New York Times reporter Brooks Atkinson wrote at the time : The decision to relieve General Stilwell represents the political triumph of a moribund , anti-democratic regime that is more concerned with maintaining its political supremacy than in driving the Japanese out of China . Right before Stilwell 's departure , New York Times drama critic-turned-war correspondent Brooks Atkinson interviewed him in Chungking and wrote : `` The decision to relieve General Stilwell represents the political triumph of a moribund , anti-democratic regime that is more concerned with maintaining its political supremacy than in driving the Japanese out of China .