TEXT OF ORDER

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26394, 12 April 1951, Page 7

TEXT OF ORDER

(Rec, 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 11. The text of Mr Truman’s statement handed to correspondents by the White House Press Secretary CMr Joseph Short) was:— '‘With deep regret I have concluded that General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is unable to give his whole-hearted support to the policies of toe United States Government ana of the United Nations in matters pertaining to his official duties, “In view of the specific responsibilities imposed upon me by the Constitution of toe United States I

have decided that I must make a change in command in the Far East. I have therefore relieved General MacArthur of his commands and have designated Lieutenant-General Matthew Ridgway as his successor. Full and vigorous debate on mattertknf national policy is a vital element in the constitutional system of our free democracy. It is fundamental, however, that military commanders must be governed by the policies and directives issued to them in the manner provided by our laws and the Constitution. In time of crisis this consideration is particularly compelling.”