Evening star., 1943-09-22
CIamor in Congress
To Block Transfer Of
Marshall Subsidinq

AClAoIOIl III CdUCu III UlIlCldl ClT -
cles by reports that powerful
interests" were seeking to side
track Gen. George C. Marshall
appeared to be easing today in
the wake of a late development
which pictured the reported shift
of the Army Chief of Staff as a
move that would elevate him to
the sup1eme command of all
Anglo American forces.
While Washington seethed with
rumors concerning Gen. Marshall's S
future, an Associated Press story by
Kirke L. Simpson declared without
qualification that the Army chief is
the Roosevelt-Churchill choice for a
worldwide field command, and that
only the approval of the British
war cabinet is necessary to make
the assignment effective.
Recurrent reports-both from Lon
don and Washington-that Gen.
Marshall was slated for a new as
signment were brought sharply into
focus early this month when Con-
stantlne Brown of The Evening Star
staff said the general was to be re-
placed in his present Office and as
signed to direct American operations
In Europe. Over the last week end
the Army and Navy journal de-
clared that powerful interests"
wanted to sidetrack the general and
that the contemplated shift was in
line with their ideas.
Difference on Strategy Reported.
The powerful interests" were not
identified nor was any reason cited
for the desire to sidetrack the chief
OF staff, but-according to some OBJ
servers-Gen. Marshall's ideas on
strategy have differed from those of
highly-placed British officials. Gen.
Marshall, it was said, has con-
sistently argued for a frontal attack
on the German fortress" from
England without further delay,
declaring that it was the only way
to bring the war to a quick finish,
even though the casualty list would
be high.
The viewpoint has been that the
time for such drive is not yet ripe.
The Simpson article brought gen.
orally an enthusiastic reaction in
Congress where protests were grow
ing over the possibility of any ar
rangement that would subordinate
Gen. Marshall.
Senator Bridges, Republican. of
New Hampshire, member of the
Military Affairs Committee, summed
up the situation:
Il dislike to see him leave as chief
OF staff of the American Armies, but
If he is to be global commander Of
the Anglo-American Armies of the
world, that is greater opportunity
for service and I am gratified that he
has been selected
There was no immediate reaction
from the White House, and in Lon
don, the Associated Press said
Prime Minister Churchill refused
comment.
One official but competent source
there said Marshall would be one
of the best leaders in the world for
such post. He has shown by his
leadership that he is qualified for
such a post"
The Simpson story was given wide
credence in London, where Gen.
Marshall is popular, and it was
carried on the front page OF all
morning newspapers.
The Marshall appointment, Mr..
Simpsons informant said, was de-
cided on at the Roosevelt Churchill
conference in Quebec.
The incumbent of such a post
would direct the overall strategy,
not only in Europe but the Pacific.
and the immediate concern un-
doubtedly would be frontal at
tack on the continent.
A supreme commander would be
In a position to assure close CO.
ordination among all Anglo-Ameri-
can armies. Such coordination has
been supplied to date by the COM
bined chiefs of staff, of which Gen.
Marshall is principal member, but
military observers have long ex-
pected that when the time for nu-
merous and large-scale actions ap-
preached this remote control sys-
tenn would be supplanted by a single
on-the-spot director.
Called Toughest Soldier"
In discussing the appointment, the
Simpson article quoted an authority
as declaring that our toughest lob
is to reach Berlin and Marshall is
the toughest soldier we (the Allies,
have to do it,"
1t also is certain. the writer said
that Gen. Marshall stands so high
in President Roosevelt's estimation
that he would not be required to
take any assignment to which h
objected.
A further argument advanced was
that in Gen. Marshall the Anglo
American joint chiefs of staff saw
the only officer of either nation to