Evening star., 1946-09-07
High U. 5. Officials
Laud Byrnes' Speech;
See Reds On Defense
BY the Associoied Press

Secretary of State Byrnes put
Russia squarely on the diplomatic
defensive in Germany by his Stutt-
CART address, in the opinion of high
State Department officials.
The speech laid down long
range program for restoration of
German self-government. The off,
cials called it the most important
American foreign policy statement
since President Truman's 1945 Navy
Day address in New York.
Although they could not be quoted
directly on the statement by their
chief, the officials said Mr.. Byrnes'
main objective had been to assume
the diplomatic offensive in Germany
and put the Soviet Union on some
thing of a spot.
They based this view both on
their advance knowledge of the rea-
sons for the Stuttgart address and
on a comparison of it with the state
ment on Germany of Soviet Foreign
Minister Molotov in Paris July 10.
Molotov Statement Cited.
In fact, they said, it was the Molo-
tov statement-widely used for po-
lltlcal effect by the German Com
munlsts-which prompted American
occupation authorities to ask Mr..
Byrnes to come to Stuttgart for his
vigorous restatement and projection
Of United States policy.
Most officials concede that many
of Mr.. Byrnes' aims are not posi-
BILE of early fulfillment. They reason,
however, that Mr.. Byrnes answered
the charge that this country has no
positive policy in Germany, gave the
non-Communist elements there some
ammunition, and scored diplomatic
points on Mr.. Molotov on nearly
every subject covered by the policy
statements of the two men.
One State Department official,
Undersecretary William L. Clayton,
authorized direct quotation that the
Byrnes speech was "a very fine,
fortnight statement of the United
States position on Germany"
Secretary of the Navy Forrestal
said it was IAN excellent speech
which reflected the sentiments of the
American people"
Senator Stewart, Democrat, of
Tennessee, told reporter he favorS
Mr.. Byrnes' idea of developing the i
Germans gradually toward self-gov-
ernment, under proper Allied super
vision. Senator Stewart said the Rus
slams have been ''unco-operative" in
getting the Germans on their feet, |
and there are indications they have
made virtual slaves" of the Ger
mans in their occupied zone.
Favors Self Restoration.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, of
South Carolina said: Germany
ought to be allowed to 60 ahead
and restore itself as a nation. The
people of Germany ought to have
the right to decide their own form
OF government. We can't force any
form of government on them, for
If we do it will not last
Other comment:
Senator Bridges, Republican, of
New Hampshire: Il think Secretary
ByrneS' proposals are a belated but
correct step in the right direction"
Senator Hickenlooper, Republican.
of Iowa: Il believe we must have a |
united Gearman people. 1t was a
mistake to carve Germany up into
several parts in the first place.
There must be controls to prevent .
rearmament and renewed spread |
of NaZiiSm."
Senator Baybank, Democrat, of
South Carolina Secretary Byrnes'
proposals are excellent. They should
be carried out as soon as possible"
Mr.. Clayton was asked at a news
conference whether the Byrnes
speech indicates the United States
now believes the German people ca
pable of operating their own CEN
trail government. He indicated that
still is in the future.
Mr.. Clayton expressed a hope that
the French and Russians soon will |
unity their zones in Germany eco
nomically with those of the United |
States and Britain.