Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-09-24

of State under Gen.
and there has been considerable
chiefs of mission from Madrid be
rescinded. It had not worked.
Mr.. Acheson followed more
than faithfully the program for
China. He did not
carry out the Spanish matter be-
cause of opposition within the
American delegation at the U. N.
and from France and Britain.
There will be meeting of
minds between the two men as
far as our global commitments
are concerned. They both believe
firmly that the Soviet threat must
be met principally on European
fields and not in Asia. Mr.. Ache
sons belief is based probably on
emotions. Gen. Marshalls is
based on military concept
which only history can prove
right or wrong.
AS wartime Army Chief of Staff.
Gen. Marshall always favored the
Western front at the expense of
the Pacific front. He was more
than economical with his support
of Gen. MacArthur's theater of
operations. This may have been
due to the enormous influence
which President Roosevelt had on
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 1t may
have been due to the generals own
belief that the war could end sue
cessfully only by the complete de-
feat of Hitler's powerful military
machine. Arms and ammunition
were rushed to our European
Allies, while only trickle of sup
plies found their way to Gen.
MacArthur's meager forces be-
tween 1912 and 1914.
The same thing may be repeated
on a different scale now. Gen.
Marshall's military concept is that
so long as our hold on Japan and
in Alaska is firm and we are in a
strong defensive position in both
those areas, there is not much that
we have to worry about in the Far
East.
Prestige High in Europe
The potential enemy forces there
are fluid. Not so in Europe, where
the Russians have powerful force
close to the boundaries of Western
Europe and have such satellites as
Eastern Germany, whose military
power no longer can be overlooked.
Those who in the past few
months have had the opportunity
of discussing these problems in q
general way with the new Defense
Secretary know that he is strongly
in favor of a powerful European
establishment comprising
all the nations on that continent
which are willing to fight for their
survival. 1t seems hardly prob
able that Gen. Marshall will bow
to any political reasons which may
be advanced by Mr.. AcheSon as to
why Europe should not include in
it's defense plans the countries
which have a real military poten-
tial and are genuinely willing to
oppose Russia's drive to the West.
It is equally unlikely that Mr..
Acheson will offer any strong OBJ
jections to any of the compre-
hensive military plans which Gen.
Marshall may advance at National
Council meetings. And
his prestige with the European
nations is so great that the French
and British governments would
hesitate to ignore his suggestions
for an improved defense of the
European continent when Gen.
Marshall makes them in forceful
manner.
In the interlocking relationship
between Defense and State De-
partments it is more probable that
Mr.. Acheson will play to the tune
of Gen. Marshall than the reverse.
It is well-known that Mr.. Tru-
admiration for the wartime
Chief of Staff is so great that he
considers him as embodying the
diplomatic qualities of the 18th
century's greatest Foreign Min
-Talleyrand-and the genius
of the greatest of military leaders
of history.
Those in close relationships with
the White House are convinced
that in the event of any conflict
of views between the stubborn
Defense Secretary and the suave
Secretary of State. Mr.. Truman
will side unreservedly with Gen.
Marshall.
Will Have Last Word
Gen. Marshall has no intention
of dominating the scene. Yet I'M
Intentionally he will be the most
figure in the admins
tration. The State Department
will have to follow his views on
matters which involve both de-
partments. Although he is now
only the top administrative head
of the Defense Department. the
new Secretary will necessarily
dominate the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
They are all-except Admiral
Sherman, Chief of Naval Opera
tions-his former subordinates.
The Army and Air Force members
are his "boys." That is to say, he
has watched, followed and helped
fhoi,- military coreerS Until mi.