The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-04
Washington Calling
BY MARQUIS CHILDS

BY MARQUIS CHILDS
LONDON, Feb. 3.-The European Advisory
commission has sat for many months, con-
sidering first the surrender terms and then
the conditions under which the occupation Of
Germany will be carried out
In the spring of last year the American dele
cation on the tripartite commission asked for
directives so that American policy could be
clearly formulated Failing, after consider
able interval, to get the desired instructions,
the group in London took the initiative and
worked out set of directves which were sub
mitted to Washington.
Certain of these were returned with an okay
from all concerned But on others the joint
chiefs of staff withheld approval and in effect
pigeon holed them, since under Presidential
order authority in the first two phases of
the occupation of Germany rests with the
military This is an Illustration of the divi-
ded responsibility that has resulted in delay
ing vital decisions questions that are
just around the corner
The British have been tearing their hair
over the lack of any decisiveness among the
several American groups sharing RESPONSE
blity for planning the occupation of Germany.
By cntrast at any rate, the British operation
is streamlined.
British policy is thoroughly integrated among
all agencies having anything to do with the oc-
cupation. There is one government policy and
it is unnlistakable. No pickering goes on be-
tween rival agencies as to the nature and d.
rection of that policy Civilian experts who
know their respective jobs are to be made
use of wherever necessary. The whole is uni
fled through a special committee with au-
thority clearly laid down.
There is some tendency to put the blame
on the Russians for the delays, but the facts
would seem to show that the Americans must
shoulder larger share of it. Its true the Rus
slams have been severely handicapped by
lack of personnel on the diplomatic and econ
onlic level Foreign Minister Molotov and two
or three top men around him must 60 over all
documents before they can be approved
Theirs is severe physical burden. This natur
ally consumes time, but when they have put
their stamp of approval on document it is
final and unchangable
The nearest prescription to a cure for
American difficulties over Germany that I've
heard could come only through quick and de-
cisive action by President Roosevelt. The
first step would be to name a man of I'M
questioned capacity with the rank of Presi-
Dental adviser on German affairs.
With the authority of the White House be-
hind him, he could organize an inter-depart-
mental committee to carry out the policy which
he would formulate with the President. On
such a committee, the War and Navy de-
partments would have representation and they
would of course participate in carrying out
the policy.
"A
occupation of Germany exists in Washington
today. But it has little authority and it's de-
cisions generally dominated by The de-
sires of military men who are up against the
gun of responsibility.
AS write this in the quiet of London night
I am beset by sense of futility What seem
to have been describing is merely another OF
those factional disputes between bureaucrats
and power grabbers in the familiar Washing
ton pattern.
Yet it is, God help us all, the stuff of
through delay and confusion or perhaps just
my default fail to take a responsible
part in winning Democratic victory, then we
we shall open the way to the utter defeat OF
all our hopes.
The achievement of the young men who
are fighting this war is beyond compare 1t
cannot be measured by anything that we who
live in comfort and security back OF the lines
can possibly know.
But we can give them something more than
dead end of confusion and uncertainty. We
must not let it be said again that wars are
won by young men and lost by old men.
Looking back on the record which I have
tried to sketch in briefly, it makes long wind
ed arguments in America ever what to do with
Germany seem ridiculous, even fantastic.
Those arguments imply we have series OF
choices which can make The real question
is whether we have the capacity to carry out
any policy at all.
Copyright 1945 by United Feature
Syndicate Inc)