Evening star., 1951-04-15
By Russell Brines

1Oh4O, April 14.-A SlIStlt,
well dressed American woman
with flashing smile stepped from
q Tokyo bank today after draw
ing funds for a trip to the United
States.
A crowd surrounded her imme-
diately. Japanese Office girls and
executives leaned from nearby
buildings and waved.
The woman looked startled.
Then she smiled, waved back and
said: "Sayonara-goodby."
Mrs. Jean Macarthur has be-
come a celebrity in this country
by trying to~avoid attention.
AS wife of the supreme COM
mander, she could have reignedI
as a queen. She chose to remain
q housewife.
The Japanese applauded her de-
cision, but Mrs. Macarthur has
another explanation:
People are SO good to me-" she
frequently says, with a slight
drawl.
The Murfreesboro (Tenn)
woman went to the Far East Is
years ago for a trip. On shipboard
she met Gen. MacArthur's mother,
and through her the General
whom she married in May, 1887.
Unfamiliar With America.
A 14-year era in the Orient will
end Monday when she. the Gen.
eral and their 13-year-old son.
Arthur. leave for the United
States.
Perhaps Mrs. Macarthur herself
doesn't realize what that will near
TO her.
One night. while waiting for the
General to return from Korea, she
pointed to one of the civil trans
port planes regularly flying here
as part of the airlift./
els that q new airline?" she
asked.
The plane bore the name Of
one Of Americas Oldest and best
known airlineS.
It has been IA years since she
has seen the United States: IA
years of war, turbulence and
change. During that time her hus-
band has commanded vast armies
with no challenge to his authority.
They have lived in small American
communities. where life is slow
and sometimes easy.
Does Not Frighten Easily.
"Airplanes frighten me-" says
the woman preparing to cross the
Pacific in the "Bataan," newly
renamed from "Scap."
But there is a strength about
this woman who has charmed two
nations that are difficult to charm.
She was nearly trampled one
night by excited japanese report
ers and photographers. swarming
past her to meet an incoming
party of officials.
Mrs. Macarthur Strengthened
her hat and smiled. tits crowded
out here. isn't it?" she asked.
Her friends say that Jean Mac
Arthur may be startled by the
modern-day United States, but
certainly not defeated.
They add privately that the
General may need all of the quiet
strength she can give him. He is
going back, apparently, ready for
a fight and ready for the barbs
Of his critics.
Gen. Macarthur loves a fight.
But at the end of the day, when
he goes home, from a war or from
the Office. the first thing he does
is to embrace his wife; regardless
Of who is present.
Son Will Enter First School.
Hello, boss" she always says:
and the 71-year-old General
always looks refreshed.
The son they both adore can
take care of himself, say his init
mates.
At 13. Arthur Macarthur will
get his first glimpse of the United
States. He will enter his first
school. For the first time, he
will be among schoolmates who
may not know or care who his
father is.
Those who know him best say
Arthur has acquired the poise of
his father and the resiliency of
his mother.
They say he has startled visit
ing ambassadors with his ability
to conduct a conversation of in
tereSt to them. He has surprised
music teachers with his skill as
q classical pianist. He has soothed
the worries of embarrassed young
sters attending parties at the en-
basSy mansion.
Arthur has been tutored pri-
vately from the time he began