Evening star., 1945-11-20
Richardson UphoIds
KimmeI's S Plans to
Defend Pearl Horbor
Admiral Says Officials
Felt That japanese
Could Be BIuffed
BY ]. A. O'LEARY and
CARTER BROOKE JONES.

CAh 1Lh DhOOhE JONES.
Admiral James o. Richardson,
retired, former commander of
the United States Fleet, told the
congressional Pearl Harbor In
vestigating Committee today
that after series of conferences
here in the summer of 1910, he
left with "a distinct impression
that there was a feeling in
Washington that japan could be
bluffed."
Although the n-spoken vet
eran of 40 years of naval service dis
agreed with the administration
decision to keep the feet at Pearl
Harbor. he defended the detailed
plans issued in October. 1941, by
Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmei,
his successor in the Pacific, for the
defense of that American outpost.
When he was relieved of command
in the Pacific in February, 194l, Ad-
miral Richardson said, he directed
his staff to confer with the incom-
ing staff on revision of the defense
plans. Had he remained in COM
mand, he said, the order would have
borne his signature and would have
been substantially the same.
Had Distinct Impression.
Committee Counsel William D.
Mitchell was questioning the ad-
miral ABOUT his talks with officials
here in July, 1910, when he said:
Il did not get this from Mr.. Hull.
but l left Washington with the dis
tinct impression that there was an
opinion in Washington that Japan
could be bluffed.''
The admiral said during that visit
the then Secretary of State very
completely and comprehensively
presented his view of the relations
between the United States and
Japan
He felt we should show strong
attitude toward Japan and felt that
retention of the feet reflected that
ttitude, Admiral Richard
son said.
itchell then asked if he had
fs'"i~a1 Ecrcld R. Stark, then
chief of naval operations, while
mere and how he felt about the
situation. ....
Knox Suggested Restudy.
Admiral Richardson replied he
had seen Admiral Stark and added,
My belief is that if Stark had
not been Influenced by other con-
siderations, he would have whole
heartedly agreed with me" He said
he thought some of their corre-
spondence, made public last night,
indicated that.
Another high light today was dis
closure that IN a letter dated Janu-
ary "a. 194l, Secretary of the Navy
Knox informed Secretary of War
Stimson that reports from abroad
of successful bombing and torpedo
plane attacks on ships while in
bases were one factor suggesting
the need for restudy of the security
of the Pacific Fleet while in Pearl
Harbor.
Col. Knox also told Mr.. Stimson
that if war with Japan occurred,
hostilities might begin with a sur
prise attack on the Pacific Fleet or
the naval base at Pearl Harbor.
The letter was mentioned in the
Army Pearl Harbor boards report
last August.
I'm my opinion" Col Knox wrote,
'the inherent possibilities of a
major disaster to the feet or naval
base warrant taking every step, as
rapidly as can be done, that will in
crease the joint readiness of the
Army and Navy to withstand a
raid of the character mentioned
above"
Six Hazards Listed.
Col. Knox envisaged six hazards
which he listed in the following
order of Importance:
Air bombing attack, air torpedo
plane attack, sabotage, submarine
attack. mining and bombardment
by gunfire
Defense against all but the first
two of these dangers appears to
have been provided for satisfacto-
rily," he wrote, adding that he con-
sidered the solution of the two types
of aerial attack of primary impor-
tance."
Mr.. Stimson replied in letter
dated February 7. 1941, concurring
as to the Importance of the matter
and "the urgency of our making
every possible preparation to meet
such hostile effort"
just before Admiral Richardson
resumed his testimony this morn
ing. committee attaches announced
that Admiral William D. Leahy,
President Roosevelt's chief of staff
during the war, would testify dur
ing the day, either jointly with
Admiral Richardson or after the
latter has completed his testimony.
Admiral Richardson said yester-
day that Admiral Leahy was pres
ent at one of Admiral Richardson's
conferences with the late President.
Admiral Richardson resumed his
testimony with an account of con-
versation with Mr.. Roosevelt at the