Evening star., 1945-11-20

japanese attacked the Philippines
he doubted whether we would en-
ter the war"
Version of Conversation.
That doesn't sound very much
like Mr.. Roosevelt was trying to get
us into war. does it?" Senator Bark
ley observed. He added that he be-
lieVed the testimony should set at
rest such contention.
Admiral Richardson gave this ac-
count of his October s conversation
with the late President at a White
House luncheon:
Il asked the President if we were
going to enter the war. He replied
that if the Japanese attacked
Thailand or the Kra Peninsula or
the Dutch East Indies we would not
enter the war, and if they even at
tackled the Philippines he doubted
whether we would enter the war:
but that they could not always avoid
making mistakes, and that as the
war continued and the area Of
operations expanded. sooner or later
they would make a mistake and We
would enter the war
Admiral Leahy. now chief Of
staff to the President, then Gov
ernor of Puerto Rico. was pres
ent at the luncheon Admiral Rich
ardson said the President asked Ad-
miral Leahys advice about strength
ening the ASiatic Fleet. Admiral
Leahy, the witness said declared
that whatever you send will be lost ="
and suggested sending the least
valuable units. Admiral Richardson
added, Il suggested that we send
none at all
Returning to his own discussion
with the President, Admiral Rich
ardson then read his memorandum,
which began as follows:
4 took up the question of return
ing TO the Pacific Coast all of the
fleet except the Hawaiian detach-
ment. The President stated that
! the feet was retained in the Ha-
waiian area in order to exercise a
restraining influence on the actions
of Japan.
Il stated that in my opinion the
/ presence of the fleet in Hawaii
might influence a civilian political
I government. but that Japan had a
military government, which knew
/ that the feet was undermanned
unprepared for war, and had no
train of auxiliary ships, without
which it could not undertake active
operations. Therefore, the presence
of the feet in Hawaii could not ex-
erciSe restraining influence on ia
pan actions. I further stated we
were more likely to make the Japa-
nese feel that we meant business if
train were assembled and the feet
returned to the Pacific Coast. with
compliments filled, the ships docked
and fully supplied with ammunition,
provisions. stores and fuel and then
stripped for war operations.
The President said in effect.
. Despite what you believe, l know
that the presence of the fleet in
the Hawaiian area. has had and is
now having, a restraining influence
on the actions of Japan
Il said. Mr.. President, I still do
not believe it and I know that our
feet is disadvantageously disposed
for preparing for or initiating war
operations The President said:
I can be convinced of the de-
STABILITY of returning the battle
ships to the West Coast if I can be
given good statement which will
convince the American people and
the japanese government that in
bringing the battleships to the West
Coast we are not stepping back
ward"
Letters Released.
In the brief time he was on the
stand yesterday Admiral Richard
son confirmed reports that he had
opposed keeping the bulk of the
Pacific Fleet in Hawaiian waters.
AS he took the stand the COM
mittee released a file of letters
tn at passed between Admiral
/ Richardson and Admiral Stark