Evening star., 1943-09-26

have assumed an offensive which
establishes a full-fedged front, now
open to sea-borne reinforcement and
supplying by the Allies.
British troops have increased their
hold on the Dodecanese Islands.
French troops, aided by Italians, have
regained their first French home soil
with the virtual expulsion of the Nazis
from the island of Corsica, which Italy
has long claimed, but which her pro-
Allied troops now are helping restore
to the French patriots.
American and British armies having
made secure their footholds in Lower
Italy, are now moving forward the
American 5th Army toward Naples which
the Nazis are destroying prior to their
retreat northward.
More Trouble for Japs.
Over in the Pacific, the Japanese had
another taste of the power of the new
American Navy when successful raids
were made on the Gilbert Islands and
fresh disaster followed on New Guinea,
where Gen. McArthur's Australians cap
tured the airfleld at Finschhaven and
brought that important base in imme-
diate Jeopardy of capture.
An interesting development was the
announcement from Toxic that the JAP
anese are preparing plans for the evacu-
alton of Toxic and other large cities in
case Allied aircraft begin an attack on
the home island cities. This is striking
admission from an enemy which after
the fall of Italy announced that Japan
would carry on the war to the utter
defeat OF Britain and America in order
that the Emperor's mind might be at
ease.
Considerable discussion arose in WASH
lngton over reports that Gen. Marshall
has been selected for the post of Allied
commander in chief in Europe Charges
were made that the appointment, if it
comes, would mean demotion with his
successor as Chief of Staff of the Amer
lean Army assuming supreme control
over the Army, including Gen. Marshall.
There was discussion of ways and means
OF permitting him to retain his title as
Chief of Staff while filling the combat
task declared agreed upon for him at
the Quebec conference
The general himself, ignoring all the
talk, appeared before a Senate commit
tee to urge the drafting of fathers be-
cause of the tremendous need for man
power He followed this testimony with
speech Tuesday to the American Le-
gion convention in which he declared
that powerful blows against the enemy
are about to be struck.
Macarthur Discussion.
Another general was the center of
other discussions report coming from
Gen. MacArthur's headquarters which
was at first interpreted as meaning that
the commander in the Southwest Pacific
feels that he has been relegated to a
secondary role with the selection of Lord
Mountbatten, cousin of the King of Eng
land, to lead the drive into Burma.
In a statement, Gen Macarthur ex-
pressed his disapproval of the island
hopping mode of offensive against the
Japs, preferring to strike powerful blows
much closer to home or against impor-
tant centers in Japan's newly acquired
empire.
Apparently resigning himself, or SO his
statement was interpreted, to a second
ary role, Gen. Macarthur declared "I
have no personal military ambitions
whatsoever but am perfectly content in
such role as may be prescribed for me-"
Later this statement was said to have
been intended as reply to certain
articles appearing in Australian papers
attacking the Curtin government over
the failure to expand the MarArthur
field of command