SUPREME COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1942, Page 4

SUPREME COMMAND

IN SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC

GENERAL MACARTHUR’S POSITION.

REPORTED UNCERTAINTIES. IN AUSTRALIA.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA. April 15. The fact that General MacArthur has not yet received official notification of his appointment as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the South-western Pacific has created a delicate situation in official circles here.

Exactly how the issue arose has not been disclosed, but it has become a topic of conversation in newspaper and radio quarters, which are giving prominence to a declaration made today by the United States Army spokesman at a Press conference, to this effect: “General MacArthur is at present in command of the United States armed forces in the Far East, as. he has been since July. His general headquarters have been removed from the Philippines to Australia. That is the only physical change. An Allied command has not yet been effected. Discussions are taking place in Washington and no decisions or directions have yet been received here.” The “Sydney Sun” says there had been no doubt in the mind of the American public and very little in the mind of the Australian public and the Press that General MacArthur had assumed supreme command. In the meantime, the Australian Government has gone ahead with major army changes which were assumed to have been approved by him as supreme commander. The appointment of General Blarney was announced during this period as Commander-in-Chief of the Allied land forces in Australia. *

Questioned on this aspect, the United States Army spokesman said: “General MacArthur has been in close contact with the Australian Army and Government officials, and has received the closest co-operation. They have been making all possible plans pending General MacArthur’s official assumption of the command.” Correspondents are of the opinion following today’s revelations that General MacArthur has been operating by periodic advices and consultations. They are asking what would happen if Australia were invaded tomorrow and whether General MacArthur would be able to act summarily and order the disposition of all forces, or whether he would be compelled to consult the Australian service chiefs. HIGHLY ACCEPTABLE GENERAL MACARTHUR’S APPOINTMENT. DECLARATION BY FEDERAL PREMIER. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. The Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, officially announced last night that there was not the slightest doubt in his mind that General MacArthur was in supreme command of the Allied military, naval and air forces in the South-West Pacific. Mr Curtin recalled that President Roosevelt had suggested that it would be highly acceptable to him and pleasing to the American people to nominate General MacArthur as the supreme commander of all the Allied forces in the South-West Pacific area. The Prime Minister added that the nomination viras eminently acceptable and all subsequent arrangements had gone on on the assumption that General MacArthur had accepted the supreme command. Mr Curtin also stated that cablegrams between the Australian Government and Dr. Evatt in Washington had made it clear that the Commonwealth fully approved of General MacArthur’s supreme command.