Change of Policy in Pacific

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 5

Change of Policy in Pacific

NEW YORK, Oct. 27. Until last week-end American policy in the entire Pacific area was dominated by a “beat Hitler first” attitude and an endeavour to maintain tlie defensive position on the Australian and New Zealand front, but Admiral Halsey’s appointment suggests a new turn in the high policy of putting greater emphasis on aggressive operations in the South-West Pacific, says the Christian Science Monitor s Washington correspondent. He adds that the situation down under has been shaping up to a change of policy and a cliange of personnel. It was unfortunate that much criticism of operations In that area preceded Admiral Ghormley’s removal. He did what he was supposed to do—he kept aloof from General MacArthur and opened a campaign with a limited objective in the Solomons, but limited objectives in the Pacific obviously give Japan what she wants most —ample opportunity to consolidate her territorial gains. The rigid demarcation line between General MacArthur sat quietly on the side lines doing mand was an embarrassment to everyone. Dissatisfaction with progress in the Solomons had become so great that Washington opinion veered somewhat alvay from the strong anti-MacArthur bias. Political Washington was largely responsible for the establishment of two separate commands in the Pacific, partly because of jealousy of General MacArthur’s popularity and partly because the conservative opposition launched a “MacArthur for President” campaign. Now the means taken to cut down General MacArthur have backfired. The navy, which insisted on independence from General MacArthur subjected itself to heavy criticism while General MacArthlr sat quietly on the side lines doing what was possible to lend the Solomons air support, but he was unable to lend other support because he had never been given the necessary shipping. It is even asked in Washington whether it was not a mistake to move in the Solomons instead of first cleaning up New Guinea. The importance of the issue serves to place in the highlight the lack of a unified command in the Pacific. General MacArthur came to’ Australia with the promise that he would be supreme commander of the entire Australia-New Zealand area, but it was finally whittled down to Australia. A separate naval command of New Zealand was established over the protest of the New Zealand Government which had always planned defence in close harmony with Australia. Admiral Halsey may have among his instructions to open negotiations toward the eventual establishment of formal “diplomatic relations” with General MacArthur.