Evening star., 1948-03-11
Marshall Urges U. 5.
To Stay Calm in Face
a.
OF World Situation /.
By Gornett D. Horner

AAAI N0eAO4 VOAdy Aldu W1ldt
amounted to a plea from Secre-
tary of State Marshall to keep
cool in the face of what he
gravely termed a "very, very
serious" world situation.
He cited "a reign Of terror in Cze-
choslovakia" and resulting strong
feelings here as among things
leading to great fears"
Gen. Marshall underscored his
grave view by permitting direct quo
tation of his answer to q casual
question at news conference late
yesterday.
He left the definite impression
that he considers the situation calls
for Americans to keep their heads
and make sure that any action un-
dertaken by this country in the
world crisis is based on coldly cal
culated decisions free from emo
tional pressure.
Secretary Voices Alarm.
Gen. Marshall spoke out when
asked by q reporter to give his as
sessment of the international sit
uation. His questioner remarked
that there was considerable alarm
in this country over recent develop
ments in Europe, ranging from fears
that Communists might take over
Italy to extreme war talk"
II think" the Secretary replied.
you correctly described the situa-
ton in your question-that there
are great fears as to the develop
mentS.
There are also very strong feel
ings regarding these developments
and a considerable passion Of view
on the part Of great many In this
country.
"The situation is very, very serious.
1t Is regrettable that passions are
aroused to the degree that has
occurred.
Tragic Happenings.
ut Is tragic to have things happen
such as just occurred in Czecho-
slovakia, particularly what has hap
pened to some Of the officials, as in
the affair today of the death Of Jan
Masaryk, all Of which indicates very
plainly what Is going on.
1T Is a reign Of terror in Czecho-
slovakia and not an ordinary due
process Of government by the
people"
In referring to q passion Of
view" on the part Of many Amer
leans, Gen. Marshall had in mind
a passion to do something hur-
riedly. He feels it Is a mistake
to let passion enter into Govern
ment decisions.
The whole training and expe-
rience Of the wartime Army Chief
Of Staff tends to make him feel
that the Government should not
undertake, any action except on a
coldly calculated decision and a
calm determination to carry
through.
There Is no question but that he
feels quick action is necessary to
carry through such efforts as the
European Recovery Program, worked
out by the administration to bolster
European economy against COM
munism.
The fact that debate still is going
on nine months after Gen. Marshall
started discussion of the recovery
program In speech at Harvard last
June shows a striking contrast with
the rapidity Of action in the Soviet
expansionist drive in. Europe.
In discussing the death of MIR.
Masaryk, Gen. Marshall avoided
any reference to suicide. He said
he did not know whether the Czech
Foreign Minister had taken his own
life, as the Communist dominated
Prague regime reported.
An earlier formal State Depart
ment statement commented:
''The tragic death Of Jan Masaryk
has deepened the shadow on the
observance a few days ago of the
birthday anniversary of his father,
Thomas Masaryk, by the extinction
of Czechoslovak liberties which
Thomas Masaryk founded"
Gen. Marshall was asked at his
news conference what he thought
about the request of the Czech dele
gate to the United Nations for an
investigation of the Communist
seizure of power in Prague. He re-
piled that it was refreshing to hear
a man say what he actually thinks
under existing conditions. He added
that the request poses a problem for
%I,a TTy,i%o5 Nofiovoe