Evening star., 1945-06-19
Eisenhower Needed
In U. S., Says Writer
Would Be Invaluable in Shaping
Far East Strategy, He Adds

Would Be Invaluable in Shaping
Far East Strategy, He Adds
By David Laurence
Gen. Eisenhower demonstrated by his
address to Congress and by his mani
festation Of simple, Straightforward
personality why he has done such
masterful job as supreme commander
of Allied forces in Europe.
The Congress gave the general re-
ception which was unrivaled in warmth
and spontaneity. He took it all modest
ly and gracefully. His appearance IN
the House chamber was brief. His de-
livery Of prepared speech was clear
cut, and altogether he revealed himself
as the gallant personality which the
advance comments from abroad had de-
scribed him to be.
Gen. Eisenhower's speech was a mas
terpiece Of objective writing on an occa-
sion that he managed somehow to make
impersonal. He took the tribute as ap-
plause for the armies he commanded.
He paid homage to the armies OF our
Allies and to their leaders and also to
the other branches Of the armed serv-
ices.
A man like Gen. Eisenhower is too
good to be wasted on a routine job, and
that's what the Craftsmanship of the
Allied Control Commission will doubt
less bscome-a task for an administra-
tor rather than fighting soldier. The
other day a rumor arose that Gen.
Marshall was thinking Of retiring. On
its face 1t was not explained as having
any connection with the return of Gen.
Eisenhower, but it may well have.
Picked by Marshall.
Gen. Marshall originally selected Gen.
Eisenhower for the European job. The
Chief of Staff is proud of his protege
and If the truth were known probably
would like to see the latter succeed
him. Gen. Marshall is the SELF -effacing
type of man who is all too rare in pub
lie life.
In this connection Secretary stinson
said to a press conference the other
day that he didn't want to hear any,
thing more about rumors Of Gen. Mar
shall's retirement. This was possibly
way of squelching all talk of an imme-
diate retirement. But 1t may be that
Gen. Marshall eventually will be ele-
waited to rank and position comparable
to that of Gen. Pershing. He could
remain as member of the joint chiefs
Of staff and as a presidential adviser
on military affairs. If in due time it
is Gen. Marshall's desire to bring Gen.
Eisenhower into the joint chiefs of staff
that would be one way to begin the
process of gradual retirement. Gen.
Eisenhowers knowledge of world prob
ton. and he could be particularly help
full in connection with the plans for
| the prosecution Of the war against Ja-
| pan.
| Clearly, with a war yet to be won in
the Far East, Gen. Eisenhower can be
| invaluable in a high position In the
planning Of the remaining months or
years OF our Far Eastern war. Gen.
! Marshall possibly has had that in mind.
He has not disclosed his thoughts on
the subject, but it Is not dificult to
| guess that he thinks Gen. Eisenhower
can serve his country far better in some
higher position than As chairman Of
an Allied Control Commission sitting
in Berlin, dealing with the thousand
and one petty problems OF administra-
ton that must arise.
Such Men Are Rare.
Men like Gen. Eisenhower are Yare,
Here is a military man with q broad
knowledge of soldering and yet With
an innate faculty for handling diplo-
matically all the many kinds of friction
that arise in the operation Of . war.
He can draw together personalities that
needed to be welded together and he can
harmonic differences between the
armed services. He is one of the few
men who now have had the experience
of unifying ground armies, air forces
and sea power.
Unfortunately Gen. Eisenhower cam
not stay in the United States long on
this trip as he has many things to
clean up abroad, but In another few
months some permanent post doubtless
will be given him and the impression
persists that this is bound up in some
way with the future of Gen. Marshall
As for the present chief Of staff. he
Is a model of tact and diplomacy him
self and he enjoys popularity in Con-
gress and ofiicial circles which has
given him an enviable place in the Ma
tion's history. He is healthy and vigor-
ous, but If he wants Gen. Eisenhower,
q younger man, to come into his place,
it is because he wants to see the Ma.
ton get sooner the benefit of Gen.
Eisenhower's talents In connection with
the remaining months of a war whose
aftermath may be even more difficult
than that Of the European war.
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