessions in the Pa
cif1c-or all of them
Pressed to say whether it was his
duty as chief of the War Plans Di-
vision to prepare action" messages,
Gen. Gerow said it was. explaining:
One of my responsibilities was to
prepare action messages for the
Chief of Staff or the Secretary of
War. If neither of them had been
available, and 1 felt it necessary, I
would take the responsibility and
send such message and take the
consequences if I made a mistake. I"
When it came his time to question
the witness, Representative Keefe,
Republican, of Wisconsin said: Il
shall not detain you long. think
you are great officer" Then he
asked:
You testified under oath before
the Army Pearl Harbor Board and
told what you knew"
That was correct, Gen. Gerow said.
Signed Affidavit.
Then, Mr.. Keefe added, 1t Col
Henry C. Clausen saw the general
in France and got him to sign an
afidavit giving his recollection of
the events surrounding Pearl Har-
Dor.
Did he tell you why he was OBJ
tanning that affidavit?" Mr.. Keefe
asked.
Il think" said Gen. Gerow, "he
stated that there was other testi-
mony after I testified before the
Army board which I didn't have
an opportunity to reply to, and my
present testimony would cover these
points"
Col. Clausen was asked by Sec
retary Stimson to clear up disputed
testimony taken at the Army in
quiry.
In response to other questions.
Gen. Gerow said he was trying to
remember all the details of the con-
ferences and other activities in the
days just before Pearl Harbor.
I'm sorry I can't remember
everything" he said.
For any one who has rendered
the magnificent and conspicuous
service you have in this war" Mr..
Keefe replied, II think you have
done extremely well to remember
as much as you have that far back. "