U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25090, 23 January 1947, Page 7

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

GENERAL MARSHALL SWORN IN NOT’ CANDIDATE FOR POLITICS WASHINGTON, January 21. In the presence of Mr Truman and other high officials General G. C. Marshall was sworn in as Secretary of State by the Chief Justice (Mr F. M. Vinson).

Before the ceremony General Marshall expressed the opihion that his new job would be tougher than his war-time task because “military affairs were my business.” “I think that this is a good time to terminate speculation regarding me

in a political way,” said General Marshall in a statement. “I am assuming that the Secretary of State’s office, under present conditions, is non-poli-tical, and will govern myself accordingly. I will never become involved in political matters, therefore I cannot be considered as a candidate for political office. “The popular conception that no matter what a man says he can be drafted as a candidate for political office would be without any force with regard to me. I never could be drafted, I am being explicit and emphatic in order to terminate, once and for all, any discussion of my name with regard to political matters.” General Marshall’s name has been mentioned as a possible Qominee for the presidency.