Late News

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 30, 30 October 1942, Page 6

Late News

TRIBUTE PAID TO AUSTRALIA Statement Issued By Gen. MacArthur REPLY TO CRITICISM (By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received October 29, .11-55 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 29. , ' A striking tribute to Australia’s .war effort was paid today by General MacArthur. He emphatically denied the American charge that political differences. are affecting Australia’s fighting power. He dedeclared' he had no wish to run for the presidency of the United States, saying: “I started as a soldier and I shall finish as one.” General MacArthur’s . statement reads: —

‘•No nation in the world is making a more supreme war effort than Australia. It is rapidly gearing to full capacity. Its resources are relatively meagre, but it is using them to the utmost. Its effort is universal and embraces equally all classes and all parties. It has unanimously and complete! v supported me in my military command, and the harmony and cooperation between the Australians and Americans in this area are inspirational.

“Such internal party differences as exist are largely based upon the desire of one group or other to accelerate rather than retard the war potential. I am deeply grateful for their magnificent spirit of friendship and understanding, without which-it would have been difficult to go on. Retire After War.

“I have noted a statement from the ‘Christian Science Monitor’s’ Washington correspondent that Washington was largely responsible for the establishment of two separate commands in tha Pacific, partly because of the Con-servative-opposition which launched a ‘MacArthur for President’ campaign. “I have no political ambitions whatsoever. Any suggestion to the contrary must be regarded’ as merely an amiable gesture of goodwill, dictated by friendship. I started as a soldier and I.shall finish-as one.. The only hope and ambition I have, in this world is for victory for our cause in the war. If I survive the campaign I shall return to that retirement from which this great struggle called me.” Criticism of Minority.

The Sydney “Sun” comments that, "Though General MacArtht® did not mention Hanson Baldwin by name, his statement is a complete answer to Mr. Baldwin's criticism of this country.” The paper adds, however, that there is a minority “whose conduct is an outrage to their fellow citizens. Miners throw a mine idle because a wheeler's trousers are stolen. Profiteering and black markets continue in a mean struggle for personal advantage out of the national extremity. Politicians still squabble. It is time that every Australian realized his country’s danger, forgot his petty problems, and pulled his full weight.” CAUTIOUS VIEW Interpretation Of Latest Solomons Report (Received October 29, 11.55 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 28. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that officials here are encouraged by the comparatively .high Japanese casualties in the land fighting on Guadalcanal, but the navy spokesman cautioned over optimistic interpretations of the communique, pointing out that it does not indicate a Japanese withdrawal from any of their strategic sites, but the Japanese defeat simply means that a lull has occurred in the fighting. The spokesman did not explain the communique’s omission of reports covering'fighting in the/last four, days, but insisted that communications with Guadalcanal remain open, and that the paucity of news indicated that the Japanese on Guadalcanal and supporting bases such as Russell Island had slowed down the attack, awaiting news from the sea. It has been repeatedly emphasized that the battle on Guadalcanal probably will not be decisive. The ultimate fate of the island is'i expected to rest on the outcome of the present sea and air war of manoeuvres by the Japanese and American naval forces.