COMMAND SET UP IN SPITE OF N.Z. PROTEST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 255, 28 October 1942, Page 3

COMMAND SET UP IN SPITE OF N.Z. PROTEST

AMERICAN POLICY U.S. Writer On Divided Control In Pacific United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2 p.m. NEW YORK, Oct. 27. Until last week-end American policy in the entire Pacific area was dominated by a "beat Hitler first" attitude and an endeavour to maintain a defensive position on the Australia-New Zealand front, but Vice-Admiral W. F. Halsey's appointment to succeed Rear-Admiral Ghormley suggests a new turn in high policy, putting greater emphasis on aggressive operations in the South-west Pacific, says the Christian Science Monitor correspondent at Washington.

He adds that the situation "down under" has been shaping up to a change of policy and a change of personnel. "It is unfortunate that much criticism of operations in that area preceded Admiral Ghormley's removal. He did what he was supposed to do. He kept aloof from General Mac Arthur and opened a campaign of limited objective in the Solomons, but limited objectives in the Pacific obviously give Japan what she wants most —ample opportunity to consolidate territorial gains. The rigid demarcation line between General Mac Arthur's and Admiral Ghormley's command is an embarrassment to everyone.

Not Satisfied With Progress

"Dissatisfaction with the progress in the Solomons has become so great." the correspondent continue*, "that Washington opinion has veered somewhat away from its strong antiMac Arthur bias. Political Washington was largely responsible for the establishment of two separate commands in the Pacific, partly because of jealousy of General Mac Arthur's popularity and partly because the Conservative Opposition launched a 'Mac Arthur for President' campaign. cNow the means taken to cut down General Mac Arthur have back-fired.

"The navy, which insisted on independence from General MacArthur, subjected itself to heavy criticism, while General Mac Arthur sat quietly on the sidelines doing what was possible to lend air support for the Solomons, but he was unable to lend other support because he was never given the necessary shipping. It is even asked in Washington whether it wasn't a mistake to move to the Solomons instead of first cleaning up New Guinea. Lack of Unified Command

"The importance of the issue serves as a highlight on the lack of a unified command in the Pacific. General Mac Arthur came to Australia with the promise that he would be supreme commander of the entire Australia and New Zealand area, but finally this was whittled down to Australia. The separate naval command in New Zealand was

established over the protest of the New Zealand Government, which had always planned its defence in close harmony with Australia. Admiral Halsey may have, among his instructions, the opening of negotiations toward the eventual establishment of formal 'diplomatic relations' with General Mac Arthur."