WAR IN CHINA

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22492, 30 October 1944, Page 5

WAR IN CHINA

AMERICAN COMMAND RECALL OF STILWELL DIFFERENCE WITH CHIANO (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 30, 11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 | A White House announcement says that General J. W. Stilwell has been relieved of his duties in the Far East and recalled to Washington. The former China, Burma and India theatre of American forces, commanded by General Stilwell, will be divided into two theatres under separate commanders. The American forces in the China theatre will be commanded by Major-General A. C. Wedemeyer, who has also been appointed Chief

of Staff to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. General Wedemeyer is Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten’s deputyChief of Staff. The United States forces in Burma and India will be commanded by Lieutenant-General Daniel Sultan, at present deputy-commander in the China, Burma and India theatre. Shortly after the White House announcement the War Department, in a statement, said that, in view of the decision to divide the China, Burma and India theatre into two smaller theatres, General Stilwell had been recalled to Washington and would be given a new and important, but at present undisclosed, assignment. Request by Marshal The United Press reports: “Other sources” say that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek requested General Stilwell’s withdrawal as a result of longstanding differences of opinion on basic concepts of command matters, and also on how the Far East war should be conducted.

The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says it is reported from Chungking that Briga-dier-General Benjamin Ferris, deputy-Chief of Staff in China, is also returning to the United States. He was formerly liaison officer for General Stilwell with the British authorities in New Delhi. His impending return is regarded as confirmation of reports that General Stilwell disagreed with the British as well as the Chinese over strategy and other military matters. General Sfilwell’s recall is generally regarded as a reflection of the unhappy state of the war in China. The Associated Press correspondent in New York says a high Chinese Government official revealed that General Stilwell was removed at Marshal Chiang’s request after Madame Chiang’s departure from China two months ago. Madame Chiang, according to this report, prevented General Stilwell and Marshal Chiang from actually fighting each other, and provided the only link between the men, who refused to write or speak to each other. At Swords’ Point They had been at swords’ points since the battle for the Burma Road. Marshal Chiang, whose forces were at the northern end of the road, wanted to defend only that sector rather than the entire road, because of his limited resources. He therefore requested General Stilwell to remain with him. However, General Stilwell disagreed and advanced toward Burma, to attempt to protect the southern approach to the Burma Road. This action resulted in failure. General Stilwell was forced to retreat and the Burma Road was lost. Thereafter the two generals were unable to agree, and attempted to fight the war by themselves. A British official wireless message says that Brigadier Irwin, chief staff officer to the commander of the British Fourteenth Army in Burma, General Slim, recently arrived in London for consultations. In an interview, Brigadier Irwin stressed the close co-operation .and excellent relations existing between General Slim and General Stilwell. As an example, he said that once a signal was sent to General Stilwell to clear up any doubt about the boundary between the Chinese forces and the British and Indian forces. Back came the reply agreeing to the suggestion, and General Stilwell- added: “Without quibbling about boundaries you and I fight and defeat the Nips wherever we find them.”