General Emmons Leaves Hawaii June 1

(By Associated Press)

Honolulu, May 28. — Lieut. General Delos C. Emmons, commander of the Hawaiian department of U. S. Army during the grim days following the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor will relinquish that command June 1 and be succeeded by Major Gen. Robert C. Richardson.

General Emmons, who made the announcement of the change yesterday after he had received the distinguished service medal in recognition of his outstanding work here, did not disclose his new assignment but speculation immediately arose that he might take over the western defense command in the Fourth Army, now headed by Lieut. Gen. John L. DeWitt.

“There wouldn't be a more pleasant place to serve” than San Francisco, General Emmons said in explaining he was unable to announce his new post.

DeWitt

In San Francisco, Rep. Richard J Welch (R-Calif.) said in an interview this week that there was a difference between General DeWitt and a War Department faction over DeWitt's vigorous opposition to any relaxation of the rules excluding Japanese from western defense areas, and, because of it DeWitt was to be transferred with General Emmons replacing him. In Washington, Secretary of War Stimson at a press conference termed such reports of differences “nonsense.”

General Emmons took over the command of the Hawaiian Department 10 days after the Pearl Harbor attack. His 17 months here have witnessed the throwing up of defenses costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Commends Emmons

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz commander-in-chief of the Pacific Ocean areas, in presenting him the distinguished service medal said that General Emmons assumed command when “the prospects were indeed very grim. General Emmons immediately proceeded to increase and strengthen the defenses. His responsibility extended far to the South and West, where he was charged with the construction of air bases which now are serving us so well.”

General Emmons, who is 55, said he would leave for the mainland as soon as he was relieved.

General Richardson, 60, a native of Charleston, S. C., was transferred here recently from the Seventh Training Corps at Jacksonville, Fla. He has been decorated for heroism in the Philippines in 1905, where's the distinguished service cross for AEF action in the first World War. In 1941, he took command of the Seventh Army Corps at Birmingham, Ala.

He Sponsored Combat Team

As commander of the Hawaiian department of the United States army, General Emmons effectuated the war department's program affording Japanese-Americans the opportunity to enlist in the army for combat-team training at Camp Shelby. At the time the plan was announced, General Emmons paid this tribute to the Japanese-Americans in Hawaii:

“They have behaved themselves admirably under the most trying conditions, have bought great quantities of War Bonds, and by the labor of their hands have added to the common defense. I believe that the response to this call will be sincere and generous.”

Three weeks later general Emmons expressed his gratification on learning that more than 7,000 had volunteered. He told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin: “This figure represents about five times the quota and about 30 per cent of all those old enough or young enough to volunteer. This would be a most credible showing among any other group of Americans anywhere in the country. My confidence in them (the Japanese-Americans) is being justified.”