European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 8, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse George Marshall speaking i Washington in 1950 it a meeting marking the second anniversary Rotthe Matt att plan. Stated in Paul Hodman left of the economic cooperation administration secretory of Stilt Dean acheron and William Potter Deputy Eca administrator. A a two Marshall plan euro up from the ashes of world War ii Bojoh Barbour associated press o american gis going to Europe la relieve the troops who won world War a the images were Stark Rotterdam flattened not a whole building in Mannheim Tho devastated Railroad station in Frankfurt droves of German kids Fot owing on one s heels begging put Sig pfennig a boy of 8 pushing a big piece of broken masonry up a wooden Plank into a wheelbarrow tended by a Man in his 70s. There were few Young men anywhere. Europe was ravaged people were living in hovels. Women sold themselves to feed their babies. Thai via Only 40 Yean ago when a s Lern old Soldier stood before a graduating class at Harvard University end proposed anal no victorious nation had Evar done before a plan to rehab tale its wounded allies and its vanquished ruined foes. The Man of War More a Man of service was George Callett Marshall first Captain of All his classes Al Virginia military Institute ultimately first Captain of the student body who reorganized the army and trained it in the Art of Blitzkrieg before the same lactic look Europe under the Swastika later five Star general of the army chief of staff Secretary of defense Secretary of state. He was denied the Post of supreme it. Inlander of Allied forces in Europe because president Roosevelt needed him i could not sleep at night if you left Washington. Allol this was 50 years after his older brother who had gone through Vii recommended that his sibling not follow in his footsteps because he was no smart enough end might mar the family name. In december 1953. Marshall became he Only military Man in history to be awarded he Nobel peace prize. Harvard june 5, 1947, was the setting for Marshall s message he proposed to Rescue Europe to persuade americans to assume additional debt and taxes to revitalize ally and former enemy alike he had president Truman s Complete backing arid the president agreed the Enterprise should be known As the Marshall he said can you imagine in an election year calling this the Toliman plan so says a former ambassador Gordon h. Beyer now president of the Georga Walleit Marshall foundation of Lexington a. The speech by Marshall in june got the program Olf the ground proposing a whole new Way of approaching problems for americans. They became internationalists that was the real significance of the Marshall plan. A was a Marve thusly generous thing to do and it was almost unprecedented in history that a Victor would not seek spoils and would indeed help airy and foe alike. Bui for us for americans after a major War like this rather than retreating behind our oceans we would become involved in the world faking Over responsibilities from the French the British Marshall offered a due to what his Harvard address would say in a radio broadcast a month earlier when he returned from futile talks Wilh lha russians Over a peace treaty for Europe. He was convinced the soviet Union wanted to destabilize and dominate an enfeebled Europe. The recovery of Europe has been far slower than had been expected he said disintegrating forces Are becoming evident. The patient is sinking while the doctors deliberate. Whatever action is possible of meet these pressing problems must be taken without then on june 5, he told the world aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at Large and the possibilities of disturbances arising As a result of the desperation of the people concerned the consequences to the Economy of the United states should be apparent to All. Page 14 the stars and stripes it is logical that the United Stales should do whatever it is Able to do to assist in the return of Normal i economic health in the world without which there can i be no political stability and no assured i in an aside to the soviet Union he added our policy is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger poverty desperation and chaos. Its purpose should to the revival of a working Economy in the world so As to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which tree institutions can the United states in fact was ready to extend Marshall plan Aid to nations in the communist bloc As we a but Tho soviet Union scotched the idea. I the stolid Blue eyed general seemed almost colourless id he Eye tall disciplined de Kaled Losif Cantrol. He once stopped in the hectic race to get things done on the Edge of emotional breakdown and deliberately rearranged his life exercise work no socializing Early to bed. In a Phalanx of charismatic military men like air Force Gen. Hap Arnold and army generals George Patton and Douglas Macarthur Marshall was uniquely folded in an image of Quiel dedication. He once told the staffers in his reorganized state department that he wanted All Trie facts not jus the Happy ones. He said he saved his emotional Side for his marriage. Bui it was not easy to persuade Congress or he american voter. Marshall began a series of speeches especially to Rural communities in the Soult and Midwest. He had the wholehearted support of his president. Truman asked americans to Cut Down on grains poultry and eggs end to observe meal Ess tuesdays. All of this was to feed Europe a task the United slates had already undertaken to the tune of $2 billion. But that was Only slaying even. The Marshall plan was aimed at reviving the european Economy so it could feed itself. Monday Jur
