Evening star., 1949-11-04
An Anxious Citizen
Deplores DenfeId Incident
To the Editor of The Star;

DeploreS Denfeld Incident
70 the Editor of The Star:
Great issues were raised in the unifcation
hearings on Capitol Hill, but questions far
more fundamental and important to the
American people now confront them. The
American way of life is on trial.
Are honest men to be punished for the
courageous expression of convictions born of
long and distinguished service? Are these
men to be condemned for giving, on demand,
TO the American people undisputed facts
concerning the safety of our Nation? Is
military leadership to be maintained only
IN the dangerous atmosphere Of supine yes
men? Are we to permit the sort of ruthless
repression that we have so loudly decried in
Europe? Are we to give substance to the
charge OF American hypocrisy" that ap-
pears 50 often in the propaganda of our
enemies and detractors? These are ques-
tions that the American people must answer
American naval officers have q long and
noble tradition Of placing country before
sell. Fresh IN their minds is Admiral Rich
ardson's removal from command Of our pre-
war fleet for his opposition on professional
grounds to concentration of naval forces
IN the Paciac-a political decision that led
TO national disaster at Pearl Harbor.
consider the plight Of these officers and
its fearful implication upon the welfare of
our Nation. Must personal integrity which
mas oeen held above all else now give way
TO sychophantic submission to political wtims
When the very life Of our country is at stake?
Inc thinly veiled excuses for Admiral Den
1eld's dismissal are transparent. man
whose career has been publicly character
zed by his superiors as forty years of
distinguished service" suddenly Is declared
unquallhed. admittedly because he disagrees
on professional matters with superior (who
q Sc hA&% a.
OF several months service). How can such
man, who only q month ago was con-
sidered sufficiently qualified to be reap
pointed to his job, now be declared SO in
competent as to warrant public dismissal in
= dlsgraceful manner? The American people
should be interested in what are the neces-
sary qualifications Of their Chief of Naval
Operations, besides high integrity, long and
distinguished naval service, wide professional
experience, broad outlook, recognized ability.
and that intense loyalty and respect of sub
ordinates which mark the true military
leader.
This shabby treatment Of an obviously
able and STRAIGHTFORWARD public servant in
comparison with that Of Gen. Vaughan.
seems utterly fantastic. curious contrast
In the character of the principals involved
IN this deplorable affair emerges clearly for
all to view-one man Of high moral courage
and unselnsh purpose, another man whose
scruples give way to fierce political ambition,
q third whose attitudes suggest the influence
OF early upbringing in the political slime
OF Missouri ward, and the fourth, an overly
digntfied novice who confuses military sub
ordination with blind obedience. It indeed
Is ironical that the first must 60. Nothing
could be calculated better to confirm the
complaints that have been expressed by the
Navy than what now has occurred.
America has grown great and strong be-
cause Intellectual honesty has been allowed
to survive high among other freedoms. Let
US hope 1t will not be stined or sacrificed on
some cheap political altar at this crucial
time when all the world looks to America
for moral leadership. There is something
too uncomfortably reminiscent Of the rise
Of Hitler in the ominous cloud now looming
over the Pentagon. Now is no time for the
houting Of democracy.
ANXIOUS CITIZEN.