Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-16
Allied MiIitory Government
BY THOMAS n. HENRY,
Star War Correspondent.

LONDON (By Mail. - When
Allied forces land on the European
continent the supreme authority,
both civil and military. will be the
Commander in Chief Gen. Eisen-
hover
This is unquestionable, of course,
so far as occupied enemy territory
is concerned. 1t is doctrine as old
as war The conqueror is the boss.
The power is limited only by various
articles in the Hague Convention of
1907 which prohibit unnecessary
cruelty, etc. All the countries in
the pathway of Allied troops signed
this convention. Their very sigma
lures are an acknowledgment that
they recognize the age-old prin-
ciple.
But, acting solely ON his own
judgment, the commander in chief
may delegate his authority over
civil affairs, or any part of them, to
anybody he pleases. In other words
he can recognize a local govern
ment. as he sees fit and 1t is not
necessary that any of the govern
ments he represents affirm this
recognition for the period Of the
occupation. sse - ~S
:. Local Aid Has Advantages.
1t obviously is greatly to his, ad-
vantage to do this, wherever a
reasonably responsible local govern
ment can be found. Knowing loca,
conditions, such government /.
far more competent to run its own
schools, police, public health serv-
ices, hospitals, fire departments
courts. etc. The goal is to get the
essential public services necessary
for civilized life running in an
orderly fashion with the least inter-
ruption possible, and the least drain
on the resources of the Army.
But the prospects ahead are at
tended by various circumstances
which complicate, although they
do not essentially change. the over
all picture For the greater part
of the territory over which Allied
Armies may be expected to pass fol
some time is friendly territory
which has been under German &C.
cupation. Does the right of the
conqueror hold in such territories:
The consensus of military lawyers
is that it does, but it would be
absurd to exercise it beyond the
degree absolutely necessary for the
safety Of troops.
The cases of Holland, Belgium
and Norway are relatively simple
Each of these countries has func-
tioning government now operating
in London which has the complete
confidence of the Allied authorities
In two cases the actual sovereign!
are here. In the case of Belgium
the King is a prisoner of war ane
always has insisted that as such
he has no sovereign powers. HI
has resisted strenouously all per.
Suasions of the Germans to give u,
his prisoner-o OF -WSr status, for fea
this might complicate the status O
the Belgian cabinet in London
which is the recognized govern
ment.
Civil Setup Ready.
In each case there is q well
organized, efficient civil affairs set
up ready to go into action as rapid,
as the country is reclaimed from
the occupation forces. The pro
grams have been worked out t
fine details. Quite obviously thu
commander in chief will simpl
delegate his authority to thes,
agencies with American and Brit
ish civil affairs officers only actinI
as liaison officers with the loca
authorities to make known the com
mander in chiefs wishes and t.
help where help is needed
The Danish problem is somewha
more complicated. King Christian
remains the head of the govern
ment. The country is neutral
never having been incorporated int
the Reich. although occupied b