EAST ASIA COMMANDER

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1943, Page 5

EAST ASIA COMMANDER

STILWELL LIKELY MacArthur’s Task ' JAPAN’S WAITING GAME. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Rec. 11.10.) NEW YORK, June 21. In the opinion of a majority of American war commentatore, Lieut.General MacArthur, is likely to be appointed as head of the new East Asia Command to direct a United Nations’ offensive against J'apan. Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek and the British Eighth Army Commander, General Montgomery, have also been mentioned for the post. The new command will relieve the Commander-in-Chief of India, General Auchinleck, of responsibility for the conduct of the war against Japan in the India-Burma-China area. It is pointed out that General Stilwell came recently to America, and was there throughout Mr Churchill’s visit. He subsequently visited London. General MacArthur has not been in close personal touch with Allied leaders recently. General Stilwell is reported to have a happy personal relationship ?with General Aucifiinleck, who would be an important assistant to the Allied General, who is given the task of planning an eventual offensive against the Japanese through Burma. The New York “Daily News” columnist, Mr Jd.hn O’Donnell; sayis: “It is the sound belief in Washington that “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell will take over the East Asia Command. His authority would be such as that which General MacArthur has in the Southern Pacific. The report that General MacArthur’s command will be enlarged to embrace the East Asia theatre of operations is doubted.

Mr O’Donnell adds: “Japan is supposed to be feinting, until Tokio makes up its mind whether a supreme German effort can knock out Russia. If the Russians are brought to their knees, then J’apan, is expected to leap against Siberia. If Russia holds, General MacArthur will continue to face the full strength of Japan’s forces, which now are massed between him and the Philippines.