MacArthur Would Accept Presidency

Chronicle (Levin), 10 March 1948, Page 5

MacArthur Would Accept Presidency

Received Tuesday, 9.35 p.m. , • WASHINGTON, March 8. Oeneral iMgeArthur said today he would aecept the Presidency "if called by the American people," but would not aetively seek . it, says the Associated Press. 's Tokio correspondent. Until his pubiic statement today, .Oeneiral AlacArthur had not committed himself on hks politieal intentions. Reeeiitly Hearst newspapers- all" over the Unifed Staie8' liad been "bdoming'" hiirf' for nomitiatioh as the Republiean candidate for fhf Pi'esideney. It is assumed if he is nomiwated that ih.will be as a Repiiblican. His announeement is regarded in Tokio' * as ' the "go ahead sigmal"- for a MacArthur ';campaign in the United States which hhherto has beep 'given ho direct.'encouragement • .by the 0 enefhl himsel f. - - The announeement did'nof sitrpfdse eireles close .to McArthur who had':bebn expe6fbd fo' c'lhihfy tlie "issue for ' "some weeks. ' A high American official said MacArthur for a loncg- time; has eonsid-ei-ed the military part of the Japanese oeeupatibii'cdmplete, and in j Uiis New Year statement fo the Japanese people he told them that j the Tutu ro c^evolopmont of the count-ry waslargely in .their hands. j Air. Lansing Hoyt, national ehairman oi' the MacArthur for | PresideMt Flubs, said: "We are proud to be able to present to the I American people reg&rdless of party the oue American who if | elected Presidfnt will stop Uommunism in its traeks."