U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25080, 11 January 1947, Page 7

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

PRESS COMMENT ON CHANGE (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, January 9. British newspapers unanimously welcome the appointment of General George Marshall as the United States Secretary of State, while regretting that ill-health compelled the retirement of Mr James Byrnes. “The Times” says that the change was made at a time when it was least likely to affect the continuity of American foreign policy. . The appointment was gratifying as an indication that “the rabid controversies of American internal politics continue to be kept in the background,” says the “Manchester Guardian.” The “Glasgow Herald considers that it will take some time for General Marshall to make himself familiar with the European scene, although his knowledge of China and Japan will be of great value when the time comes to consider the Pacific peace treaty. The “Daily Herald” publishes an article by its correspondent in Washington. who recalls the tact and success with which General Marshall dealt with Congress throughout the war, and describes him.as a man with a first-rate mind, clarity of vision, and a tremendous capacity for work. He was not. as was commonly supposed, a “shrinking violet,” but when roused had a withering vocabulary, tempered only by his sense of humility.

Book Written by Wife Mrs Marshall has just published a book entitled - “Together,” jn which she gives many informative glimpses of her husband’s personality. In view of the new prominence he has assumed the book is considered likely to be a best-seller. The British Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin) has not yet met General Marshall. He is, however, likely to be one of the few men in Britain who knew beforehand of Mr Byrnes’s intention to resign. Reports from Paris say that French newspapers greeted the appointment with undisguised astonishment and dismay. “Le Monde,” which frequently expresses the views of the Quai d’Orsay, states: “While the American Government proclaims its conciliatory and pacific intentions, one cannot fail to be struck by the fact that three soldiers will represent it at Moscow—the American Ambassador to Russia (Lieu-tenant-General Bedell Smith), the head of the American Military Government in Germany (LieutenantGeneral Lucius Clay), and General Marshall.”

The Communist organ, “Ce Sojr, ’ asks: “Is it because General Marshall is regarded as an enthusiastic supporter of American expansion that Mr Truman has appointed him Secretary of State?”