GENERAL AND POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 24889, 31 October 1942, Page 5

GENERAL AND POLITICS

(Rec. 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 29. Discussing General MacArthur’s disclaimer of political ambitions The New York Times reports that the General became concerned about the possible effects of his military effectiveness when the Presidential chatter started. “Some months ago an Army officer, a very important legal figure in private life, returned from Australia bearing word from the General that he was not, and would not, be a candidate for the Presidency, states The Times. “He asked only for the fullest possible scope as a soldier. The messenger delivered the tidings to Mr Roosevelt, Mr Stimson and others. Later he told friends that he was roundly lectured at White House and the War Department for carrying a message about politics.

“Furthermore severe criticism was expressed against General MacArthur for sending such a message. While the political section of the Government is expressing this form of displeasure the military section has also produced critics who deprecated General MacArthur’s communiques as unsoldierly and flamboyant, analysed unfavourably his military dispositions at the Battle of Zatan. It is perfectly possible for those accused of a political grudge against General MacArthur to produce professional soldiers who believe he should not have the command. The paramount importance of Mr Stimson’s denial that the Solomons is a Navy show indicates that General MacArthur’s political disclaimer has not wholly corrected his relation with Washington.”