GHORMLEY’S RECALL

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 27, 27 October 1942, Page 5

GHORMLEY’S RECALL

Regarded As Admission Of Costly Errors (Received October 26, 10.15 p.m.) NEW I'ORK, October 25. Vice-Admiral Halsey’s replacement of Vice-Admiral Ghormley is a clear admission of costly and inexcusable errors made in the prosecution of the war, says the New York ‘"Daily Mirror,” in an editorial. “The Japanese outsmarted, outmanoeuvred and outgunned our naval forces, notably 'by the sinkings of the Canberra, Quincy, Vincennes and Astoria in a sudden audacious attack. Apparently the end of these great ships was without glory for the navy high command. “There are reports passed by the censorship that all our losses have not yet been announced. Additionally, there are disquieting reports, from competent sources of interservice friction. In replacing Admiral Ghormley, the navy apparently acted on the wise principle that blame for the mistakes must be fixed and that those ' responsible must be removed, but it is questionable whether Admiral Ghormley’s removal alone can compose all our difficulties in the Pacific. “The root of the difficulties lies in the lack of unity of command. We might learn a lesson from the Japanese, who have a single commander in the entire a “Admiral Halsey is a resourceful, aggressive leader who may be expected to enforce stricter tactical measures and tighter organization,” declares the “Times,” “but whether he can reverse the course of. events is dependent on how fully he is supported. He must have the necessary ships, planes and troops to drive the enemy back.” PACIFIC THEATRE Allied Resources Seen As Still Insufficient SYDNEY, October 26. Though defence preparations had improved enormously in the last seven months, the resources of the United Nations devoted to the Pacific fronts were still far less than were desired and deserved, declared the Australian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt. One of the greatest tasks of the Commonwealth Government, he said, had been to obtain proper assessment of the importance of the Pacific theatre in the world war. In some powerful quarters of the United States the strength of Japan had been grievously under-estimated, even after that country .had begun to occupy great segments of its new economic empire in south-east Asia and the Pacific. "Throughout my mission to the United States and Britain I sought to combat these deadly fallacies,” said Dr. Evatt, “not merely because they endangered Australia, but also because they jeopardized victory for all the United Nations over the Axis Powers. “All these fallacies were collected in the curious and dangerous slogan ‘Beat Hitler First.’ “Early this year the Australian Government was criticized for being too Pacific-minded You might as well criticize the Russians for being too anti-Hitler or the British for being .too Channelminded. , “Australia was not putting forward these contentions on selfish grounds. Her fighting men are on almost every front. They have earned for Australia the right to insist that their homeland will not be subjected to the vile and unspeakable disgrace of a Japanese invasion.” Commenting on America’s changing view of the Pacific front, Dr. Evatt. said it was important to observe that military experts like Hanson Baldwin were now appreciating facts which they were slow to appreciate even three months ago.