Evening star., 1948-06-01
Macarthur Esteem Rises
After Decision to Remain
The Political Mill

JVlO$1i 69tSSlII NtSSS
After Decision to Remain
Generals Refusal to Stir Political Pot
Ends Alarm of 6. O.. P. Candidates
By Gould Lincoln
Gen. Douglas Macarthur has said fatty
and 1t IL to his credit-he does not intend 10
trade upon his victories against Japan In the
last war for political prefermsnt He Il not
coming back to this country for tfiumphal
entry just before the Republican National Con-
vention-a course which many Of his supporters
for the q. o. p. presidential nomination have
prayed would be followed.
Gen. MacArthur's radio message to Senator
Bridges, of New Hampshire, chairman Of the
Senate Appropriations Committee which had
invited Gen. Macarthur to appear before it
to discuss the Far East situation, settled this
matter. II there had been any residue OF
doubt, 1t was eliminated when President Tru-
man indicated that Gen. Macarthur was
master of his course and that he had no In
tention of ordering him back to the United
States At this time, II the General thought
he should not come.
The Macarthur for President following in
this country is material, and had the General
been in this country during the last year
and willing to campaign-his candidacy might
have gone far. He has, however been giving
his services in vital area, where he has done
magnificent job. 1t is q far cry from Tokyo
to the U. S. "A long way to campaign In
absentia. This was the handicap he faced
when delegates to the Republican National
Convention, pledged to him, ran in the Wis.
consin primary. In that primary Gen. Mac
Arthur won delegates to 10 for Harold T.
stassen and none for Gov. Dewey, Of New York
Wisconsin Ended His Hopes.
Wisconsin was q primary test for the
Macarthur candidacy. He was the States
favorite and most distinguished son in this
contest If he had won all or considerable
majority of the States delegation Of a, the
Macarthur drive for the presidential norni-
nation would have assumed large proportions.
His failure there was q great damper. Indeed,
it virtually ended Gen. MacArthur's chances
for the nomination. Some of his friends, how
ever, refused to give up. They particularly
hoped that something would bring Gen. Mac
Arthur back to the United States before the
Republican, National Convention was due to
open in Philadelphia. For weeks 1t had been
predicted that Congress. or = congressional
committee, would take action. But when
finally it happened, Gen. Macarthur thanked
the committee but stated clearly his reasons
for not wanting to return to the United States
at this time.
The prospect OF Macarthur return to this
country which loomed when the Senate
committee invited him to appear before it
was disturbing, If not alarming, to other
presidential candidates. No one could say
accurately whether or not = wave Of popular
sentiment for Gen. Macarthur would follow
his entry into the United States. 1t was
possibility Certainly whenever Gen. Mac
Arthur returns to this country he will bs
accorded 4 tremendous welcome and de-
servedly so.
With Messrs Dewey, Taft and stassen run
ming high, wide and handsome rs principal
candidates for the Republican nomination. .
Gen. Macarthur striding across the immediate
scene might easily have brought different
alignments. He might have proved the
unknown factor.
Time Element = Factor. s8o4z
Had the war been over only . year ago
instead OF three years-or had this country
been openly on the verge Of . new war, the
demand for Gen. Macarthur or for Gen.
Eisenhower would have been far greater. As
it is, the Republicans feel that they can win
the election with an outstanding civilian can
didate, and the main reason that some Demo-
Gratis are clamoring for an Eisenhower nomi-
nation is that they feel there Is no other
possible way they can hold on to the White
House after the November election.
Gen. MacArthur's radiogram to Senator
Bridges was . Macarthur masterpiece. 1t
conveyed exactly his ideas but wrapped in
that in all probability no other public
man today could have used. His concluding
sentence shows his flair for politics-as well
his patriotism. He said:
Indeed, were permitted to give but one
word of advice toward the safeguard OF
national interest, should elect to urge that
we reafirm the basic concepts which safely
guided Cur past. and above all else regain some
of Lincon's faith in the wisdom Of the people