Typed Letter Signed

STIMSON, Henry L. (1867-1950)

Published by Washington, 1942

About this Item

Exceptional T.L.S. placating General MacArthur at the height of the Bataan and Corregidor Crisis. 4to. 1 page, blind-stamped stationary: "Secretary of War", Washington, March 25th 1942, to international law attorney and political power broker Frederick R. Coudert, concerning the crisis in the Philippines, in full: "Thank you for your kind little note. It was very helpful. The MacArthur problem was a difficult one and, if I say it myself, was handled with skill and success, chiefly by General Marshall." *On March 12th 1942, MacArthur, on orders by the President of the United States, vacated the Philippines in route to Australia, leaving the War Department completely ignorant of the command arrangements which went into effect upon his departure. MacArthur neglected to inform the War Department completely ignorant of the command arrangements which went into effect upon his departure. MacArthur neglected to inform the War Department of his plans to control operations in the Philippines in route from Australia. Meanwhile, it was assumed in Washington that General Wainwright, the senior officer in the islands, was now in command. In fact, President Roosevelt arranged for this immediate promotion to Lieutenant General. On March 21st MacArthur, for the first time, informed Marshall about his own arrangements for four separate commands and his intention to control operations in the Philippines from his headquarters in Melbourne, four thousand miles away - through a deputy chief of staff in Corregidor; and for the first time he revealed it was never his intention that Wainwright should command all forces in the Philippines. Marshall found his unsatisfactory and told the President so; stating Wainwright should continue command. The President agreed and on March 22nd a conciliatory message went out to Melbourne. Refraining from specific criticism the message, nevertheless, made it clear to MacArthur that unless there were strenuous objections Wainwright would remain in command. MacArthur expressed no objections and thus ended the uncertainty and confusion. General Wainwright was not confirmed as the commander of all forces in the Philippine Islands, however, he would remain in a subordinate position to MacArthur whose new command, officially sanctioned on April 18th, included the Philippine Islands as well as Australia, New Guinea, and most of the Solomon Islands and the Netherland's Indies. Fine condition. American Statesman who served in government under several administrations including: Secretary of War (Taft), Secretary of State (Hoover), and Secretary of War under F.D.R. and Harry S. Truman. Seller Inventory # 287807

Bibliographic Details

Title: Typed Letter Signed

Publisher: Washington

Publication Date: 1942

Binding: unbound

Condition: very good(+)

Signed: Signed by Author(s)