Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-31
Macarthur
Aids Unity
OfCommand
No Politics Statement
Clarifies Situation
BY GEO. ROCKWELL BROWN
Special to THE DETROIT TIMES

w Unified military and naval
command in the Pacific as the
only way to defeat Japan, was
brought measurably nearer, in
Washington opinion today, by
the significant statement of
Gen. Douglas Macarthur, from
his headquarters in Australia,
disavowing any ambitions TO
become the Republican candi-
date for President in 1914.
That General Macarthur had
greatly clarified the situation,
by taking himself completely
out of the political picture, was
generally recognized.
With only skeleton Congress
remaining in Washington over
the election weekend. the de-
mand for an immediate ter
mination of the existing divided
authority in the Southwest
Pacific was so strong at the
Capitol as TO indicate power
full congressional pressure will
be brought to bear for unified
command before the close of the
year.
DEP. John NJ. Costello, Of
~ California, Democratic men,
Der of the House committee
on military affairs, went so far
as to urge a unified command,
not only in the Southwest Pa
cific, but embracing the entire
Pacific area.
Declaring the Pacific TO be
the chief field of action for the
United States, Costello said that
there must be adopted a def
mite program under one supreme
head for the conquest of Japan.
Anthony J. Dimond. the dele
gate from Alaska, after making
a speech in the House today
for the adoption of his resolu-
ton for the extension of the
Alaskan military highway from
Fairbanks to the Boring Sea,
said this would open the way
for direct attack on the heart
of Japan.
C0INHE war can be won or lost
i I'm the Pacific" said Di-
mond, land moreover IL can be
won or lost in the North Pa
cific."
1t was not understood here
that General MacArthurs dis
avowal of political ambition was
directly inspired by newspaper
publications in the United States.
attributing the failure to set up
unified command to political
fear of the generals popularity.
1t. has been known in con-
gressional circles for some time
that, more than two months ago,
in Australia, General Macarthur
was urged to make some such
statement as he has now made.
In at least one instance, he was
advised to resign, as a means of
bringing the whole situation in
the Southwest Pacific into the
open.
COLDIERS in high command,
~ who are soldiers first, and
not politicians, only reluctantly
do these things. The statement
the general has now made, in
itself. goes very far. That it
may accomplish results was gen.
orally believed here today.
Concern over the situation in
the Southwest Pacific has been
increasing in Congress, where
the mood is becoming one Of inn
patience. Commenting on Gen.
eral MacArthur's statement,
Rep. John E. Rankin Cd of
Mississippi, said:
General Macarthur Is MAIN
tanning the same wisdom that
was shown by Robert r. Lee,
when he was urged to become a
candidate for the presidency Of
the confederacy to succeed JEFF
ferson Davis. Lee said:
"'No; / don't believe In mill
tary presidents or political gen.
erals
General Macarthur has done
the right thing. / do not know
what his motive was, or whether
Ii will hasten the establishment
OF unified command In the
Southwest Pacific.
IL have believed all the time
that we should have a single
head In charge Of all our opera
lions in that area"
UCENERAL MACARTHUR'S
" statement should reassure
those who have been apprehen-
sive about the political presi-
dental campaign Of 1914, fear
ing that he might become "A
candidate for President" Rep.
Harold Knutson (R) of Mime
sofa said.
His statement Is very timely,
and IL should result In placing
in MacArthur's hands that meas
ure OF complete military au-