Mr Duff Cooper’s Recall

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23537, 15 January 1942, Page 4

Mr Duff Cooper’s Recall

“ Informed quarters ” in London have offered a laborious and pal-: ently disingenuous explanation of the 1 British Government’s decision to re-j call Mr Duff Cooper from Singapore. | “Mr Duff Cooper's return to West-! “minster,” observes “The Times,” 1 “ leaves the way clear for setting up i “an alternative authority able to 1 “take, or at least advise on, deeds- ■ “ ions on Far Eastern policy- with the • “full weight of the Allied counsel of' “ the four indispensable participants, | “the United Stales, the Netherlands! “East Indies, Great Britain, and | “Australia. ... No doubt some! “scheme of allied co-operation . . “ will be found among the baggage j “ to be brought home by Mr Church- “ ill.” The need for an Allied council in the Far East to with poll-

tical, diplomatic, and economic questions can be admitted. But in what way do’es Mr Duff Cooper’s recall make it easier to establish such a body? Since Mr Duff Cooper has been in the Far East for four months and has established personal contacts with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands Indies, and the Philippines, his knowledge and experience ought to enable him to assist greatly in the establishment -of an Allied council j in the Far East. Moreover, it seems most unfortunate that the British War Cabinet should be left without any representative in the Far East until such time as an Allied council is established —if it is to be established. For the Australian and New Zealand Governments there is another disquieting aspect of the situation. Before his departure, Mr Duff Cooper was (it is understood) discussing with these Governments a scheme whereby they would be kept more fully informed about Far Eastern developments and would have a greater share in the direction of Far Eastern policy. That scheme, presumably, is now shelved. The result is that, at a time when events in the Far East immediately menace the security of Australia and New Zealand, the Governments of these Dominions are left with little power to influence developments and with inadequate sources of information., New Zealand’s position, because of its Government’s disastrous delay in appointing a Minister .o Washington, is worse than Australia’s. Having regard to these considerations, it is difficult to believe that Mr Duff Cooper was recalled for any of the reasons suggested in “ informed “ quarters.” It is much easier to believe that he was called back because he is not very competent or because he was at loggerheads with the War Cabinet or General Wavell. Mr Duff Cooper was not selected for the Singapore mission because he was specially qualified for it but because a Cabinet reshuffle left him without a portfolio. Nevertheless, even if he was not a wise choice, his going leaves a gap which ought to be filled.