Evening star., 1942-03-26
Macarthur Pledges
All Power Of j. !.
To Australians
'Foith in Ultimate Victory
Is InvineibIe,' He Tells
conberro Legislators
6y the Associated Press.


Douglas Macarthur pledged to-
night that there can be no COM
promise; we shall win or we shall
die, and to this end I pledge you
the full resources of all the
mighty power OF my country and
all the blood Of my countrymen."
At the height Of historic dinner
In Parliament House. the first Amer
lean commander ever to lead united
forces Of United States and Aus
traian troops declared his conf
dence-the "unbreakable faith Of
free man"-in ultimate victory.
II am deeply moved by the
warmth Of the greeting extended
me by all Australia" Macarthur
said. "The hospitality of your
country is proverbial throughout the
world, but your reception has far
exceeded anything could have an
ticipated. Although this is my first
trip to Australia I already feel at
home.
There is a link that binds our
countries together which does not
depend upon a written protocol,
upon treaties Of alliance, or upon
diplomatic doctrine. 1t goes deeper
than that. 1t is that indescribable
consanguinity Of race which causes
us to have the same aspirations, the
same hopes and desires, the same
ideals and the same dreams Of fu-
ture destiny.
Faith in Ultimate Victory.
MY presence here is tangible evi-
dence of our unity. I have come as
a soldier in a great crusade OF per-
sonal liberty as opposed to per-
petual slavery.
MY faith in our ultimate victory
Il invincible, and bring to you to-
night the unbreakable spirit Of the
free mans military code in support
Of our just cause.
That code has come down to us
from even before the days OF knight
hood and chivalry. 1t will stand the
test OF any ethics or PHILOSOPHERS the
world has ever known. 1t embraces
the things that are right and con-
demns the things that are wrong.
Under its banner the free men OF
the world are united today.
No Compromise Possible.
''There can pe no compromise; we
shall win or we shall die, and to
this end I pledge you the full re-
sources of all the mighty power OF
my country and all the blood of my
countrymen.
Mr.. Prime Minister, tonight will
be an unforgettable memory for me.
Your inspiring words and those Of
your compatriots will be emblazoned
always in my memory as though
they had been carved on stone or
bronze. Under their inspiration I
am taking the liberty Of assuming
the high honor of raising my glass
in salute to your great country and
its great leaders
Curtin Voices Confidence.
Prime Minister John Curtin, who
pored over battle plans with Gen.
Macarthur before the dinner, de-
clared that under the American
generals leadership ''the war can
be fought with dynamic energy and
infiexible purpose"
Mr.. Curtin declared that Gen.
Macarthur had the fullest conf
dence of Australia's War Council
Mr.. Curtin said Gen. Macarthur
gave us inspiration for the struggle
and his direct and clear thinking in
all that is involved have impressed
US deeply"
Outlining the matters discussed at
the war council meeting with Gen.
Macarthur. Mr.. Curtin said the
enemy's tactics were reviewed and
a basis for counteraction was fully
explored"
Forced as we are to battle on our
own SOIL" Mr.. Curtin said, the
plans we are making are not mat
tiers for publication. I have no
doubt that Just as we can surprise
the enemy We will crafty ourselves,
News of what we have done and not
news of what we intend will be the
only kind of news which the war
council can from now on make
available"
Plunges Deep in Parleys.
Gen. Macarthur, In his new role
OF United Nations supreme COM
mander in the Southwest Pacific,
plunged deep into conferences with
the commonwealth leaders as sooE
as he arrived here today on his
first visit to the Australian capital.
Gen. Macarthur listened to a
warm debate in the House of Repre-
sentatives and, when he left, shook
hands with the Speaker and COM
mented eff the rest of the Aus
tralians can fight as well as these
argue the war is as good as won"
Wearing his usual loose-fitting
khaki blouse. without decorations
or insignia, Gen. Macarthur spent
two hours with the war cabinet be-
fore going to the dinner
There was a storm of applause
when United States Minister Nelson
T. johnson announced that Gen.
Macarthur had been awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor,
Americas highest decoration for
valor.
Given Tremendous Ovation.
At the end of the dinner, later,
the strains of For He's jolly Good
Fellow" followed by tremendous
ovation betokened Gen. MacAr-
thurs reception and the reaction to
his speech.
What I liked" one listener said as
they streamed slowly out of the
building, was that three and six
suit he wore. Our blokes 60 around
IN 12-guinea outfits"
Three and six is about Is cents; II
guineas about $50.
Dispensing with all formalities,
Gen. Macarthur went at once to !
Mr.. Curtin's chambers after receiv-
$ng at Parliament House the cheers
of q small group Of officials. among
whom was Army Minister Francis
Forde.