Evening star., 1943-09-20
By the Associated Press.

/
| Tert OF the editorial in the cur
rent Army and NaUy Journal
concerning Gen. George c. Mar
shall follo,DS.'
We refuse to believe that there
is any foundation for the reports
that Gen. Marshall is to be relieved
as chief of staff and sent to London
to be commander in chief of the
European theater of war. Such
action would shock the Army, the
Congress and the country.
The assignment could be bally-
hooed to appear as a reward for
the exceptional service the general
has rendered as chief of staff, as
evidence of the closeness of his re-
lations with the high command of
Britain and as preliminary to de-
livery of more blows against Ger
many.
In fact, however, although rec
ognizably the post is of primary
strategic Importance, his detail to
it would mean his confinement to
a single theater of operations,
whereas he now is the general in
command of all our own Army forces
throughout the world. Moreover,
his absence from Washington would
deprive the President of the val
liable advice the latter has said he
has received from him in connection
with military activities everywhere.
Present Post Important.
The truth is the global character
of this conflict has given to the chief
of staff an Importance not attained
in any other war in which we have
been engaged. Under the President,
this officer really performs the func-
tions of commanding general of all
our Army forces in addition to his
3rduous administrative and planning
duties.
Besides aiding in formulating the
strategic plans they are to follow, he
is in constant communication with
our Army commanders at home and
abroad, giving them direction and
determining and meeting their
needs. Furthermore, through visits
such as those he already has made
to North Africa and to London, he
is able personally to inspect the
fighting troops in operational areas,
pass upon the uses to which they
are to be put, and advise on their
dispositions, etc. In consequence. his
membership on the Combined Chiefs
of Staff enables him to fit our forces
intelligently into the larger picture
of United Nations strategy.
Shift Would Be Complicated.
A new chief of staff would be
compelled to earn the confidence
of the Army. the Congress and the
country which Gen. Marshall now
enjoys to an extent without parallel.
in war. This would mean adapta-
ton of the service to the policies
the successor would inaugurate.
Further, it would serve as serious
handicap to our war effort be-
cause necessary legislation con-
stantly must be sought and prompt
acquiescence by Congress naturally
depends upon the degree OF faith
1t has in the chief of staff.
AS the public appreciates, 1t was
Gen. Marshall, who, at the instance
of the President, created the power
full armies now on fields OF battle,
under whose direction our military
establishment has been reorganized
to greater efficiency, who was re-
sponsible for the battle training
given to the men, who expanded
the air component to the strength
which he visioned modern war re-
quires, who has performed his work
with a minimum of friction and no
scandal, and whose intimate rela-
tions with Admiral King and Gen.
Arnold (chief of Army Air Forces
have brought about the effective
coordination of the Army, the Navy
and the air forces.
Allied Cooperation.
Acting under the Presidents In
struction, he has labored zealously
to insure the fullest measure of CO.
operation with our Allies and espe-
cially the British. a policy based
upon the Presidents and his own ap-
probation of the necessity of safe
guarding American interests. He has
declined to be led into adventures
not directly aimed at winning the
war, however attractive they seemed
at first blush. Rather has he coldly
studied every proposal, obtained
thereon the advice of his trusted
staff and war college, discussed it
with Admiral King and his asso-
ciates and then presented his con-
clusionS to the President for the
latter's decision and communicated
that decision to the Combined Chiefs
of Staff.
Praised by President.
The President never has failed at
any appropriate opportunity to tell
the country of his satisfaction at
having Gen. Marshall as a member
Of his personal staff. AS he is respon-
sible finally for the entire war effort
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