Evening star., 1952-04-13
Eisenhower Indicates
He Will Take No Part
In nPre-Chicago Drive
BY the Associated Press


Gen. Eisenhower said today that
If he wins the Republican nomi-
nation he will shed his Army uni
form and "be free to speak and
act as any other citizen" in quest
of the presidency.
1t was a clear indication he in
tends to take as little part as
possible in the pre-convention
campaign now being waged for
his nomination.
He plans to make one appear
ance, at a ceremony of the EiSen-
hover Foundation at Abilene.
Kans., June 4. Aside from this,
he said, he and Mrs. Eisenhower
"are eagerly looking forward to
a short vacation-if we may be
allowed one"
Still Won't Talk Politics.
Until he meets newsmen in al
farewell visit possibly 48 hours
before departure, I'm not going
to discuss any kind of political
question" Gen. Eisenhower said.
And he declared he had no infor-
mation-"not the slightest on
his successor as supreme COM
mander.
His statement was made to about
200 reporters, radio and televiSion
representatives at SHAPE, PreSi-
dent Truman announced yesterday
the general had asked to be re-
lieved of his command about June
!.
In the letter asking relief, the
general suggested his major task
here was finished.
Wants Relief From Pressure.
Now, Gen. Eisenhower said, he
wants to be relieved of all political
pressures possible while he gets
on with his job at SHAPE.
Il must prevent politics from
affecting this vital job during the
weeks remain in service" he
said.
Il have not submitted my resig-
nation from the American Army"
he said. II have forwarded a re-
quest that I be relieved from my
current military assignment and
placed on an inactive status.
If, however, I should-through
the current effort now going on
at home-be nominated in July to
political office, shall promptly |
submit to the President my resig-
nation as an officer of the army. |,
From that point on. I would be
free to act and speak as any other
citizen, without any of the limita-
tions imposed by the traditions of |
the military establishment.
Complete Separation.
II should like to point out that |
this would mean complete sepa-
ration from the Army of the |
United States. For example, L
would not be entitled. thereafter,
to wear the uniform"
Next Wednesday, Gen. Eisen-
hover will begin a farewell tour
of his North Atlantic command /
with a trip to Brussels. There
after he will visit The Hague,
April 10; Oslo. April 81; Copen-
hagen. April %, and other capi-
tails of the IA member nations at
dates yet to be sarranged.a
Gen. Eisenhower separation
from SHAPE already has begun
to be an emotional business. About
10 generals. admirals and other
high-ranking officers listened
teary-eyed yesterday while Gen.
Eisenhower told them of his plans.
The officers, representing all IA
nations, had been taking part in
a paper exercise on how to repel
q Russian invasion-the major
purpose of SHAPE.
Montgomery Hugs Him.
Brig. Gen. Anthony DreNel Bid
die, Gen. EiSenhoWer's diplomatic
adviser, described it as lone of
the most dramatic and moving
incidents of my experience"
Field Marshal Lord Mont
gomery, Gen. Eisenhower's British
deputy and wartime collaboration.
hugged the General to his breast.
Handkerchiefs were pulled out all
over the room. Gen. Biddle said.
Then Gen. Eisenhower walked out.
turning only at the door to lift
his hands over his head in a
boxers salute. Then he, too,
reached for his handkerchief. +,
There were few teary eyes this
morning at SHAPE, where the
neWsmen had gathered to hear ,
Gen. Eisenhower. There was, as
so often happens in military head ,
quarters, a mixup as to what the Z
military wanted and what the
press. radio and television wanted.
A dozen small but vital tangles
had to be Strengthened out between 9
SHAPE information officers and
the press.
Three Complete Performances.
Affairs finally worked out so !
the General first addressed the ,
newsmen, then radio and televi-
sion. The General went through /,
three complete performances of
his talk with a pause only long !,
enough to ease his throat with a !,
cup of coffee. Then he faced a II
battery of newsreel cameramen +
and photographers. =.
A dozen reporters had questions
they wanted to shoot at him.
What did he think about the
Korean situation; did he approve
the seizure of the steel mills; what
were his ideas on China?
II hope there will be no uues- &
tions," Gen. Eisenhower said near {
the opening of his talk to the IC
newSmen. You can understand IC
they would be endless" "
So the questions died.
Explains Change.
Gen. Eisenhower began by ex-