The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-25
SMASHING BLOW
 AT NAZIS SEEN
(Continued from Page D

by nomination of a high-ranking American diplomat as adrninistra- tive director for that territory.
 There seems to be considerable feeling that North African problems must be adjusted quickly for both the military and political health of the United Nations. The situation there has been further complicated by the selection of Marcel B. Pey- routen to be governor of Algeria. The real story of how and why Pey- routen was selected may not be known for weeks or months. The State Department version seems to be that he was chosen at the insist ance of Lieut.. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander-in- chief of French, British and American forces in the western sector of the North African front. The implications of that are that the State Depart ment opposed the selection but ac- cepted Eisenhower's judgment.
 But from other non-military sources which are adversely critical of the State Department role in North Africa, but which are leaning over backward to be sympathetic with Eisenhower, the story is dif- ferent. From those sources the ex- planation Is that Robert D. Murphy, the State Departments representa- tive in North Africa and General "Ike's" official diplomatic adviser, picked Peyrouten and recommended him to the general who took Mur- pfy's advice. Eisenhower Is said to have taken the position that he had been provided with a deplo- matic adviser and felt bound to take his advice since he, himself, is soldier and no expert on mterr1a- tional affairs.
 It seems possible that both Pey- routen and Murphy might be squeezed auot although there IS no evidence here yet that President Roosevelt has agreed to any such plar, or that Secretary of State Cordell Hull would take 1t lying down.
 Coincidentally, there is developing gentle campaign. to supersede Eisenhower in North Africa with a British general. The War Depart ment would not like that and in a showdown Hull might be expected to back the American although such matters are for decision by higher authorities than the secretaries of state and war.
 But in the past few days there have been dispatches from London and one from Eisenhower's own headouarters in Algeria-suGgesting that the forthcoming junction Of the British Libyan forces from the east with Eisenhower's Allied com- mand from the west will lead a new North African command setup.
 In that event, the British candi- date probably would be Lieut.. Gen Sir R. L. G. Alexander, British commander in the middle east, whose armies have run the Axis forces out of Libya and into Tunisia. Alexander has not yet licked the German African Corps which went deep into Egypt last year. But he has Field Marshal Erwin Rom. mel on the run and the hats or military men are off to him here as well as in London. Y
 When the Axis finally is run out of Tunisia, Alexander's army will meet and join with Eisenhower's and someone may be given top com mand. The American candidate would. be General "Ike" although some observers believe Gen. George 0, Marshall ultimately will move into active overseas command.
 The American chief of staff's name was mentioned the other day i'm a dispatch from Algiers whihc said simply that there was no con- firmation there of Washington re- ports that Marshall might take over the command of all North African operations. The fact that his name was so mentioned, even in nega- tive way, aroused some interest here.