WORK IN EARNEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 98, 25 March 1942, Page 6

WORK IN EARNEST

GENERAL MACARTHUR ACTIVE. (Rec. ti. 'J p.m.) SYDNEY, Mar. 25. Now that the excitement caused by General MacArthur’s dramatic appearance lias passed, Australia will see and hear of him as an active leader of the Allied Forces. He has begun work in earnest and issued instructions to his general staff that nothing must interfere with the quick organisation of his army. liis officers are working on it with him day and night. It is expected that General MacArtbur’s plans will be advanced considerably after he has conferred with tlie Australian War Cabinet this week. General MacArtliur and staff jettisoned, their arms and equipment at the island rendezvous in their dash to Australia from Buouac Peninsula, says the Daily Telegraph’s Melbourne correspondent. They waited three. days for three Flying Fortresses from Australia and then only two came. 11l order to cram the 21 members of the General’s party into the two planes, all the baggage and equipment had to lx; left. During the three days and three nights tho party were on the island, enemy planes were only a halt hour’s flying away, but they failed to detect the party’s presence. SUPPLIES FROM UNITED STATES. A ’Washington cablegram says Dr. Evatt’s activities indicated that big supply questions were being discussed with American officials. Alter seeing Mr H.. L. Stimson and Colonel Knox, Dr. Evatt went to the White House for a long consultation with the Lease-or-Lend Director (Mr Harry Hopkins). It is noteworthy that Mr Hopkins is the key man in the handling and delivering of military supplies, while the approval of Colonel Knox and Mr Stimson would probably be required before Mr Hopkins could act in connection with such large quantities as are involved in supplying the United Nations’ base in Australia. Dr. Evatt is known to be well pleased with the results of his efforts so far, which is taken as a further indication of the progress of the supply questions.