Evening star., 1950-11-09
Eisenhower's S Remark
On Getting European
Post Stirs Speculation
By John A. Giles

By John A. Giles
The appointment of Gen. Eisen-
hover to command Western Eu-
rope defense forces was the sub
1ect>of renewed speculation again
today.
The speculation arose from the
generals own statement at a Fort
Worth. Tex, news conference that
he would soon be in Europe" as
commander, and that he could
not comment on the role Western
Germany should play in the pro-
gram because it will be my Job to
get all these people to work to-
gether."
That was the first report on
the conference. But later the
general changed this to say he
could easily be in Europe soon
for whatever military duty there
may be in store for me-" Still
later he asked that "easily be inI
Europe be changed to IT may
possibly be-"
There was no comment from
President Truman on the ap-
pointment, but it is generally ex-
pected that the World War III
commander of Allied Forces in
Europe would be Mr.. Truman's
choice-if the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization asks this
country to make such move,
Compromise Sought.
Defense Secretary Marshall, |
chairman of the NATO Defense
Committee, has said that that |
group did not make any decision
on the supreme commander at its
recent meetings here. The problem
OF rearming Western Germany so
that it could contribute, to the
combined force proved a Stun
bling block to the committee and
the Military Committee and the
council deputies were asked to
make recommendations.
The Military Committee still is
attempting to find a compromise
on American and French pro-
posals for German rearmament.
Those meetings are being held
here.
While the committee is seeking
an agreement on purely military
grounds, the council deputies
deputies to the foreign ministers
group which is the top policy
making body of NATO-has
scheduled meeting in London
Monday, That group has been
asked to attack the problem from
the political viewpoint.
The recommendations will go
back to the Defense Committee,
which, in turn, will forward the ,
plan to the North Atlantic Coun-
Gil.
Formation of Forces Needed.
1t was not Immediately clear
why Gen. Eisenhower chose to
comment on the possibility of his /
assignment to the NATO post. "
However, there was some specu- i
lation that it was designed to Z
speed up an agreement. It
Gen. Marshall said the Defense !!
Committee did not consider the
supreme commander appointment.
He added that formation of the
combined forces to meet the
threat of Communist aggression
would have to be settled first.
Then the NATO group would
request that one of the member
nations appoint a supreme COM
mander. The European powers
are said to be in agreement that
he should be an American and
that Gen. Eisenhower was their
first choice.
Gen. Bradley, chairman of the
United States Joint Chiefs of Staff
and Of the NATO Military Com
mittee. has said that if the United
States was asked to make such an
appointment this country would
agree.
Indicates Approval.
During the recent defense min ,
isters' meeting here Gen. Eisen-
hover conferred with Mr.. Truman
at the White House and after |
ward indicated to newsmen that
he likely would take the post. (
Yesterday the general said:
There has been considerable
speculation in the papers about
the job I am taking over there. I
can only repeat what I have said
before, I'm a soldier and I'll serve
wherever I am asked to serve"