MACARTHUR for PRESIDENT

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24237, 20 April 1944, Page 5

MACARTHUR for PRESIDENT

AUSTRALIAN VIEW (Rec. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 19. "General MacArthur’s statement is couched in lofty language, but it sadly lacks the decisiveness of the reply given by an earlier American general —Sherman of Civil War fame,” says the "Sydney Morning Herald.” "When Sherman was proposed as a Presidential candidate he declared: ‘lf I am nominated I will not run; if I am elected I will not serve.’ ” Reviewing the possibility of General MacArthur’s Presidential candidacy, the "Herald” says that, as long ago as last December, it was suggested that, while General MacArthur’s possible nomination was a matter strictly between him and his fellow American citizens, the prolonged uncertainty about his own attitude was undesirable, since it might prejudice the south-west Pacific theatre of operations. Referring to the letters written by General Mac Arthur to Mr A. L. Miller, the "Herald” says that the fact that these were published by Mr Miller shows how undesirable it is that a commander in the field should even so much as exchange political views with opponents of the President, who is Commander-in-Chief of the United States forces. "Politics and active soldiering cannot but mix indifferently, if at all, and. In the conflict, the command itself is always liable to suffer, either through antagonism aroused at home or in other ways. "While it is for General Mac Arthur to decide in what capacity he can best serve his country we in Australia can legitimately express the hope that his splendid work ,in the south-west Pacific should not be compromised by continuing uncertainty about his relation to the Presidential contest.” 'A Washington message says that Mr Miller has inserted a statement in the Congressional record taking full. responsibility for releasing the MacArthur correspondence. "I ask,” he said, "that criticism be directed entirely at me. The general in no way was entirely in agreement with my criticism of the New Deal, although I feel he is gravely concerned with the way things are going in his beloved country. The public response demonstrates that the Republican Party should nominate .General MacArthur.’