UNDER "FIRE"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 120, 23 May 1942, Page 6

UNDER "FIRE"

U.S. ADMIRAL

"HERE TO WIN WAR!"

Thirteen pressmen, five of whom "shot" with flash-bulb cameras, while the remainder fired volleys of questions, did not upset the cheerful equilibrium of Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Unite*? Nations Commander of the South Pacific Area, at a conference for New Zealand and overseas newspaper representatives in Auckland late yesterday afternoon.

The admiral greeted everyone with a smile, inquiring the name of the newspaper represented, and in every case extended a warm handshake, looking his man squarely in the eyes. His own had a merry twinkle, and it was obvious at the outset that he had a quick foil of humour for any awkward question.

"Why, I do not care for publicity!" he laughed, disarmingly. "We are here to win this war!" was his rejoinder when an American pressman, representing one of the big agencies, made the allegation that, so far. the admiral had been given only "half an inch of publicity" in the New Zealand Press.

While Cameras Clicked When it came to a question of taking photographs while the interview was proceeding, Admiral Ghormley acquiesced at once, but made one stipulation—"Don't photograph me sitting with the King of England standing behind—l might get into trouble!"

With this he looked round, as though fearing that a picture of His Majesty might be cn the wall behind. He then related an English story concerning a photographer who had snapped the Queen, while His Majesty, unconscious erf the fact that the picture was being taken, was sitting in the background. And the Queen was standing! This got a laugh—and the photographers flashed as the admiral s strong face was wreathed in smiles.

A quietly-spoken preamble prefaced the barrage of questions prepared by the pressmen. "I have not had a great deal of experience with the Press. You are men who want facts, but I have no news," he said, and smiled.

"Not very long ago I left England," he went on, "and I have had to make my way out here. It takes a long time, and it's a long trip from Washington. So I have not much news— if any." And again he paused.

"I do not think it is of any value saying something that is not really news. From time to time I may have news to tell you. but at the nioment I do not know of anything that I can say. I have only a small proportion of my staff with me, because of transportation difficulties."

"I Will Say What I Can"

Admiral Ghormley said that as time went on other members of his staff would be arriving. "Until I get my staff and organisation together I do not want to sav anything of what that organisation may be. My policy will be that I will say what I can to the Press, from time to time."

There was a little pause. Then he added, impressively: "But anything that will be of any help or comfort to the enemy I shall say at no time!" "I have met some of your local representatives in England, and have had personal relations with them, and I know it is of no use giving you a story if there is no news in it at all."

The admiral then sat down, waving towards a box of cigarettes on the table. He indicated that he did not want any questions relating to his command. This could not be discussed at this juncture. He must have time to meet the War Cabinet and the Service chiefs.

How Safe Are We?

A number of questions concerning censorship were asked, and careful answers were given in each case. Admiral Ghormley reminded his questioners that, he had been in the country only a short time and had not enjoyed the opportunity of studying local censorship requirements.

Mr. Merrill ("Red") Mueller, wellknown foreign correspondent for International News, U.S.A., said the censorship regulations were much more strict in New Zealand than in U.S.A. He asked if it would be sufficient that the admiral himself approved of news cables filed in New Zealand for transmission abroad.

This made the admiral lausrh. "I'd be taking on a big job of work there—my whole staff would have to be in the team to handle it," he remarked, shaking his head dubiously.

"How do you think things are can you say anything about the probable next move of the Japanese?" asked Mr. Mueller, following it with a further quick question: "How safe do you consider New Zealand to be?

But the admiral was not to be caught. He turned slowly and smiled at the correspondent, made a little steeple with his forefingers and clasped hands.

Going to Wellington "Well, now." he drawled. "I'm not going to be an expert on something people have been thinking about for a long time ... I'll know more soon 1 expect to be going down to Wellington early next week—or as soon as I can. And that was that.

"Time is a serious consideration— indeed, the time element is the most serious consideration in war" he added.

Admiral Ghormley declined to be drawn on any questions relating to his command, or the definition of boundaries He had yet to talk to the chiefs of staff. There were doubtless good reasons why certain inlormation had not been released.

T ol i e P° int he was emphatic, j J ot yet assumed comthe South Pacific area." he a lo "d tone, when questioned wl loin v! That is definite." He said he did not want to get into questions relating to the services which he might command.

Easy Style With the Press That was the end of the conference. Admiral Ghormley promised to Prepare a brief message of greeting to the people of New his visitors filed out, again with a most friendly handshake

to» n He handled ,hem 'iWftS

They wera made to feel at k l3l s iJ ch , cards as the admiral had been dealt at this earlv st a #i were on the table. His easv eheerful ness and the assurance given ear l in. the conference that liter on he might have some real news made everyone confident that here' w^sa undue° announced. would be