Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-07-31

THE success OF the Alleu armies III
L advancing the conquest and occu-
patton of the island of Sicily has recon-
mended two actions to Gen. Eisenhower
The first is the appointment of a field
commander in Sicily directing, from a
general headquarters on the island, the
American Seventh Army and the British
Eighth Army, which includes the Canadian
contingent.
During the first phase of the invasion
apparently both Of these armies in Sicily
were directed by Gen. Eisenhower himself
from his headquarters in Africa.
But these armies have now become
separate expeditionary force, distinct from
the Allied troops on the African continent
and a recognized military principle is that
no chief commander should attempt to
command a group Of armies, or a series of
expedtionary forces, and at the same time
retain personal command of any one of
them.
This is the same principle that led Cen
Pershing in France, as soon as he COM
menced the organization Of the American
Second Army, to turn over the command
of the First Army, then at the height of
the battle between the Meuse and the
Argonne forest, to Gen Hunter Liggett.
NOV that the Sicilian invasion is moving
~ rapidly to success, Gen. Eisenhower
and his staff officers are undoubtedly
turning their minds to the next military
offensive-let us say, an Allied occupation
Of the Aegean Sea area or an invasion of
Sardinia and Corsica-and immediate re-
sponsibility for the conclusion of the
Sicilian battle is transferred TO a subordi-
nate leader.
Accordingly, Gen. Eisenhower has
appointed his deputy commander, Gen.
Alexander, to the command in Sicily
The second action taken by Gen.
Eisenhower is the designation of Gen.
Alexander as the military governor of
Sicily.
In previous articles / have endeavored
to show that this combination of military
government with the chief command of
the fighting forces is the only practical
way to assure the cooperation of all men
and measures for the objects of the war
A general having chief command Of
the fighting forces. and at the same time
full powers of government Of occupied
territory, requires two stats and, in effect,
two chiefs Of staff.
The first is the general staff, which
assists him in the command of his army
or armies, through which his military
orders are issued and by which he is aided
in direction, supervision, inspection and
control.
His other staff is his body Of assistants
who attend to carrying out his orders
with respect to the public administration
and the civilian affairs placed under his
orders as military governor.
THE officer designated as Gen. Alex
L anders assistant in charge of civilian
affairs is Maj. Gen. Lord Renell of Rodd
and his chief deputy is Brig Gen. Mac
Sherry of the L. S. Army.
A considerable STAFF of American and
British officers who have had special
training for military government IN Italian
territory is at the disposition of these
officers
An official announcement states that
this military government, the first, |
believe, to be set up by the Allied
nations in this war. will have no political
implications of any kind, will have no
negotiation with exiles or refugees, but
will suppress the Fascist Party in Sicily
and dscountenance fascism.
THE Italian system of administration
1 which the Allied military government
boty ranlaces IL of fvDa IN r,oaka fba