Evening star., 1950-10-02
MocArthur's UItimotum

In demanding that the northern Communist
aggressors surrender without further delay-"in
whatever part OF Korea situated General
Macarthur has plainly indicated that the United
Nations forces under his supreme command will
cross the 38th Parallel In full strength If full
strength advance is necessary to bring about
what he describes as einevitable" le"-namely, the
early and total defeat and complete destruction
of the enemys armed strength and war-making
potential
Indeed, as if to underscore his own resolve
and the resolve of the overwhelming U. N. major
ity to wipe out the partition along the S8th
Parallel, General Macarthur has already dis
patched q division of South Korean troops north
OF that dividing line. Moreover, his highest
lieutenants have made clear that American and
other allied forces will move in the same direc-
tion for large-scae pursuit operations unless the
Communist high command promptly obeys his
directives4- -directives addressed quite as much
to the Kremlin as to its puppet regime at
Pyongyang.
What General Macarthur has called for, in
effect, is an unconditional surrender. He has
demanded that the North Korean aggres-
sors lay down their arms forthwith" and abide
by such military supervision as he may direct.
In addition, while promising that enemy captives
win continue to receive good treatment and be
permitted to return to their homes "as soon as
practicable he has called upon that enemy "at
once to liberate all United Nations prisoners OF
war and civilian internees under your control and
to make adequate provision for their protection,
care, maintenance and immediate transportation
to such places as indicate"
In all probability, Of course, the criminal
regime at Pyongyang will not satisfy General
MacArthurs demand, but will instead continue
the sort of resistance that will lead to what he
has described as 'the further useless shedding of
blood and destruction Of property" Be that as
is may, however he has left little or no room for
doubt that the forces under his command, unless
his ultimatum is obeyed, will proceed northward
In heavy strength-by land sea and air-to smash
the aggressors in toto and to lay the groundwork
for peace settlement that will guarantee the
creation of free and united Korea
The Chinese Communists in kind of double
talk threat. have declared that they will not
"supinely tolerate seeing their neighbors savagely
invaded by imperialsts." Presumably, this is
supposed to frighten the United States and the
great bulk Of the U. N into a state Of indecision
rs regards crossing the 38th Parallel. II 80, how
ever, Peiping Is sadly mistaken. For even II 1t
chooses to intervene directly in Korea-by send
ing in troops-it will find that General Mac
Arthur and his forces will not hesitate 10 do
. whatever needs to be done to crush the Korean
aggression. -
In fact, ct,=everything considered, 1t seems
highly doubtful t,at the Chinese Reds will trans
late their tough words into tough deeds. No fewer
than IS nations stand behind what General Mac
Arthur is doing now 10 uphold decency, freedom
and the rule Of law in the world. The Peping
and Moscow Communists cannot challenge that
without becoming the losers in the long run
For that reason, If for no other, we can be
reasonably sure that the crossing of the 3sth
Parallel will not be physically resisted by Mac
Tse-tung or Josef Stain.