Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-13
Evacuation Question
Follows u. ). BLESSING
On New Korean Rule

American recognition of a new
government in Korea stirred specu-
lation today over when United
States occupation forces will leave
that divided land.
The answer apparently hinges to
a great degree on what course the
Russians follow in the northern sec
ton Of the country they occupy.
The State Department announced
last night de facto" recognition of
a government formed by Syngman
Rhee in American occupied South
ern Korea. President Truman i'm
mediately named John j. Muccio, a
career diplomat, as his personal
representative in Seoul, with the
rank of Ambassador.
De Factor recognition means the
United States considers the Rhee
regime the effective government of
Korea, but does not yet recognize
It's full legal rights to govern. Full
recognition is expected after the
United Nations General Assembly
In Paris has had time to pass on
the formation of the government.
Negotiations Required.
American actions probably will be
influenced to considerable extent
by provisions of the United Nations
resolution under which the Rhee
government was created. This
states that Rhee should negotiate
with both America and Russia for
removal of occupation forces.
1t Is unlikely, however, that he
can fulfill this requirement, since
the Russians do not recognize exist
ence Of his regime.
Oficials here now believe there
is a large, trained Communist force
in Northern Korea which is watt
ing for a chance to take over the
whole nation and convert it into
another Soviet satellite.
American policy presumably will
be to cooperate fully with Rhee
to prevent this.
Rhee has at various times urged
the earliest possible withdrawal of
American troops. 1t may be one of
his first demands on the United
States.
May Modify Demand.
There is some belief here, how
ever, that he may modify that de-
mand by requesting temporary
American assistance in setting up
constabulary force capable Of de-
Tending the area he controls.
The number OF United States
troops now in Korea has not been
officially released but some esti-
mates run as high as $4,000 men.
They are under command of 1t.
Gen. John r. Hodge.
Congress has authorized a $780,
100000 relief and rehabilitation
program for Korea.
The State Department in a state
ment said the new government
formed as result of the May 10
elections supervised by a U. N. COM
mission lis entitled to be regarded
as the government of Korea en-
visaged by the General Assembly's
resolution of November IA, 1s47."
The American recognition in effect
formally sets up a separate govern
ment for the approximately 81 ,00O,-
900 Korean people in the American
zone south of the 3Sth parallel.
Russian troops control the northern
part with its 100000 population.
A Communist government is
being organized there, when Rus
STA refused to permit the people to
participate in the May 10 election.
Mr.. Muccio is naturalized Amer;
lean born in italy 48 years ago.
He has been a State Department
career officer for % years with wide
experience in the Far East, Europe
and South America. A graduate
Of Brown and George Washington
Universities, he was appointed to
class l status in the Foreign Serv-
ice November Is, 1916.