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Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

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1942–1944 417<br />

It could mean embarrassment <strong>and</strong> unfavorable publicity. “If<br />

we don’t pursue this matter,” Rugg went on, they may “drop this<br />

business <strong>and</strong> you will be free from any more public discussion.”<br />

Kimmel was “determined that the American people . . . know this<br />

story” <strong>and</strong> he “authorized [Rugg] to go all out to see that it is<br />

done.” [He was] “prepared to face the consequences, embarrassment,<br />

misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing, time, anything.” He told Rugg, “Go to<br />

it!” 21<br />

Th us it was largely as a result <strong>of</strong> Kimmel’s eff orts that the<br />

statute <strong>of</strong> limitations on court-martialing Kimmel <strong>and</strong> Short was<br />

extended—six months from December 7, 1943, to June 7, 1944.<br />

And extended yet again to December 7, 1944. 22<br />

Short also wanted a chance to present his case, but he was a<br />

very diff erent personality <strong>and</strong> less aggressive than Kimmel in his<br />

pursuit <strong>of</strong> a hearing. 23<br />

21John Tol<strong>and</strong> interview <strong>of</strong> Hanify.<br />

22In March 1944 some members <strong>of</strong> Congress urged a still further extension<br />

<strong>of</strong> the statute <strong>of</strong> limitations. Th ey argued that the courts martial <strong>of</strong> Kimmel<br />

<strong>and</strong> Short should not continue to be postponed indefi nitely. Th e House<br />

Rules Committee approved a measure extending to June 7, 1945, the possible<br />

starting date for their courts martial. Moreover, rather than merely lengthening<br />

the time during that Kimmel <strong>and</strong> Short might be court martialed, the<br />

House committee’s measure proposed that the Army <strong>and</strong> Navy be ordered to<br />

schedule their courts martial. Th e Senate Committee then voted to consider<br />

the House committee’s resolution in closed session (Washington Star, March<br />

29, 1944). Th us the chances that Kimmel <strong>and</strong> Short would get their open<br />

hearing were improving. However, the House committee’s proposal was not<br />

accepted as worded. Rather the court-martial deadline was extended again<br />

for another six months only, i.e., until December 7, 1944. On that date it was<br />

extended once more, into 1945. ( Joint Committee, <strong>Pearl</strong> <strong>Harbor</strong> Attack, part<br />

3, pp. 1517–18).<br />

23Washington Star, March 29, 1944, p. 24.

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