MACARTHUR COMMAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 232, 1 October 1943, Page 5

MACARTHUR COMMAND

NO CHANGE YET MADE Canberra, Sept. 29. “I am unaware of any change in the status or authority of the command of General MacArthur, and no change could he made without the Australian Government’s agreement.” This statement was made in the House ot Representatives by Mr. J. Curtin. “The set-up in the South-west Pacific area and the boundaries of this region were the subject of agreement between Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands, and could not be varied without the consent of the parties to the agreement,” he said. “The appointment of Lord Mountbatten does not impinge in any wayon General MacArthur’s command in the South-west Pacific, or subordinate the South-west Pacific to tne Southeast Asia command. “The eastern boundary of Lord Mountbatten’s command is the western boundary of General MacArthur’s command. Lord Mountbatten was appointed by Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt. This is their right and privilege, as they are supplying the forces for the South-east Asia region. The closest co-operation exists in matters of higher policy between Mr. Churchill. President Roosevelt* and the Australian Government and between General MacArthur and myself.”