WEAKNESS IN BURMA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1942, Page 5

WEAKNESS IN BURMA

Lack of Unified Command

(Rec. 1 p.m.) \ CHUNGKING, April 15. "Lack of co-ordination among: the Allies in Burma continues, with the question of a unified command apparently unsettled," says the English "National Herald" in an editorial. "More than once a precipitous Allied withdrawal in one sector has seriously exposed the flanks of other forces. Moreover, there is a singular lack of any attempt by one Allied force to counter-attack for the relief of enemy pressure in some other sector."

army changes which were assumed to have been approved by him as supreme commander. During this period the appointment of General Blarney was announced as Commander-in-Chief of the Allied land forces in Australia. Questioned on this aspect, the United States army spokesman said: "General Mac Arthur has been in close contact with the Australian Army and Government officials, and has received the closest c6-operation. They have been making all possible plans, pending General Mac Arthur's official assumption of the command." Correspondents are of the opinion, following today's revelations, that General Mac Arthur has been operating by periodic advice and consultation. They are asking what would happen if Australia were invaded tomorrow and whether General Mac Arthur would be able to act summarily and order the disposition of all forces, or whether he would be compelled to consult the Australian service chiefs. A cablegram received late yesterday said that at a Press conference, President Roosevelt reiterated in clear-cut terms that General Mac Arthur was in supreme command of all the Allied military, naval, and ar- forces in the south-west Pacific theatre of war. The statement was made in resoonse to a reporter's request for comment on recent dispatches from Australia indicating that there was some question about General Mac Arthur's. authority.