MR WALLACE ASKED TO RESIGN

Chronicle (Levin), 21 September 1946, Page 5

MR WALLACE ASKED TO RESIGN

—Press Association

PRESIDENT SAYS iS NO CHANGE IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY

By Telegraph-

Received Saturday, 10.30 a.m. WASHINGTON, September 20, President Truman has asked the Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Henry Walla.ce, to resign. President Truman told a Press Conference to-day that there was no change in the Governyment's foreign policy, and he reiterated his complete confidence in the Secretary of State, Mr. J. F. Byrnes.

Standing before a crowded news conference, President Truman slowly read his statement. "The foreign policy of this country is the most important question confronting us today," he said. "Our responsibility for obtaining a just and iasting peace extends not only to the people of this country, but to the world. The people of the United States may disagree freely and publicly on any question, inciuding that of foreign policy, but the Government must siand as a unit in its reiations with the rest of the world. "I have today asked Mr. Wallace to resign,"' President Truman declared. "It had become clear that between his views on foreign policy and those of the administration — the latter being shared, I am confident, by the great body of our citizens — that there was a fundamental conflict. We could not permit this conflict to jeopardise our position in reiation to other countaries. I deeply regret breaking a long and official association, but I am sure Mr. Wallace will be happier in the exercise of the right to present his views as a private citizen." After saying that he had had "a very friendly" telephone conversation with Mr. Wallace this morning, the President added: "No

change in our foreign policy is contemplated. No member in an executive branch of the Government will make any public statement on foreign policy which is in conflict with our established foreign policy, and public statements on foreign policy shall be cleared vvith the State Department. In the case of a disagreement the matter will be referred to me. "As I have frequently said, I have complete confidence in Mr. Byrnes and his delegation. Mr. Byrnes consults me often, and the policies which guide him and his delegation have my full endorsement." x „ ... After his telephone talk with the President, Mr. Wallace sent him a letter, saying: "Dear Harry., As you have requested, here is my resignation. I shall continue to fight for peac§. and I am sure you will approve and will join me in that great endeavour." The Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Forestal, is the only remaining Roosevelt appointee in the Cabinet. Mr. Wallace was the last of the original New Deal secretaries. In Paris Mr. Byrnes refused to comment on Mr. Wallace's resignation, but members of his entourage, when asked what his reactions were when he heard the news, said: "Well, he did not look displeased."