Show I I Ir Ii i iI I r I II I Ii i 4 i bt Adm Alan G. G Kirk Kirl New U. U S. S ambassador to Russia 1 Adm Kirk Named Envoy to lo Russia WASHINGTON April 20 O INS Pres Truman Wednesday named I Adm Alan G. G Kirk now U. U S. S envoy to Belgium as the new American ambassador to Russia Kirk a onetime chief of naval val intelligence replaces Gen Walter Valter Bedell Smith who has returned to duty with the army The admiral has been mentioned as the leading possibility for the Moscow post ever since It became known that Smith would not re return return return re- re turn to Russia Kirk was appointed ambassador to Belgium in 1916 after serving with distinction in World orld War Var II 11 He commanded U U. S. S naval forces in the Normandy invasion Mr lr Truman's announcement that Kirk will be sent to Russia as American ambassador comes amid an intensified SO Soviet iet peace offensive e The Russians are rumored to have offered to lift the Berlin BerHn blockade under certain conditions and there are other indications that the Kremlin Is eager for at least a temporary end to the cold war nr Diplomatic observers saw In the See Seo rage Page 2 Column 5 I I U. U S. S ENVOY I Continued from Page One I presidents president's decision to send Kirk to Moscow without delay an ind indication indi- indi I C cat cation a t i ion 0 fl that the scenes maneuvers toward a rapprochement ment between between Russia and the western allies are in progress Secy S c cy of State Acheson is known to have discussed the current situation in regard to Russia with British Foreign Secy Bevin and French Foreign Minister Schuman Schuman Schuman man when hen they were in Washington Washing Washing- ton to sign the North Atlantic pact I. I Wide ide Experience Kirk has had wide experience I as a diplomat an intelligence expert expert ex ex- exI I pert and a combat commander A native of Philadelphia he Is Isa Isa isa a a 1909 graduate of the U. U S. S naval na academy During World Var War n II he commanded com corn amphibious forces with the Atlantic fleet and won commendation commendation com corn for his part in the in invasion invasion in- in I of Sicily Later Lat r he received the coveted assignment of command of all American naval forces in the InvaSion invasion invasion inva inva- sion of France and won the distinguished dis dis- dis- dis I service medal I |