GENERAL MacARTHUR

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1942, Page 5

GENERAL MacARTHUR

INTERESTING STORY

Behind His Transfer

[Per Press Association.]

•PARLIAMENT BLDGS., March 19. A short statement, intimating that New Zealand had been consulted before General MacArthur’s appointment to the Pacific Command, was made by Rt. Hon. P . Fraser, when the House met to-day at 2.30. He mentioned that President Roosevelt was reported to have described the command as that of “everything this side of Singapore on the sea, in the air and on the land.”

“It is now possible for mo to inform members.” he continued, “that I was personally consulted about the _ appointment by the American Minister to New Zealand, General Hurley, when he arrived in Wellington last month. He told me what Mr Roosevelt had in mind, and that a definite request had been made from White House to General MacArthur to relinquish his command in the Philippines, and to assume the post to which he had been appointed. General Hurley asked me if this would be acceptable to New Zealand, and I assured him that the appointment of so renowned a fighting soldier and so able a commander as General MacArthur would be most enthusiastically welcomed by the Government and the people of New Zealand, and that he could depend on the utmost support from this Dominion. “When the full story of the conduct of the discussions with the heroic defender of the Philippines and his journey to Australia is written,” Mr Fraser concluded, “it will prove one of the most interesting pages in the whole history of the war.”

U.S. Military Comment

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn-J WASHINGTON, March 18. A “Washington Post” editorial states: “The plane which took General MacArthur from the fox holes at Bataan, and landed ■ him in Australia, carried more than a new commander of the United Nations’ forces. It carried a magic name. Our MacArthur by his swords and acts.; has cast himself for a great role as a fighter. In some miraculous manner he has seemed to incorporate in himself the spirit of the offensive for which the United Nations are yearning. That the United offensive is taking shape in Australia is appropriate, for the people of the Antipodes themselves, have been an inspiration to the world that Hitlerism can be crushed only by goipg out to meet it. In the mountain fastnesses of Southern Europe, in the hot deserts of Africa, in far-away places of Asia, the Australians have been m the forefront of the fray. Every battlefield has seemed to them their battlefield, for they realise sooner than most other peoples, outside Europe, the universal and spiritual dimensions of this war.” Military experts cautioned against false optimism in the Pacific. They pointed out that General' MacArthur faces an extremely formidable task, since the odds are still heavy in favour of the enemy, even though the United Nations may be heartened by the arrival of American troops and General MacArthur’s dramatic shift to-Australia. In the best analysis of the situation the authorities go no further than to say that the Japanese will be facing the most fierce campaign of the war, if they attempt to blitz Australia as thej' smashes! Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies. It is expected, however, that the Japanese are ready to risk such a campaign. If General MacArthur is able to hold the island continent until sufficient men and materials are massed for a major offensive, then the United Nations’ forces will still have a costly job ahead, with many reserves expected before ultimate victory. It is pointed out that the strategy which seemed most applicable to the situation goes well with General MacArthur’s military temperament, since it is strategy of dynamic defence, that is, striking out hard and as often as possible against the enemy. It is noted that Australians are ready to put this idea into effect, in air raids on Japanese .footholds in the islands to the north. General MacArthur’s . advantages in the Australian campaign are listed as follows: First, he has more troops and better air strength than in the Philippines. Second, he can organise around defences to a great depth, because of the vast Australian area. Third, he can expect reinforcements, whereas it was impossible to get them to the Philippines, Fourth, he can develop numerous air bases. Fifth, the danger of a Fifth Column does not exist. . ... The disadvantages are: Firsc. the long coastlines. Second, the enormous problem of supplies withm Australia, besides, the extremely long life-line to America. Third, he, faces an enemy who still holds, the initiative and numerical superiority. Experts believe that the Australian campaign will prove one of manoeuvre. It is considered doubtful whether General MacArthur will be able to prevent the establishment of enemy beach-heads .on Australia s lornz and exposed coastline, since a static cordon of defence would reouire an astronomical number o‘ men. It is believed that General MacArthur will meet such threats with counter-punches by hf>ting, mobile ground forces, supported by aerial blows. Fighters and bombers are held in reserve at ent bases, for such emergencies.

SPANISH COMMENT MADRID. March 18. Commenting on General MacArthur’s appointment, the newspaper “A.8.C.” says: It is to be feared that his well-'known prestige may evaporate in Australia, if the wish to disembark on its shores, instead of preferring to surround it by occupying the New Hebrides and New Zealand, and so cutting it off from America.”

JAP BLITZ DISCOUNTED CHUNGKING, March 18. Summing up the present stage as the third and the darkest act in the Far Eastern ' war, Mr T. F. Tsiang. former Chinese Ambassador to Moscow, and now the official Chinese Government spokesman, • said: Though I realise the seriousness of the situation confronting our Australian friends, it is my firm conviction that act three is not going to be a replica of acts one and two. Australia. and New Zealand will fight even more bravely than the Anzacs did. Thev have that iron will that even Field Marshal Ludendorf admired.” Mr Tsiang pointed out that the blitzkrieg cannot work against resolute people in large countries, and he instanced China, Russia and London.