ROLE OF MACARTHUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 106, 31 October 1942, Page 7

ROLE OF MACARTHUR

DISPLEASURE FELT IN WASHINGTON

NEW YORK, October 29

Discussing General Mac Arthur's disclaimer of political ambitions, Arthur Krock, chief Washington correspondent of the "New York Times," reports that the General became concerned about the possible effects on his military effectiveness when the chatter about his Presidential candidature started. "Some months ago an army officer, who was a very important legal figure in private life returned from Australia bearing word from the General that he was not and would not be a candidate, asking only for the fullest possible scope as a soldier," says Mr. Krock. "The messenger delivered the tidings to President Roosevelt, Mr. Stimson, the Secretary of War, and others. Later he told his friends that he was roundly lectured at the White House and the War Department for carrying a message about politics. Furthermore, severe criticism was expressed about General Mac Arthur sending such a message. MILITARY CRITICS. "While the political section of the Government was expressing this form of displeasure, the military section also produced critics who deprecated General Mac Arthur's communiques as unsoldierly and flamboyant, and analysed unfavourably his military dispositions in the battle of Batan.

"It is perfectly possible for those who are accused of a political grudge against General Mac Arthur to produce professional soldiers who believe that he should not have a command of paramount importance.

"Mr. Stimson's denial that the Solomons is a navy show, indicates that General Mac Arthur's political disclaimer has not wholly corrected his relations with Washington "