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331 Appendix c Marshall on smith’s Berlin reporting and dignity George Marshall sent the following handwritten letter to Smith just prior to the latter’s departure for Germany in 1955. Smith had been asked to comment on Lindbergh and reporting on the Luftwaffe from Berlin in the 1930s; he sent a copy to Marshall. GENERAL G. C. MARSHALL DODONA MANOR LEESBURG, VIRGINIA Saturday May 28–55 Dear Smith: Your letter of yesterday and the Report reached me at noon today. As you take off by air Thursday I write immediately and read the suggested chapters of the Report. The last is intensely interesting and I think in style, arrangement and English excellent. I have no other comments. The State Department’s apparent withholding of your first Report and Ambassador Kennedy’s cable is not understandable. Elegant language, form and protocol always seem more important than simple facts. Then another thing which, quite properly, you do not touch on, was the bitter resentment and the serious attacks on you because you recited the facts of the German build up of military power. All these things are an inevitable part of democracy and the consequent political reactions. I’m glad you are going over. Give my best wishes to von Schell and his Lady. I would like to have seen him when I was traveling in Germany but in my position it did not seem wise. Wish our best to Mrs. Smith and you. Faithfully yours, [signature of George C. Marshall] I am mailing the Report back to you. ...

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