Relay Point

Jimmy Byrnes had wanted to quit a long time ago. For months he had been fighting off a jangling weariness. But there was never a time to rest in Moscow, London, Washington or New York. Last April, after a physical checkup, he got a stern warning: "Slow down--or else!" But asking a U.S. Secretary of State to slow down in 1946 was like asking a canoeist to pause amidst rapids. He decided to make a clean break instead, and sent his resignation to. the President.

He wanted to retire by last July 1. But it was not until last month that Harry Truman regretfully agreed. Doctors had discovered that Byrnes had a heart murmur aggravated by incessant overwork. The President's mind had been made up long ago: if he ever needed a new Secretary of State, he would call on General George Marshall. He radioed Marshall in Nanking, and made his offer.

Two Happy Days. Marshall, concluding his difficult mission in China, thought it over. He could retire with honor. As Secretary of State he would risk his shining reputation in the treacherous currents of politics. After a week he answered: "Yes."

That was that, but the change was not to be announced for some days. In Nanking General Marshall had broken the news to Chiang (see FOREIGN NEWS). But only a very few in Washington had known that Jimmy Byrnes would quit; most assumed that he would go to Moscow in March. Then the New York Times's "Scotty" Reston got a hot tip and gave a strong hint (see PRESS). Soon a startled world learned that the U.S. had changed its Secretary of State for the fourth time in 26 months.

That night, at a glittering White House diplomatic reception, Jimmy Byrnes could savor freedom, a dramatic moment, and heartfelt expressions of regret. He beamed and said: "There are two happy days in the life of a man in public office--the day he is elected and the day he steps out." The unexpectedly early news reached General Marshall as his C-54 snored steadily eastward through the skies over Okinawa, bringing him home from China. At eleven o'clock at night, Shanghai time, the plane's pilot, Colonel H. C. Munson, came back to tell him of a news broadcast and offer congratulations.

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