Evening star., 1949-10-07
Something Deep Seen
In Fact Naval Officers
Risk Loss Of Careers
Intimidation and Threuts
Fail to Holt Statements
On Notions Defense Need
By David Laurence

OO0letIlIlS Q6ep ana SOul-SIlr =
ring must account for the fact
that men in naval uniform,
trained to obey instantly orders
that might send them to their
deaths, should now risk the loss
Of their careers in order to bring
to the attention of the public what
they regard as a serious blow to
our national defense.
Capt. John Crommelin is now
under technical arrest by orders Of
President Truman, Commander
in-Chief Of the Armed Services
who admitted to press confer
ence that he had a hand in sus-
pending the naval hero-at least
he failed to stop a disgraceful
procedure.
The same John Crommelin isn't
squawking about his fate any
more than he did that tragic day
November 80. 1943-when his
aircraft carrier. the "Liscombe
Bay" was blown up by japanese
torpedo and set ablaze, and he
found himself burning.
Described by Survivor.
Here is how a survivor describes
that episode:
Capt. Crommelin. chief of staff.
although wrapped in flame by the
blast, was one of the few survivors
Of the flag organization. The ad-
miral was killed. Stick your fin
ger in q match flame some time.
The captain can tell you how that
feels. spread all over your hide.
He jumped over the side. swan to
q raft and for some time calmly
discussed with the others on the
raft the proposition of whether or
not he was roasted to the point
where it wouldn't be worth while
for him to hang on.
Later, however. lying in the
sickbay Of the Leonard Wood,
wrapped up like a cocoon, he had
the same old grin for anybody
who dropped down to see how he
was taking 1t. Glad to see you
made it, too was the word. Odds
were about 10 to l among the
crew that he'd never pull out. but
1t seems he did"
Just what did Capt. Crommelln
do this week that should invite
such ignominious punishment as
house arrest? He gave the press
letters that discussed Americas
naval future in an abstract way,
with not a single mention OF any
thing secret or classified therein.
Since when is it a crime or must
q naval officer be punished for
being interviewed by the press or
for giving information to the
press that is not secret or class
ified? At the worst, he might
deserve a court of inquiry and a
chance to be heard on his con-
stitutional right to speak his
views and give the public informa-
ton In his possession on national
policy.
g. Why Did He Take Step!
Is Why, it must be asked, did
Capt. Crommelin take the step he
did? Why are so many naval
officers 50 deeply aroused? Presi-
dent Truman, who ought to be
more respectful since he is Com
mander-in-C Chief, treats 1t all flip
pantly-as if it were just a
squabble between children. Sec
retary Of Defense johnson treats
it likewise and talks about knock
ing heads together. Secretary OF
the Navy Matthews takes the
position that a naval officer loses
his rights as an American citizen
and dare not criticize the laws
Of his country.
The American people should be
seriously concerned-not because
there is q controversy over a ma
tional policy but because mill
taristic methods are being used
to squelch public discussion and
because the prerogatives of the
Congress are being impaired.
II officers in the armed services
are to be intimidated by threats
Of punishment when they seek to
discuss the very subject on which
they are qualified to speak, it can
only mean that Prussian militar-
ism has taken hold in the United
States and that the ways and
methods Of the Nazi general staff
which brooked no opposition
from the Reichstag-are being
duplicated in supposedly free
America.
Threats of Punishment.
Talk Of tapped wires and
threats of punishment if members
of the armed services even speak
to Members of Congress are
emerging as collateral phases of
q controversy as to whether Amer
lea is preparing the right offense
and defense against a potential
enemy.
But why are the officers Of the
Navy so apprehensive? Why are
they so eager to get their story
to the public? Why did Secre-
tary OF Defense johnson and
Secretary Of the Navy Matthews
try to squelch all testimony?
Why did the House Armed Serv-
ices Committee at first decide to
hear Admiral Radford, command.
er-in-chief Of the Pacific Fleet
in open session and then order
his testimony to be given in
secret session and then reverse
itself and order open sessions?
What kind Of pressure is being
exerted on the vacillating House
Armed Services Committee. ano
by whom?
President Truman frankly con.
fesses that he uses lobby meth.
ods and puts pressure on men,
bers Of the Senate in dealing
with appointments. How much
assurance can anybody, inside
or outside the armed services
have that the American people