Eisenhower's Appointment Greeted With Relief

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 December 1950, Page 5

Eisenhower's Appointment Greeted With Relief

WASHINGTON. December 19 que of the historic Brussels ineetin was greeted with relief by Weste ulpiomats here. It is felt that the long. and. at times, annoying period of negotiation differences, delay and ■ compromise is over. The appoint- I inent of General Eisenhower as supreme commander of the North I Atlantic defence force is regarded as particularly important. It is felt that under his military leadership the physical work of constructing a new North Atlantic army can begin without l any more delav.

There are some misgivings about I the prospect of reaching an agreement with the West German Government. These involve the terms on , which important German units will ’ be incorporated in the army, the j time—possibly months —that these j new and complicated negotiations I might take, and the possible inclu-1 sion of German air units in the new army. There are misgivings, too, I about the Soviet Union’s reaction to i these developments. All such waverings are offset by the confidence inspired by General, Eisenhower’s acceptance of supreme j command. This faith is based on a ; belief that with "months of considera- i tion behind him, he would not have I accepted the offer to implement a ■ plan which was not practicable. His’ independent status in United States | life and his new role as a leading, educator of American youth could have allowed him honourably to reject the command of a "paper’’ defence force. Diplomats here are confident that his determinedly tactful personality, his very presence in Europe, will be important new factors favouring the successful integration of national units into the international army. They bank on General “Ike” heavily. General Eisenhowgp is expected, after arriving in Europe, to have a ’Cooks tour of the capital cities. The prim- , ary objective will be to discuss each , nation’s contribution to the interna-, tional army. He will thus begin his | command as a diplomat as well as a | soldier. Some diplomats think the] political phrase of the command, might be the most ticklish part of ■ the duties. Those knowing General Eisenhower best, are certain that he , is possibly the only military man ot. the Western world who could do the | job successfully. ’ “There is genepal approval among. diplomats and soldier’s of the choice of General A. Gruenther as chief of staff. He played an important part in j the Italian campaign when he was chief of staff to General Mark Clark., commander of the sth. army under i Field Marshal Alexander. He had; full share of the worries and sue- ■ cess and achieving the coordination of a polyglot army. There were more i national units under Field Marshal I Alexander than in any other Sec-. ond World war campaign. Generali Gruenther was the American mainly, responsible for the close working, with the general command of the American divisions. The five years since European, capitals knew General Eisenhower as | the supreme commander of the Allied Forces, have traced lines on his face, | but have not marred his energy or , mental or physical power. He is at I 60 as brisk in movement and decision | as when he was planning the in-I vasion of Normandy. Hjg hair is thinner, the lines under his eyes and around the corners of his mouth are

Belief That Days Of Annoying Negotiation Are Over

9 (Reed. 6 p.in.).—The communing of the North Atlantic Council ern European and United States