Evening star., 1944-04-14
Candidate Macarthur
No Help to Him Seen From
Publication of His Letters.
By David Lawrence


General Douglas Macarthur. by the
devious ways of present-day politics, has
become candidate for the Republican
nomination for the presidency.
The publication by Representative
Miller, Republican, of Nebraska of an
exchange of recently written letters
which give the generals views on New
Dealism and domestic affairs puts into
the open something that has hitherto
been obscure and ambiguous.
The general didn't write Just one let
ter but several. He maintained a corre-
spondence with Republican member Of
Congress which was related to domestic
politics. The fact that Mr. Miller wrote
most of the political comment and that
the general agreed in phrases srof
which are vague and implicit does not
erase the impression of the generals
deep interest in the subject matter pre-
sented to him.
Representative Miller says he met
Gen. Macarthur only once. So the
continued correspondence wasn't at all
necessary from the point of view of an
swering an admirer. Also the general
discussed the question of getting more
help for the Pacific.
Il will be glad" he wrote, when more
substantial forces are placed at my dis
position"
Skating Close to Edge.
The general did say he had no reason
to believe that the prediction concerning
his nomination and election to the pres
idency would come true and, had he con-
fined himself to that observation, there
would have been little cause for crit
icism. AS it is, the broad discussion of
political and military questions in an
exchange of letters with an individual
who made no secret of the fact that he
intended to work for the draft" of Gen,
Macarthur for the Republican nomira-
tion, is a violation of the spirit If not
the letter. of War Department regllla-
tions recently announced by the Secre-
tary of War concerning the political ac-
tivities Of members of the armed sery-
ices.
1t is doubtful whether any disciple
nary action will be taken because the
administration would be afraid of the
accusation that it was, in turn, playing
politics or that it was making martyr
OF the general. That would only lead to
public controversy impairing Gen.
MacArthur's usefulness as our conf
mander in the Southwest Pacific and
serving no useful purpose at this time.
But if the friends of Gen Macarthur
think that the publication of the cor
respondence will be helpful to the cause
OF the general, they are much mistaken,
Unless he repudiates what has been
given out and states that he not only
did not authorize the publishing Of the
letters but that he is also in no sense a
candidate, he will be regarded as devot-
Ing his time and thought to political
campaign in the midst of war. His
prestige will be correspondingly reduced
and, even If nominated. he would stand
little chance OF election.
Embarrassment to the General.
There is one thing the American
people do understand and that is the
necessity Of keeping our military COM
manders out of politics. If they don't
want to remain in the military service,
they can resign or ask for retirement.
for which Gen. Macarthur is eligible,
To remain on duty IN the face of the
letters published by Mr. Miller is going
to embarrass the general. Reputation
of them is his only logical course.
For many months 1t has been reported
here on good authority that Gen. Mac
Arthur intended to speak IN no uncer-
tain terms about his alleged candidacy
land that he would publicly state his
position His consent was not asked
when his name was put on the Illinois
ballot. The Chicago Tribune indorsed
him enthusiastically and the Macarthur
name was the principal one OH the bal
lot for the presidency. He got approxi-
mately the same vote from Republicans
as did well-known 'isolationists" or
'nationalists." This does not mean that
ne shares their views. 1t does mean
that the general either has been misled
into thinking he has a chance to be
nominated and is actually acquiescing
IN these tactics or else that his name is
really being used to further the plans
and purposes of political groups.
1t. Comdr Stassen of the Navy, also
stationed in the South Pacific, said
publicly his name could be used but
that he would make no statements on
current subjects and that if nominated
he would accept. That's a forthright
declaration and well within military
regulations. Gen. Macarthur has much
explaining to do and his many friends
In the United States hope he will adopt
the course Of candor rather than coyness
or political maneuvering while he holds
such an important command in a thea
ter of war.
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