Russia Approves U. S. Control of Jap Mandated Islands in Pacific As Payment for American Blood

WASHINGTON, February 25--In a surprise move, Russia has stamped its cordial approval on a plan for American control of the 623 Pacific islands wrested from Japanese mandate, Secretary of State Marshall disclosed today.

A Moscow note took the position that United States, control would be entirely fair because the blood shed in evicting the Japanese was largely American.

The note, contrasting so sharply with Russia's frequent disagreements with this country, set the Capital buzzing with speculation about possible motives. Marshall was asked at a news conference whether he thought Moscow was trying to set a precedent to justify the Soviets' own post-war land acquisitions. He declined comment.

Russia had been generally expected to side with the British and Australian contention that the United Nations should postpone the whole question of the future of the strategic Marshall, Marianas, and Caroline groups until a peace treaty is written with Japan.

Marshall gave a news conference a paraphrase of the Russian note which made no mention of delay.