The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-03-17
Real Fighting Man in Aus
traIia Now Is the Uni.
versal Comment
CIVILIZED WORLD is
LUCKY SAYS CONNOLLY
Story of MacArthur's Ap-
pOintment Almost Leak
ed Out Last Night
BY HARRISON SALISBURY

BY HARRISON SALISBURY
UNITED PRESS Staff Correspondent
A surge of optimism
thrilled the embattled United
Nations today with an
nouncement that Genera
Douglas Macarthur had as
sumed supreme command IL
Australia. That's wonder
full" saiH Wendell L. Willkit
in New York and his Sentl-
ment was echoed by the littl6
men in the street and statesmen y
high places wherever the flags OF the
United Nations fly.
'"There will be a real fighting mar
In Australia" was the comment q
one griny little Cocmey who read
the newspaper bill that proclaimed
the news in bold black letters on q
London street corner.
Over toward whitehall where high
staff officers endlesly weigh the
chances for holding off the Japan
ese and balance the possibilities Of
taking an offensive against Tokyo
the reaction was that Macarthur
not only should guarar1te that AUS
tralia win be held but prepare it IS
the base for the coming offensive
they hope will strike back north
across the Pacific.
An American army officers IN Bri-
tain spoke for the U. s. armed forces
abroad when he said:
There's going to be something
happening down there now"
Fortune for Civilized
Chairman Tom Connally. D., Tex,
Of the senate foreign relations CONF
mittee spoke for congress. He said.
1T is fortunate for the civilized
world that Macarthur is there"
cts splendid" cried Walsh Nash,
New Zealand's minister to Washing
ton.
Chuckling Britlshers told over
again the message which they like
to believe Macarthur sent to the
governor Of California after the
japanese submarine shelled a.
southern California oil refinery
That message, according to the exs
aggerated yarn told in London was:
Hold out 80 days and I VIII send
you reinforcements."
"It's really 9 damned fine Show,
the British military commentator ~
London exclaimed, "for comman~
der like that to be placed at the
head of the troops in Australia. II
shows that we are all really 10 the
party. can think of anyone bet
ter and I'm sure the Australians
feel the same way"
An Australian in London ex~
pressed home that this time we've
got a fighting man who IS being
given something to fight with"
Cities, Towns Applaud
The enthusiasm was not confined
to far places.
There was plenty of 1t in Ameri-
can cities and towns as newspapers
and radios flashed the news OF Mac
Arthur's new post.
said red-haired sergeant spend
ing a days leave from Fort Dix
sightseeing on New Yorks 4znd
street.
boy, oh boy! Well get some
action now. wish I was there with
him."
A lanky blond infantryman said
'It looks like they'll have 70 send
that Jap general in the philippines
back to Java"
The British Broadcasting Com
pany announcement Of MacArthur's
new assignment repeated the Wash-
nigton connmunique and said that
his resistance had won the ADJ
miration OF the whole world" TIC
announcer recalled MacArthur's ex
ploits in the Rainbow division IN
the flrst World War and said he had
won Is decorations and seven eita
tons.
There was an atmosphere og cheer
and celebration Ia the war depart
ment at washington where officers
slapped one another on the back and
said: Nov there viii be some ex-
citement."
Best News Of War
Chairman Carl Vinson Of enc
house naval affairs committee called
the Macarthur appointment stlae
best news Of the war" and added
we've got to hold Australia and
NOW we win hold IT,
Rep. Joseph J. Mansfield. y. tex
said: IF we can keep him supplied
lnow with men and materials "a
sure Will raise he'll with the Aap
Chairman Robert r. Reynolds
the senate military affairs co1aask
| tee said: II am thoroughly con lncN
As are tire commanders Is TIE nll's
lea Nations, that Macarthur "
OF the worlds outstanding geuexe
lcontinued cn Pace