Evening star., 1945-07-08

represent his district until 1924 when,
as related, cole" Blease defeated him
in a race for the Senate. But after
six years Of law practice, he tried again
for the upper chamber in 1880 and was
elected by substantial vote.
His public life has been, in the main,
eminently successful, but 1t is a sue
cess based on early struggles against
adversely.
There is little on the Byrnes record
In the form of public speeches or state
ments to indicate the specific policies
that he may be expected to follow as
Secretary of State. AS noted earlier,
his Senate votes would indicate that,
like most Southern Senators, he be-
lieves fully in international co-opera-
ton and is not likely to be influenced
by the isolationist blocs in America
which have been powerful during some
periods.
Too, there are indications that he is
on good terms with Russian leaders
The maintenance of friendly relations
is likely to be one of the most i'm
portant problems of his administration
When his appointment as Secretary
of State was announced last Monday,
Soviet Ambassador Andrei A. Gromyko
happened to be at the State Depart
ment and was told of the nomination
by reporters. He expressed delight at
the news, and recalled his friendly as
sociation with Mr.. Byrnes at the Yalta
Conference and earlier.
After Mr. Byrnes returned from Yalta
with President Roosevelt he appeared,
in a talk with newspapermen, to be
somewhat sympathetic with Premier
Stalins demand-widely criticized at
the time-for sphere of influence in
Poland and other Eastern European
countries.
Stain he explained, wants a
strong Poland because twice in Is years
the Polish corridor was a doorway for
Germany to invade Russia
Acquainted With Leaders.
Although as pointed out in the be-
ginning, Mr.. Byrnes does not have a
long-term background in foreign affairs,
his close association with Mr.. RooSe-
velt during his 18-month period as
Assistant President" and his attend
ance at the Yalta Conference have
brought him into personal contact with
many world leaders-including Prime
AE;,je@ar rsl,y,rehiIJ opd prarrier Stain
and also have given him closeup view
of present international problems. AS
director of war mobilization, he was, Of
course, In daily touch with decisions
on war supplies and shipping as well as
foreign relief During trip to Europe
lsat fall with Gen. George c. Marshall,
chief of staff, he had an opportunity to
familiarize himself with the European
military situation.
There are widespread reports that the
new Secretary of State soon will under
take a thoroughgoing reorganization OF
the State Department. Coming into
office, as he does, with new presiden-
tial administration. he is in favorable
position to do this, for, presumably, ne
has made no commitments to the men
whom he inherits as members of his
staff. After an administration has
"crystalized," sweeping changes in per-
sonnel become more difficult.
To deal effectively with the varied
problems of the postwar world, many
observers believe, the State Department
needs not only men trained as profess
sional diplomats, but also as specialists
in such diverse fields as shipping, COM
merce, mining, agriculture, petroleum
production and others. During the war
many of these specialists have been
brought into the department, and there
is reason to believe that this trend will
continue.
There is one post in the State Depart
ment, however, where experience has
shown that veteran professional Dip
lomat of sharp mind and long training
Is needed. That is in the ONCE of the
Undersecretary of State. That need is
particularly acute when the Secretary,
as in the case of Mr.. Byrnes, is a man
whose value lies in his rich maturity
and wealth Of personal contacts rather
than in his specialized knowledge. The
Undersecretary acts as chief of staff
to the Secretary. His primary job is to
keep the machinery of the State De-
partment and the Foreign Service rum
ming smoothly and to do that he must
know them thoroughly.
There have been widespread reports
that the present Undersecretary, Joseph
c. Grew. will not be retained in his post
If this is true, it is probable that Mr..
Byrnes will select as his chief aide
some one else OF equal experience and
background in the diplomatic field.
Such team Ito use an expression
popularized by former Secretary Of
State Stettinius- should Be unbeatable.