Evening star., 1947-07-22
Concern Over Russia
Seen in Boh|en Choice
To Succeed Cohen

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To Succeed Cohen
Selection of Charles E. Bohlen,
personal adviser on Russian affairs
to four Secretaries of State, to sue
coed Benjamin v. Cohen as Coun-
selor Of the State Department was
seen today as a new indication of
official concern over relations with
the Soviet Union.
President Truman announced the
resignation of Mr.. Cohen late yes
terday, ending IA years of Govern
ment service for the last of the orig
inal brain trust" of early Roose-
welt administration days.
The President Immediately NOM
mated Mr.. Bohlen, 42-year-old vet
eran of II years in the foreign serv-
ice, during which he became known
as one of Americas two top ex-
perts on Russia, to take his place
in the high-ranking post.
The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee gave quick approval to-
day to the nomination.
Was Adviser to Roosevelt.
Mr.. Bohlen acted as adviser to
the late President Roosevelt and to
President Truman and interpreter
in their talks with Soviet Prime
Minister Stain at all the wartime
Big Three conferences.
After three periods of duty in the
American Embassy in Moscow, Mr..
Bohlen was chief of the State De-
partment's Eastern European Affairs
Division in 1914 when former Secre-
tary of State Hull selected him as
Russian specialist in the American
delegation to the Dumbarton Oaks
conversations that led to creation of
the United Nations.
He continued in special advisory
capacity with succeeding Secretaries
Stettinius, Byrnes and Marshall. His
appointment to the counselor post,
giving him rank on par with an
Assistant Secretary, was asked by
Gen. Marshall.
Resignation Effective July 81.
Mr.. Cohen, who with Thomas
(Tommy the Cork Corcoran, formed
the famous team of advisers to Mr..
Roosevelt in the early New Deal, was
brought into the State Department
by Mr.. Byrnes in 1945. His resigna-
ton, contemplated since Mr.. Byrnes
stepped out of official life last jan
uary, is effective July 81.
Mr.. Cohen wrote Mr.. Truman that
after IA years he wished "to take a
rest from all official responsibilities. "
The former brain truster" worked
closely with the White House as a
special assistant to four Attorneys
General between 1888 and 1941,
| when he went to London as legal
adviser in the American Embassy.
Returning to Washington in 1912,
he became general counsel for Mr..
Byrnes in the Office of Economic
Sterilization and later in the Once
of War Mobilization and Recover
sion.
Was Fourth in State Department.
The post of Counselor in the State
Department has ranked No. AUST
below the two Undersecretaries of
State and above the Assistant Sec
Secretaries. The White House said
departmental functions now will be
realigned so that the Counselor will
serve with the rank of Assistant
Secretary.
/ Mr.. Bohlen's appointment to this
/ position averted .an2autamatj' trans
fer to foreign post at tn end of
this year under a statute limiting
Foreign Service Officers to four-year
assignments in Washington. The
law makes an exception for career
diplomats named to posts requiring
Senate confirmation.
This enables Gen. Marshall to
keep beside him the departments
two top experts on Russia-Mr.
Bohlen and George F. Kennan, who
now heads the Secretary's special
policy planning staff.
The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee approved also the nomi-
nation of John Garter Vincent of
Georgia, a career man, to be Min
ister to Switzerland. This selection
was announced by the President
yesterday also.
! Mr.. Vincent will succeed Leland
Harrison. "a. veteran career diplo-
mat. The State Department an
nounced today that the President
had asked Mr.. Harrison ito re-
! linquish" the Swiss post and return
to Washington where his back
ground and long experience" might
be available in meeting daily prob
lens in European affairs. He is ex-
pected to work with Assistant Sec
retary of State Armour as a special