SENSATION CAUSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 17 April 1944, Page 2

SENSATION CAUSED

PUBLICATION OF MAC ARTHUR’S LETTER New York. April 14. j The publication ol th e corresponI dence between Mr Miller and General MacArthur has caused a political j sensation. The comments by Genieral MacArthur are described by the “New York Times” as ‘‘neither wise ! nor proper.” The “New York Post’s” ' Washington correspondent says that in view of the length to which General MacArthur was prepared to go i in his implied criticism of President Roosevelt the capital is awaiting with I unconcealed anticipation for General 1 MacArthur’s reaction to the primI aries, and while the War Departi ment maintains rigid silence about 1 the newest evidence of its prima donna general’s kicking over the traces, | there is almost as much speculation 1 about the probable results of his open insurgency against his Com- | mander -in-Chief. I No one less than the President ' can be expected to step into that J situation. However. Mr Roosevelt | probably will suppress any irritation !he may feel over General MacI Arthur’s obvious political ambitions. The “New York Sun” says that ! General MacArthur is a good general, ! but his correspondence with Mr Mil- ; ler demonstrates that as a politician jhe belongs somewhere near the foot lof the class, or maybe he has been I indiscreet in his choice of friends.

Mr Miller has done General MacArthur more harm than his worst j enemy could do. He has placed the I general in the position of a critic : who not only complains of the administration of his own commanding ' officer but also seeks to supplant him. U.S. TRESS COMMENT New Y’ork. April 15. | Representative Miller revealed that j he has written another letter to Genei ral MacArthur urging him to tell the American people whether he is available for presidential nomination, says the Washington correspondent of the United Press of America. Represents tive Miller previously advised General MacArthur not to seek nomination but permit himself to be drafted. However, Representative Miller has changed his stand because it is getting close to convention time and delegates and people would know whether General MacArthur is available.

The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times” says: “Miller has had only the most casual contact with General MacArthur and published correspondence without consulting the general.” “To invest any general now command ing American armies anywhere in the world with qualifications for the presidency requires an act of sheer faith or to put it more bluntly, wishful i thinking.” says the New York “Herald- | Tribune” in an editorial. "It is a danjgerous form of phantasy because it in- ! troduces political complications where i they may be most fatal—on the battle- • front, because it might exchange a useI ful officer for a bad president, and bci cause it might create in this country i that friction between military and j civil authorities which has been the j bane of many European and South ! American countries. Quite apart from [General MacArthur s unknown views |on domestic or foreign affairs or the < prospect of his candidacy. Those proI moling his candidacy arc doing a disI service to him and the country.”