The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, March 19th, 1942. UNDER AMERICAN EAGLE’S WING.

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, March 19th, 1942. UNDER AMERICAN EAGLE’S WING.

Even though their plan of campaign may- already hjive committed them to the attempt to invade Australia, the Japanese nevertheless may quail at the news which is now evoking jubilation in the United States as well as in this country and Australia. The appointment of General MacArthur to Supreme Command of all forces of the United Nations to the eastward of Singapore, though repeatedly hinted some weeks ago, has come nevertheless as a most welcome surprise for the general public. It is so for more than one reason Personally he has been one of the comparatively few commanders on the side of the Allies who has in this war won a great reputation as a fighter. By contrast with, every other front, for instance, in the South Western Pacific, the one of which he has been in command has alone maintained until now a resistance so gallant and so well directed that the enemy is still unable, despite vastly greater forces, to overcome it. For this credit doubtless must go in no small degree to the Filipino soldiers as well as their American comrades, but the success of the stand in its direction also reflects the mind of a master of warfare. His transfer to Australia, in the words of President Roosevelt, represents in American estimation his location in the position where he can serve his own country as well as these countries in the greatest degree. The enemy may compare his departure from the Philippines with the withdrawal of other Allied commanders in the face of superior opposition, but the Japanese cannot explain away the fact that Bataan Peninsula still foils their augmented forces, any more than they can hide their chagrin at the fact that the man who has withstood them in comparatively

;a smaller theatre is now an obstacle they must face in the largest theatre of the Pacific war. It may not be till the Philippine campaign is fully recorded that, the world will learn adequately of General MacArthur’s genius, but enough is known to make it certain he is the man. to lead the forces whose duty it will he to stay finally the offensive of lhe enemy in this quarter of the globe. The Australian Prime Minister has acknowledged gratefully that his Government took the initiative in securing- the services of General MacArthur, and that th'e United States President responded in a manner that will merit the everlasting gratitude of Australia. Our own spokesman, the Prime Minister, and the Dominion Minister to the United States have joined enthusiastically in the chorus of approval which has greeted the new departure, which gives definite form to the new strategy devised for the United Nations in the Pacific. Indeed, this aspect of the advent of an American Commander-in-Chief is no less important than the personal aspect. General MacArthur represents the might of the United States. He verily commits his. country irrevocably against Japan south of the Equator. The counterpart of his arrival has been the arrival of the vanguard of American forces in probably many of the more inhabited and strategic territories of the South West Pacific. The composition of that vanguard will remain meantime a military secret, but American spokesmen already have admitted that it is AIIP at nmi cirl npoK]n rlnuanainnc

t and its efficiency may be inferred 3 from the successful air attacks which appear to have been foiling the spearhead of the Japanese in their approach to the Australian mainland. The forces in New Zealand as well as those in Australia are all now under the supreme command of General MacArthur, and Mr Nash is author ity for the prediction that this . Dominion is destined to become a main base in the operations , against Japan. Having thus related the appointment of the new leader with the commitment to support his eo’mmand with all of the forces available from the United States, it might seem that this and the neighbouring dominion can breathe easily and await developments. That would, however, be undoubtedly to ignore 1 all of the exhortations our leaders for months have been making that our peri] is great and even growing. The foundation of General Mae Arthur’s forces is not coming with him. It consists of the men already in arms in these dominions, who doubtless ( outnumber exceedingly those that the Japanese will be able to transport in their southward offensive. The art of General MacArthur will be to hold the enemy where he is strongest and to strike him where ho is weakest.

Just as the Japanese with naval ascendancy have limits to thestrength they can concentrate in any direction, so are there limits—much greater limits at present — to the means of transporting American forces seven thousand miles across the Pacific. The Americans have not long been recruiting their forces, and it is doubtful if organisation is sufficiently advanced for the despatch of many divisions. Even were the forces ready, there are not enough transports for a very rapid expedition:. American stands in the Pacific have to be garrisoned and held, and it is rather surprising to learn that already so many Americans nave reached the dominions as to be deemed a considerable force. General MacArthur Anil thus have at once to rely for land forces upon Australia and New Zealand. Air and naval r’inforcements, as well as other technical ones are another matter. They will certainly arrive in steadily growing numbers. But Japan is in no position to send to New Zealand as many soldiers .as this country can muster. That is the real reason why these two dominions, if all their fighters .are well mustered and led, will be the limits of Japan’s advance, and the beginning of her defeat.