PACIFIC COMMAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24251, 17 April 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC COMMAND

DISPELLING DOUBTS GENERAL MacARTHUR'S POST FURTHER STATEMENT SHORTLY (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) CANBERRA, April 16 The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, made further reference to his announcement that there was not the slightest doubt in his mind that General Mac Arthur was in supreme command of the Allied militax-y, naval and air forces in the South-west Pacific. Mr. Curtin recalled a letter he had received from General George H. Brett on March 17—General Brett at that time was in command of the United States armed forces in Australia —which read: "Should it accord with your wishes and the wishes of the Australian people, President Roosevelt suggests that it would be highly acceptable to him and pleasing to the American people to nominate General Mac Arthur as supreme com-

mander of all the Allied forces in the South-west Pacific area." Mr. Curtin added that the nomination was eminently acceptable and all subsequent arrangements had proceeded on the assumption that General Mac Arthur had accepted the supreme command. A Washington message says that, when asked to comment on the confusion concerning General Mac Arthur's command, as evidenced in reports from Australia to-day that an official, spokesman at General Mac Arthur's headquarters had declared that the Allied command had not yet been effected, President Roosevelt's secretary, Mr. Stephen Early, said: "General MacArthur has complete communications with the War Secretary and the Chief of Staff. Whatever doubts there are could be quickly clarified by the appropriate officials." At the War Department an inquiry brought the response that an official statement would be issued in the next few days outlining the command in the Pacific and the South-west Pacific. COMPLETE AGREEMENT DOMINIONS AND AMERICA MR. NASH'S ASSURANCE (Reed. 7.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON. April 15 Questioned by reporters after a meeting of the Pacific War Council as to whether the difficulties relating to General Mac Arthur's command had been ironed out, the Australian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. H. V. Evatt, replied that they were ironed out long ago. He said General MacArthur's jurisdiction was settled in the course of a few hours between the Australian and American Governments. Dr. Evatt added emphatically that the suggestion that there was any trouble or hitch beL./een the Australian and American Governments had no foundation. The New Zealand Minister to Washington, the Hon. W. Nash, told reporters that the problem of General Mac Arthur's jurisdiction had been adjusted between New Zealand and the United States. "We are alMn complete agreement, Australia, New Zealand and the United States," he said. The New York Daily News, commenting editorially, discussing Mac Arthur's position, says: "We believe the war effort could best be served if the President would call off the uncertainty surrounding General Mac Arthur in the South-west Pacific by calling General Mac Arthur to Washington and making him Secretary of War." VAST AIR FLEETS PROMISE FOE FUTURE AUSTRALIA AS BASE LONDON, April 16 Early news of the successful attacks on the Japanese in the Philippines by American bombers from Australia is given under big headlines in to-day's London newspapers. A Canberra message says that Australian Ministers regard the attacks as an indication of the offensive spirit against Japan. Mr. J. A. Beasley, Commonwealth Supply Minister, describes it as the first drive into the heart of the military system which Japan is seeking to establish in the Pacific. He said that in time these bombers would be followed by vast air fleets. "They , have shown how Australia can be used' as the base from which Japanese aggression can be overthrown," he added. Mr. F. M. Forde, Australian Army Minister, said the attacks indicated what could be expected. Australia looked for the co-operation of the Australian and American Air Forces in driving back the enemy, should he attempt invasion. RAIDERS OVER ENGLAND SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED (Reed. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 15 At least seven people _ were killed when night raiders heavily bombed a north-east coastal town. Several houses in a working-class area were demolished and many others badly damaged. BONDS FOR BATTLESHIPS (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 15 The United Automobile Workers' Union telegraphed the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Henry Morgenthau, that union members had completed the purchase of 50,000,000 dollars worth of war bonds for the replacement of the battleship Arizona. The message added that the union had now embarked on a second drive for another 60,000,000 dollars. MORE SUBMARINES (Reed. 5,5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 15 The House of Representatives Naval Committee increased Mr. Carl Vinson's proposal to build 170,000 tons of submarines to 200,000 tons and-gaye-awift legislative approval. J