RECALLED TO U.S.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 3

RECALLED TO U.S.

GEN. STILWELL CHANGES IN FAR EAST COMMANDS DIVIDED (10 a.m.) WASHINGTON. Oct. 2!). Officials of the White House announced that Lieutenant-General J. Sti! well has been relieved of his duties in the Far East and recalled to Washington. The former China, Burma and India theatre, commanded by General Stihvell, will be divided into two theatres under separate commanders. The American forces in the China theatre will be commanded by Major-General A. C. Wedemeyer, who has also been appointed chief of staff to General Chiang Kai-Shek. General Wedemeyer is at present deputy Chief of Staff to Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, Allied Supreme Commander in South-east Asia. The United States forces in Burma and India will be commanded by Lieu-tenant-General Daniel Sultan, at present deputy commander in the China, Burma and India theatre.

Shortly after the White House announcement, the Dar Department, in a statement, said that in view of the decision to divide the China, Burma and India theatre into two smaller theatres, General Stilwell had been recalled to Washington. He will be given a new important but at present undisclosed assignment. The United Press reports that “other sources” sav that General Chiang Kai-Shex requested General Stilwell’s withdrawal as a result of long-standing differences of opinion on basic concepts and command matters and also how the Far East war should be conducted. Disagreement With British & Chinese The New York Times’ correspondent in Washington says it is reported from Chungking that BrigadierGeneral Benjamin Ferris, deputy Chief of Staff in China, is also returning to the United States. BrigadierGeneral Ferris was formerly liaison officer for General Stilwell with the British authorities in New Delhi. His impending return is regarded as confirmation of the reports that General Stilwell disagreed with the British as well as the Chinese over strategy and otner unitary matters. General Stilwell’s recall is generally regarded as a reflection of the unhappy state of the war in China.

The Associated Press says that a hign Chinese Government official revealed that General Stilwell was removed at General Chiang request after Madame Chiang Kaishek’s departure from China two months ago. Madame Chiang Kaishek prevented General Stilwell and General Chiang from, actually fighting each other and provided the only link between the men who refused to write or speak to each other. / General Chiang and General Stilwell have been at swords’ points since the battle for the Burma Koad. General Chiang, whose forces were at the northern end of the road, wanted to defend only that sector, rather than the entire road because of his limited resources. General Chiang, therefore, requested General Stilwell to remain with him. However, General Stilwell disagreed and advanced towards Burma to attempt to protect the southern approach to the Burma road. The action resulted in failure and General Stilwell was forced to retreat and the Burma Road was lost. Thereafter, the two generals were unable to agree and attempted to fight a war by themselves.