PLANS OF GEN. MacARTHUR

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25440, 11 March 1948, Page 7

PLANS OF GEN. MacARTHUR

Democratic Party Nomination POSSIBLE RIVAL OF MR TRUMAN (Rec. io p.m.) NEW YORK, March 10. General MacArthur loomed tonight not only as a Presidential candidate but as a powibife opponent to Mr Truman fet the Democratic Party nomination. Governor of MaaUchttßttta and i member of the Democratic PartyNational Committee, said that General MacArthur’s name would be presented to the Democratic National Convention. Genera! MacArthur’s decision to accept nomination if it should be offered followed the insertion Of his name in the Wist<msih Republican Party contest, but he did not specify his allegiance to either party. In Tokyo to-day tfeneral MacArthur announced that he would not discusd politics with correspondents. He ,said the Allied occupation of Japan would not change in the slightest as a result of his entry into the American political campaign. General MacArthur’s announcement was made through Colonel Echols, his public information officer. It declined correspondents’ requests for a special press conference and for new pictures of General MacArthur. Colontel Echols said that General MacArthur’s statement of his willingness to accept the Presidency was madte in his capacity as a private citizen and he had nothing to add to it. American newspapers express little surprise kt either General MacArthur’s or President Truman’s decision to stand for the Presidency. The New York “World-Telegram” says: “Nobody should have been surprised at yesterday’s announcement from the White House (that Mr Truman will stand). It now appears that in spite of the turmoil within the Democratic Party, lheir convention will have to nominate Mr Truman.” The New York “Sun” comments: “If Mr Truman cannot win, nobody else on his side can. General MacArthur’S announcement was to be expected. It is in keeping with his character.” The St. Louis “Post-Dispatch” says: “General MacArthur has no coitipunction about going directly from the Army to the White House. The nation will feel no special elation as a result of the Tokyo communique.” If General MabArthUr wins the Republican Presidential nomination he will have to retire frotti the Army to fight the campaign. This is provided for in a joint Army and Navy agreement signed on March 10, 1944, and still effective.