The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-09-18
, Observations
. Robert Murphy
Gives Answers
to Questions
BY Helen Esssry

A recent savage attack on Robert
Murphy. newly appointed political
adviser TO Gen. Dwight Eisenhower
In Germany. made me more than
ordinarily anxious to meet Murphy.
When war and politics were seeth-
ing in North Africa, heard stories
about Murphy that marked him as
a man of courage and action. Not
a rubber stamp diplomat, not man
who tries 10 please all factions and
too many nationalities. But man
who sees what is necessary TO be
done for his own country. And
does II, without looking back. With
ou apology.
| was more than ever convinced
OF the value OF my understanding
of the man when | discovered that
the basis for the attack on Murphy
as the proper appointee in Germany
came from a book written by a
Frenchman, Pertinax. The Grave.
diggers OF France is the title OF
the book.
You could not honestly expect
PertinaX's opinion OF Murphy and
OF his handling OF the troublesome
Darlan not to be influenced by
Pertinax's own political hopes for
France.
Pertinax, of course. has been
away from France. England and
North Africa quite a long time
now. So surely IL doesn't make
kindergarten sense to take his
word for the conduct OF affairs IN
North africa and for Mr.. Murphy3
behavior against the word of Sec
rotary OF State Cordell Hull and the
State Department and War Depart.
ment.
Naturally, didn't expect Murphy
TO tell all that he knew about
North Africa and Darlan at a first
meeting with me. an inquring
columnist. But, as said some
time back, wanted 10 see for my.
self what kind of man this storm
center OF an lrishman really is.
The interview was easily arrang-
ed. There was no hedging about
from a secretary "Well-er.er-
Mr. Murphy is extremely busy.
When he comes back to Washing
ton-he'll be able to see you-per-
haps." The hour was set for the
same afternoon. And within a short
time was shaking hands with the
tall, loose hung. thin. sandyhaired
nh q. Lot O. ~
biggest postwar responsibilities.
General Eisenhower's advisor
didn't look remotely viliain-or a
target for violent criticism. On the
contrary here was a likable, I'M
affected American citizen. He
wasn't State Departmental, II he
did have nice manners. It's an
Irish characteristic He had the
poise OF a man who had been many
places, known many people. and
still found the world agreeable.
What plans are being made for
the future OF Germany? What kind
OF government will be set up
there" These were my first ques-
tions. Murphy said he had come
to Washington 10 get instructions
on what was TO be done in Ger
many. However, he would say this
much:
The government OF Germany
as set up by the Allies will be
completely military government. II
could not be anything else, for
long time"
will General Eisenhower direct
this military government"
only for the United States" re-
piled Murphy. Both Russia and
Great Britain will appoint stats
comparable with our own. The
present plan is for sort OF tri.
partite government with each II
the three big powers sharing re.
sponsibility equally
THE chance for success OF such
an arrangement"
''Tf we want success for ourselves
or our Allies TO come out OF Ger.
many after this war we must stick
TO our task there. The Versailles
Treaty which has been criticized
would have been 2 not too bad
working agreement II we had held
TO It's tenets, Now as before the
security Of our future relationship
with a defeated enemy depends
largely on tenacity.
Our success in dealing with Ger
manv will be PRINCIPALLY a matter
OF education We will have 10 edu-
cate the Germans ont OF thei- faith
in Nazi doctrines. This is going TO
be challenging task
$50 deenly have the Germans. cs-
pecially the German youth. been
indoctrinated with Hitler's theories
that they feel dedicated The
German prisoners OF war to whom
have talked feel this in spite OF
defeat Our only hope OF lasting
improvement in relations with Ger
many Is to show the people that
their way is wrong"