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Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1942, Page 3

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ENTRUSTED TO GENERAL MACARTHUR IN SOUTH-WESTERN PACIFIC. STATEMENT BY MR STIMSON. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Dav, 10.20 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 17. The Secretary for War, Mr H. L. Stimson, at a press conference said General MacArthur is in complete charge of the strategic direction of the United Nations’ war effort in the South-West Pacific and of the practical co-ordination of the campaign in that area. Mr Stimson said General MacArthur’s authority had been fully agreed to by the Australians and Dutch and the agreement was embodied in a formal directive signed on April 3. He added: “I think I can assure you now that, so far as the Army is concerned, we are getting pretty near the stage of being ready for an offensive, however difficult it may be.” ’ Mr Stimson said he had an overwhelming confidence in the morale of the young. GENERAL MACARTHUR AREA OF UNITED COMMAND. NEW YORK, April IC. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that General MacArthur is being informed regarding the area of his United Nations Command and his authority over the forces of other nations in the Southwestern Pacific. , / These should reach him either today or tomorrow. ANOTHER LANDING MADE BY JAPANESE IN PHILIPPINES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April IG. . A Washington communique states that Japanese forces in the Philippines landed early today in Panay Island, at a point near Capiz. They came ashore from eight transports, protected by the fire of naval vessels and air attacks. The forces in Panay are in contact with the enemy, but no dethils of the fighting are yet available. Panay, a mountainous island, is in the central Philippines, and has a population of 775,000. The main town is Iloilo. JAPANESE IN BURMA HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, April 17. Japanese reinforcements which are being sent to Burma number more than 100,000 men, said the Chinese military spokesman in Chungking. Upward of 40' Japanese warships and transports have been sighted near Rangoon. The enemy ships were now landing two divisions at Rangoon, while over three additional divisions were en route.