Evening star., 1946-12-29
Long Delays Feared
In Unifying Korea;
Food Crisis Likely

Conflict between American and
Russian aims in Korea has stalled
almost hopelessly any chances for
early unification of that country,
State Department officials conceded
last night.
They warned that efforts to in
still democracy even in the south
ern part of Korea occupied by
American forces face failure if a
food and rehabilitation supply pro-
gram should bog down.
Edwin M. Martin, chief OF the
State Departments Division OF
japanese and Korean Economic At
fairs, and Hugh Borton, chief OF
the Division of japanese Affairs,
discussed the situation in an NBC
University of the Air" broadcast.
Mr.. Borton said efforts to get
agreement with the Russians to
carry out Allied promises to unity
Korea and start it on the road to
independence had "fopped" during
the past year, with little prospect
for success in the near future.
He said the United States wants
"to see Korea independent in a
democratic way" He recalled that
Soviet Gen. Shtikov had defined
Russia's aim as for "a true demo-
cratic country, friendly to the Soviet
Union, so that in the future it will
not become a base for attack on
Russia"
Viewpoints Differ.
Mr.. Borton pointed out that Amer
ican and Russian interpretations
of democracy" differ, and said the
Koreans will make the choice"
Mr.. Martin declared that "all OF
the Far East is watching the per-
formance of the American way in
Korea" adding that success or fail
ure may depend on "our ability to
get supplies to Korea during the next
year"
| Unless this country does its share
in rehabilitating Southern Korea
Mr.. Martin said, I'VE can expect
serious food riots and complete
breakdown of production and dis
tribution in the near future. Under
those circumstances characterization
would become an impossible goal"
The speakers emphasized that fail
ure to bring about unif1cation OF the
American zone in the south and the
northern part of the country oc-
cupied by Russia means that Amer
ican occupation forces must stay
there much longer than expected
and at considerable cost.
| Russian Over-run Feared.
Mr.. Borton strongly implied tina
the reason for continued American
occupation is that if United State
| forces do not stay in the south Rus
sian forces would overrun the entlr
country.
| Admitting there are "pohtics
reasons" for the United States t
remain in Korea, he said:
We've just fought a bitter an
costly war to get peace. A free an
independent Korea :. Is le
better insurance for peace in Asi
than a Korea dominated by anothe
country
! He said the United States
ready to sit down with tn
Russians at any time to try again
to work out a basis for turnln
Korea over to the Koreans, and tina
he believes agreement can b
reached eventually.
Mr.. Martins emphasis on foot
supplies for Korea appeared II
forsshadow efforts by the State ant
War Departments to persuade
Congress to make available ampl'
funds for their program in tina
and other occupied countries.
Mr.. Borton and Mr.. MartiI
agreed that in a contest between
two great nations sponsoring twt
different political systems, thu
Koreans are likely to judge b!
results and that the first result:
they look for are relief from th'
hardships of existence in theil