WAR AND POLITICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1943, Page 4

WAR AND POLITICS

OBSERVATIONS BV SYDNEY PAPER ON GENERAL MACARTHUR’S STATEMENT SOME COUNTENANCE GIVEN TO RUMOURS (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. “It seems a pity that General MacArthur has seen fit to comment publicly on rumours recently circulated in the United States regarding future strategy in the Pacific,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald,” editorially. “However near to or far from the mark these rumours may ultimately prove to be, it cannot be overlooked that they emanate almost wholly from sources which have been consistently hostile to the present American Administration, critical in their attitude towards Mr Churchill and assiduous in efforts to use General MacArthur as 2 political weapon against both President Roosevelt and those directing the higher strategy of the war. “Knowledge of this,” the “Herald” continues, “should surely have dictated greater caution on General MacArthur’s part than to issue a statement which, however well-intended, gives countenance to rumours which are politically suspect, and cannot fail to give the impression that he believes himself to be at odds with those whoso duty it is to determine the broad strategy of the Pacific war. To say this is not to challenge in any way the correctness of the viewpoint which General MacArthur expresses, but to proclaim it so bluntly and in such circumstances can hardly make for smooth co-operation with cither the govern'ments or the Combined Chiefs of Staff in whose hands lie the ultimate decisions on such questions. So far there has been no indication, unless General MacArthur is speaking from special knowledge, denied to the public, that his command will not enjoy the opportunities which he seeks for it. Certainly there is n‘o inherent reason why Lord Mountbatten’s appointment should be deemed to preclude such opportunities. As President Roosevelt said in a broadcast on February 14, there are many roads leading to Tokio, none of which, he promised, would be neglected.”