Evening star., 1960-12-13
An Excellent Choice

Dean HuSK told some friends re-
Gently that mo man is really qualified
Tor that job" He was speaking of the
job Of Secretary of State.
In an absolute sense, he was prob
ably right. The responsibilities of this
position, the world being as it is, are
vast enough to defy human capabilities.
But In relative sense, which is the only
practical approach to judging such
qualifications, President-elect Kennedy
has made an excellent choice.
Nine years ago this month, when
Mr.. RuSk resigned from the State De-
partment to become President of the
Rockefeller Foundation, The Stars COM
ment was that mot many Americans of
comparable ability are available to take
his place" Nor are there many Ameri-
cans better fitted by experience, talent,
temperament and character to be Secre-
tary OF State than is Dean Rusk.
Wholly aside from his own qualifica-
tions, the implications of this appoint
ment are gratifying and we believe they
will be welcomed by the country. Mr..
RuSk is neither professional politician
nor an active partisan. His appointment
is not political reward It was mani
testify based on a careful search for the
best available man. Any one familiar
with Mr.. Rusk'S circumstances knows
that his acceptance, at considerable
sacrifice In material things, was in
huenced by sense of duty with which
ambition for personal aggrandizement
has no remote connection. The appoint
ment and fts acceptance are in our
opinion wholesome reflections Of a
popular sentiment which recogr ICES
that certain positions, including his
one, should be filled without regard to
political considerations. They were
present. Of course, in the accompanying
appointments Of Adlai Stevenson and
Chester BowleS. Mr.. Kennedy is under
Obligation to each of them. Both are
men Of ability and experience, however,
and should make capable members of
the new State Department team.
Mr.. Rusk's highly competent admin
tytration of the affairs of the Rockefeller
Foundation for the past eight years,
following his two years as Assistant
Secretary of State for Far Eastern
Affairs, has given him unique famili-
aFity with conditions throughout the
world where foundation projects, par
ticularly in the fields of cultural de-
velopment, education, agriculture and
public health are under way. These are
highly practical undertakings, designed
I'd improve the condition of mankind
without regard to religion, politics or
face. Their success has been due as
much to the spirit in which such
assistance has been offered and re-
ceived as to its tangible benefits. It is
T. matter of interest that Mr. Bowles
and Mr.. Rusk have sat together on the
foundations board of trustees since
Mr.. Bowles completed his successful
assignment as Ambassador to India.
They share an exceptionally well in
formed interest in those parts of the
world, the nature of whose future de-
yelopment so closely involves our own.
We do not know the precise policies
which Mr.. Rusk may advocate as Secre-
tary Of State. But ten years ago, as an
assistant secretary, he made speech
which contained this passage: "The
United States must accept the PROPOSE
ton that the problems of Asia are to be
worked out by the governments and
people of Asia We can help but we
cannot take over"
=. The same thing applies now to
other regions where the rapid processes
Of revolutionary change are under way.
It may be that large part of Mr.. Rusk IS
efforts will be not merely to strengthen
that policy, but to convince the rest of
The world that we really mean it.
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