IS MacARTHUR SHELVED

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1943, Page 5

IS MacARTHUR SHELVED

In Favour of Mountbatten ?

GENERAL’S STATEMENT

ENDORSED.

(Rec. 11.15) NEW YORK, Sept. 21. American correspondents interpret General MacArthur’s statement as a virtual admission that he has been shelved, and that his command is being subordinated to Lord Mountbatten’s The New York "Daily News” correspondent in the South Pacific, Mr. Turcott, writes: "General MaoArthur has been side-tracked here since the Bataan campaign. He has tacitlv admitted that his plans for a Pacific victory have been rejected, and he is, apparently, commanding a third rate, unimportant drive against the Japanese.” Tho "New xork Times” correspondent Mr. Kluckhorn comments: In spite of his guarded tone, General MacArthur went about as far as a commander on active service could go in expressing his disapproval of the course of events. Elis statement is considered Io be the strongest Genera 1 MerArlhur has vet made.” Mr. Kluckhorn points out that General Ma’cArthur’s declaration has been made at a time when the reports that Lord Mountbatten will become supreme Allied Commander in the Western Pacific have not been officially -/denied, and when Colonel Knox (Naw Secretary) has hinted that the U.S.A. Navy, under Admiral Nine will run its own show In the Pacific. x , . He adds: One fact stands out—the United States senior experienced combat general. who has not boon called home for a consultation since the war began, is seriously concerned about whet he hears, indirectly, of the Allied strategy in the Pacific, and of its cost m men and in material. Ihus, if. is widely felt here that his statement is more than fust one of his repeated appeals to Washington for a few added sinews of warfare. It involves 'the issue of Pacific strategy. The United Press of America correspondent. Mr. Byrdon Taves, says: General MacArthur’s statement apparently has two purposes. The first is to request a clarification of General MacArthur’s position visa vis Lord Mountbatten. Secondly it aims to defend those s'trafegic theories on’ which General MacArthur has based his conduct of the war. and which, apparently, have been rejected bv London and Washington. ' "General MacArthur is arguing that Australia is the logical base for the offensive acainst Japan. since this ihentm is the only area where the need for iUand.-bopning in its widest sense can be avoided.” Official quarters in Washington have refused to comment on General MacArthur’s statement, pending further information. Senator Ewin Johnson, a member or the Congress Mil'tarv Affairs Committee said: "General MacArthur feels prM’v d n enb/ about the appoint-j-pent of Lord Monni batten to a job which riehtlv. shou lrl he his. lam glad that he is speaking up.”