Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-10-29
Vinegar Joe
Recalled 10
Bio New Job Said
to Be Awaiting Him;
Command Divided

Command Divided
WASHINGTON, Oct. %
1NS)-Gen. Joseph Stilwefl
was recalled from his post
in the China India Burma
theater today at the request,
according to military and
diplomatic sources, of Gen.
eralissimo Chang Kai-shek.
The war department following
a White House announcement that
the Obi theater was being broken
up into two smaller commands,
revealed that Stilwell was sum.
moned home for a new and i'm.
portant" assignment.
However, an army spokesman
admitted that the American COM
mander's new assignment was q
sequel TO his recall and not the
motivating reason behind the
shift.
CONFLICT ON STRATEGY
1t was strongly indicated that
StilwelPs reported demand that
the generalissimo revise Chinese
military strategy-particularly to
guarantee unity between the gov.
eminent army and Communist
forces in North China-contrib.
uted to the break.
Informed sources emphasized
that the change was no reflection
on the famed jungle fighters
military ability.
The White House announcement
said that in addition to being re.
heved as u. S. commander in
China, India and Burma, Stilwell
is giving up his posts as deputy to
Adm. Mountbatten, commander Of
the southeast Asia theater, and as
chief of staff to Generalissimo
Chang Kai-Shek.
PERSONALITIES CLASH :
Sources acquainted with actual
operations in the Far Eastern
theater said today that the re.
moval of Gen. Stilwell resulted
from conflict of personalities In
that theater and was not q 70.
Election on Stilwell's military
ability.
ellis recall, L e United Press
learned, also was due to differ
ences with his subordinate Off
Ger, Maj. Gen. Chennault.
Chennault, chief of the Four
tenth u. S. Air Force, and
Chang were said to have fa-
vored the placing of greater
emphasis on air action than on
land operations, while Stilwell
held that the Allies must mount
great ground offensives against
the japanese. Stilwell and
Chennault quarreled often and
heatedly, it was said.
According to this Interpretation
Stilwell has proved himself q
tough, skillful military COM
mander, but has had difficulties
getting along with Generalissimo
Chang Kai-shek and Adm. Mount
batten.
1t was emphasized that Chinese
officials do not regard the recent
military reverses as the fault OF
Stilwell. They admire his ability
and spirit, but stressed that in
time of trouble when nerves are
on edge in their opinion he has
been undiplomatic in dealing with
his colleagues of the international
military command.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The war department made the
following announcement in con-
nection with Stilwell:
"In answer to queries, the war
department stated that In view
of the decision TO divide the
China Burma-India theater into
two smaller theaters, Gen. Still
well has been recalled TO Wash
ington. He will be given q new
and important. but at present
undisclosed assignment"
The American forces In the
China theater will be taken over
by Mai. Gen. A. c. Wedemeyer Of
Omaha, Neb. Wedemeyer has been
concurrently appointed chief Of
staff of the China theater by Cen
eralissimo Chang Kai-Shek.
Wedemeyer was deputy chief Of
staff 10 Adm. Mountbstten.
1t. Gen. Daniel I. Sutton Of Ok.
ford, Miss, will succeed Stilwell
as commander in the India Burma
theater. Sutton was deputy com.
mander of the China-India- Burma
theater.
D&c LAKE LIsEs To CLEyxLApD