Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-05-08
Marshall Asks Shift
OF Occupation Job
To Civilian Control
BY Gornett D. Horner

pJ SQfHStt ". IIVIHSi
Secretary of State Marshall
wants administration of the
American occupation zones In
> Germany, Austria and Korea
shifted from the Army to the
State Department.
Taking an exactly opposite stand
on this issue from that of his
predecessor, James F. Byrnes, Gen.
Marshall thus gave an unexpected
turn to a dispute which has been
going on for months.
The Secretary's views were out
lined yesterday at his first news
conference since returning from the
foreign ministers meeting at Mos
COW.
Favors Civilian Control.
Conceding that he Is not pre-
pared to say the transfer will be eff
fected, Gen. Marshall remarked that
when he was Chief of Staff he IA
vored civilian administrati ton of the
occupied zones and that he still
does.
Gen. Marshall said the State De-
partment might make some mistakes
at the outset, but 1t is important to
start divorcing the military from the
task Of administering the three
areas.
The Army still would be used to
maintain order and back up the
occupation authorities.
Mr. Byrnes, contending the State
Departments role is to make policy
rather than administer 1t, success
fully opposed suggestions last year
by Secretary of War Patterson and
Gen. Eisenhower that the Army be
relieved of bessing the show.
Since the Army first took over,
civilians have replaced military men
in an increasing number of posts in
the occupation zones. The War De-
partment nevertheless remains pri-
marily responsible for administra-
ton and the governors of all
four zones-including Japan-are
generals.
Should the shift be made, Gen.
Marshall told reporters, diversion
Of appropriations from the War to
the State Department would be
necessary.
Reviews World Situation.
Reviewing foreign policy problems
around the world, Gen. Marshall
said also:
Frances needs for more coal and
wheat were discussed yesterday with
French Ambassador Henri Bonnet.
Steps to raise Germanys per-
mitted level of industry and to i'm
prove Japans economic situation are
under consideration.
A program for intensifying eco
nomic rehabilitation and develop
ment of political independence in
Korea should be ready to be sub
mitted to Congress soon.
He is looking into relations with
Argentina and the possibility of
holding a projected inter- American
defense conference at Rio de Janiero
this year but Is not ready to an
t1ounce anything yet.
s4--G enerahssimo Chang Kai-shek's
recent reorganization of the Chi
rese government Is a step in the
right direction, and he hopes it will
lead to something constructive in
the way of representative govern
ment for China.
Palestine yiews Unchanged. ]
The United States has not changed
Its views about Palestine but is not
pressing them at the moment, be-
neving the best chance for an &C
ceptable settlement of that prob
lem lies with neutral" United
Nations committee.
The present Greek government
Is certainly not the kind he likes,
and he hopes to see improvement in
connection with the $500, 1000, 900
Greek Turkish aid program.
Gen. Marshall refused to say
whether France has been assured
any greater coal and wheat sup
plies but did say no proposition for
extending extraordinary assistance
to France to combat communism,
along the lines of the Greek-Turk-
ish aid proposals, is being considered.
Gen Marshall was asked at one
point whether there was any men,
ton Of the atomic bomb in his
conference with Prime Minister
Stain in Moscow recently. He re-
fused to answer. He also refused
any comment on Harold E. Stassen's
interview with Stain.