ONEROUS TASKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26367, 23 January 1947, Page 5

ONEROUS TASKS

SECRETARY OF STATE GENERAL MARSHALL SWORN IN NO POLITICAL AMBITIONS WASHINGTON, Rec. 8 p.m. Jan. 21. In the presence of President Truman and other high officials, General George. Marshall was sworn in as Secretary of State by the Chief - Justice, Mr F. Vinson. Prior to the ceremony General Marshall said he believed his new. job would be tougher than his war-time task because “ military affairs were my business.” He made the follojving statement:— “I think this a good time to terminate speculation regarding me in the political way. lam assuming that the Secretary of State’s office, under present conditions, is non-political 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 offic§ 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 concerning my name with regard to political matters.” General Marshall had been mentioned as a possible nominee for the Presidency.