JOB FOR GENERAL MACARTHUR

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 29, 29 October 1942, Page 6

JOB FOR GENERAL MACARTHUR

Part In A Coming U.S. Offensive CLAIMED NEW POLICY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, October 27. ‘‘Last weekend American policy in the entire Pacific area was dominated by the ‘beat Hitler first’ attitude and the endeavour to maintain a defensive position on the' Australian-New Zealand front, but Vice-Admiral Halsey’s appointment suggests a new turn in high policy, putting greater emphasis on aggressive operations in the Southwest Pacific, says the ‘‘Christian Science Monitor’s” Washington correspondent. ‘‘The situation ‘down under’ has 'been shaping up to a change of policy, and change of personnel. It is unfortunate that much criticism of the operations in that area preceded ViceAdmiral Ghorraley’s removal. He did what he was supposed to do; he kept aloof from General MacArthur and opened a campaign with a limited objective in the Solomons. “But limited objectives in the Pacific obviously give Japan what she wants most —ample opportunity to consolidate her territorial gains. The rigid demarcation line between General MacArthur’s and Admiral Ghormley’s commands is an embarrassment to everyone. Dissatisfaction with the progress in the Solomons has become so great that Washington opinion has veered somewhat away from its strong anti-MacArthur bias. Jealousy and Politics. “Political Washington was largely responsible for the establishment of two separate commands in the Pacific, partly 'because of jealously of General MacArthur’s popularity, partly because the conservative opposition launched a ‘MacArthur for President’ campaign. Now the means takeu to cut down General MacArthur have back-fired.

“The navy, which insisted on independence from General MacArthur, has subjected itself to heavy criticism while General MacArthur sat quietly on the sideline doing what was possible to lend the Solomons air support, but unable to lend other support because he was never given the necessary shipping. “It is even asked in 'Washington whether it was not a mistake to move into the Solomons instead of first cleaning up New Guinea. “The importance of the issue serves to highlight the lack of a unified command in the Pacific. General MacArthur wont to Australia with the promise that, he would be supreme commander in the entire AustraliaNew Zealand area, but his command was finally whittled down to Australia. “A separate naval command including New Zealand was established over the protest of the New Zealand Government, which has always planned its defence in close harmony with Australia. “Vice-Admiral Halsey may have among his instructions to open negotiations toward the eventual establishment of formal' ‘diplomatic relations' with General MacArthur.”