Salt Lake Telegram | 1944-11-16 | Page 4 | Gen. Stilwell Gives Unstinting Praise to G I's, but Refuses to Talk About China Situation

Gen Stilwell Gives Unstinting Praise to G Is I's But Refuses to Talk About China Situation CARMEL Cal Nov 16 UP UP 1 R- R Gen Jo Joseph eph W W. Stilwell relieved of ot his duties In the China Burma India theater refused to discuss his lis removal Thursday but was unstinting in his praise of oC the I American soldier In his first press i interview since his his' return My hats hat's off oft to this generation generation genera- genera tion ion he told more than 50 news news- newsmen newsmen men and photographers Im lm for tor them hem The army must have done an excellent job of training he said The soldiers arc are more amenable to o discipline and 1 X think the war picture was better presented to them hem There might have been a little better preparation in years previous previous pre pre- I to the war but the stuff stutt is I good Stilwell said the Japanese arc are I good soldiers by virtue of ot military training raining from a tender age but butI I think the way we do It is a a. damned sight better I The general refused d to discuss 1 China or his removal from that theater where he was chief of I Istatt staff to Generalissimo Chiang I Kai hat al- al shek slick other than to say The newsmen In China arc are doIng doing do do- doi i ing InS a wonderful job and are giving people an a accurate picture of ot what is going on For three hours Gen Stilwell known know throughout the army as as I Vinegar gar Joe talked Informally with the tho reporters and Joined his guests in a buffet luncheon He doffed h his 5 s dress uniform and donned an old black I sweater sunt suntan n slacks and his G G. G I. I shoes for tor a run on the beach with Gerry hl his giant dog while cameras clicked He explained his lack of ribbons I only have two ribbons that mean an anything the tho distinguished service cross cros and distinguished service medal and I didn't preserve preserve preserve pre pre- serve them The ribbons should be left to the guys who take ake it day and night and get shot up Evidence of ot impatience at his enforced rest while waiting for reassignment came out in this re remark remark remark re- re mark This being at home waiting wailing is very tough on Mr Mrs Stilwell tougher even than when I was overseas He refused to comment on where hI his next assignment might take him Asked how he rated about the house the ve veteran eran leader of ot tough Jungle warfare said Right after the dog I have io ro Illusions