CAUTION URGED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 67, 20 March 1942, Page 5

CAUTION URGED

JOB FOR MACARTHUR FORMIDABLE TASK FACED FALSE OPTIMISM DANGER .By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) Washington, Marcn id. Military experts Here cautioned against raise optimism in the Pacific ana pointed out that General MacArtnur faces an extremely formidable task since liie odds are still heavily in favour of the enemy, even thougn the United Nations may be heartened by tlie arrival of American troops ana General MacArthur’s dramatic shift to Australia. In the best analysis ol the situation the authorities go no iurtner than to say the Japanese are lacing the most fierce campaign ol tne war il an attempt is maae to blitz Australia as smashed Malaya and the Netnenanus Bast Indies, it is expected, however, that the Japanese are ready to risk sucn a campaign. If General MacArthur is aole io hold the island continent until sufficient men and material are massed lor a major offensive, then the United Nations' forces still have a costly job ahead with many reverses that may be expected beiore ultimate victory, ft is pointed out that the strategy which seems most applicable to the situation goes well wim General MacArthur's military temperament since it ;s a strategy of dynamic defence that is striking out as hard and often as possible against the enemy. It is noted that the Australians are ready to put this idea into effect in their air raids on Japanese footholds in the islands to the north. General MacArthur's advantages in the Australian campaign are listed as follows: First, he has more troops and better air strength than in the Philippines. Second, he can organise his ground defences to a great depth because of the vast Australian area. Third, he can expect reinforcements, whereas it was Impossible to get them to the Philippines. Fourth, he can develop numerous air bases. Fifth, the danger of fifth column does not exist. The disadvantages are:— First, long coastlines. Second, the enormous problem of supplies within Australia besides an extremely long life-line to America. Third, he faces an enemy who still holds the initiative ana numerical superiority. Experts believe the Australian campaign will prove one of manoeuvre, and it is considered doubtful whether General MacArthur will be able to prevent the establishment of enemy beach-heads on Australia’s long and exposed coastline since a static cordon of defence would require an < astronomical number of men. It is believed General MacArthur will meet such threats with counter punches by hard-hitting mobile ground forces supported by aerial blows with fighters and bombers held in reserve al salient bases for such emergencies. SPANISH-FASCIST GIBE Madrid, March 18. Commenting on General MacArthur’s appointment, the Fascist newspaper A.B.C. says: “It is to be feared that his well-known prestige may evaporate in Australia if the Japanese wish to disembark or. its shores instead of preferring to surround it by occupying the New Hebrides and New Zealand and so cutting it off from America.” INSPIRATION TO WORLD ROLE OF AUSTRALIANS , Washington, March 18. The Washington Post, in an editorial says: “The plane which took General MacArthur from the foxholes of Batan and landed him in Australia carried more than the new commander of the United Nations’ forces. It carried a magic name. Our MacArthur, by his swords and acts, has cast himself for a great role as

a fighter. In some miraculous manner he has seemed to incoroparte in himself the spirit of the offensive for which the United Nations are yearning. That a united offensive is taking shape in Australia is appropriate, for the people ol the Antipodes have themselves been an inspiration to the world that Hitlerism can be crushed only by going out to meet ln the mountain fastnesses of Southern Europe, in the hot deserts of Africa, in far-away places of Asia, Australians have been in the forefront of the fray. Every battlefield has seemed to them their battlefield, for they realise, sooner than most other peoples outside Europe the universal and soiritual dimensions of this war.” NEW ZEALAND CONSULTED MACARTHUR’S APPOINTMENT (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., March 19. A short statement intimating that New Zealand had been consulted before General MacArthur’s appointment to the Pacific Command was made by Mr. Fraser when the House of Representatives met to-day at 2.30 p.m. He mentioned that Mr. Roosevelt was reported to have described the command as that of everything this side of Singapore, on sea, in the air and on land. “It is now possible for me to inform members that I was personally consulted about the appointment by the American Minister to New Zealand, Mr. P. J. Hurley, when he arrived in Wellington last month,” said Mr. Fraser. “He told me what Mr Roosevelt had in mind, and that a definite request had been made from the White House to General MacArthur to relinquish his command in the Philippines and to assume the post to whicn he had been appointed. Mr. Hurley asked me if this would be acceptable to New Zealand, and I assured him tne appointment of so renowned a fighting soldier and able commander as General MacArthur would be most enthusiastically welcomed by the Government and people of New Zealand, and that he could depend on the utmost support from |hia Dominion. “When the full story of the conduct of the discussions with the heroic defender of the Philippines and his journey to Australia is written,” Mr. Fraser concluded, “it will prove one of the most interesting pages in j the whole history of the war.”