Marshall Explains Supreme Importance of Western Unity

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1948, Page 5

Marshall Explains Supreme Importance of Western Unity

(Rec. 10.25) WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 General Marshall (U.S. Secretary of State) called a press conference today, and he categorically denied that there had been any difference between President Truman and himself over the proposal to send Chief Justice Vinson to Moscow. He said that the reactions in Paris to the press reports as to differences between the President and himself were most unfortunate.

Asked what was the purpose of the proposed mission of Chief Justice Vinson to Moscow, General Marshall said President Truman was concerned with the broad question of peace in general, but. in particular, with the atomic problem. He continued: “The President, due to his very special position, was deeply concerned by a intransigent attitude of the Soviet representatives during the United Nations debate on atomic problems. General Marshall said that he had opposed the proposed mission of Chief Justice Vinson because the U.N. Security Council was about to discuss the Berlin and the atomic problems, and there was a danger of a misunderstanding of any such unilateral action by the United States. The strongest card of the Western Powers now was unity, said General Marshal. He reiterated that the United States was ready to negotiate with the Soviet, in a Foreign Ministers Council, at any time, provided that the Berlin blockade was lifited first. He added that he hoped that President Truman’s statement would have a calming effect on the fears in Euiope that the United States was abom to make a single-handed approach to the Kremlin.