Evening star., 1950-10-15


japanese and German prisoners.
The Koreans are following the
orders of their masters.
There has not been a complete
survey Of the expenditure in dol
lars and cents. But up to this
moment, it is estimated that the
cost is in 10 figures.
The expenditure is irreplacable
in lives and hard cash, which will
have to come from the already
burdened taxpayer. 1t was neces-
sary, since we had not been suf-
flcently cautious to make the
necessary preparations to defend
our position in the Far East at
time when this could have been
done with far less sacrifice.
We could have armed and
trained the republican army OF
South Korea. The remarkable
recovery and ability to fight of
the divisions, newly reorganized
from demoralized elements, shows
that with sufficient preparation
these men could have defended
their territory.
The administration could have
needed the storm warnings which
the Central Intelligence Agency
and Gen. MacArthur's intelligence
services had been giving since
early this year.
Need Outside Help
But all this is water over the
dam, The thousands who were
killed cannot be resurrected by
recriminations and criticism. MOI
can those who will remain per-
manently disabled gain any salts
faction by listening to the argu-
ment that all this could have been
avoided, partially at least.
The reason this gloomy picture
must be painted is that we must
avoid, if possible. further similar
mistakes in the future.
The war in Korea is considered
by most military men only as a
curtain-raiser for other Soviet.
sponsored aggressions, which il
not suppressed with the same
speed and energy will lead US
inevitably into a disastrous world
war.
Because Of a mistaken policy
on the part of our administrators
we began to prepare to meet such
an emergency only last July. The
country is far ahead of the Gov.
eminent in accepting, without
grumbling, the new burdens ne.
cessitated by this rush to become
prepared in time.
Unlike the years before Pear
Harbor, enlistments in the armed
services are satisfactory and there
is no opposition to the appropria
ton Of tens of billions of dollar
needed for the military prepared
ness Of the United Nations and it,
Allies.
But great as our effort must be
it will be impossible for this coun..
try to meet the threat, particu.
larly in Europe. with our power
alone. Our Allies have been slim.
ulated by the feats of arms o1
American forces commanded by
Gen. Macarthur in Korea, but
they will still lag badly in Their
efforts to get ready for the fina.
showdown. which appears more
inevitable to their military met,
than it does to our own.
In fairness to our French and
other continental European Allies
1t should be said that their lack
Of enthusiasm Is understandable
They have been bled white in two
previous wars and are tired out
BY pouring many billions of dol
lars into their countries we have
managed to bring about their
economic recovery.
Allies Resist
1t Is q nightmare for the aver
age Western European to think
that now. after the miracle of
recovery, he must face the posi-
bility Of another war.
The will to resist another ag-
gression, while increased since
the spectacular victories on the
Korean battlefield, has not yet
reached the point of seeing
through the last threat to West
ern civilization. The defeat of
the French in Indo-C China at the
hands of the Communist Wet
Mini is expected to have such a
debating effect on the French
masses that their government will
still keep from them the news of
the recent disaster.
In order to embarrass the West
ern will to resist the French gov
ernment is urging us to send be-
fore the end of this year at least
five additional American divi-
sions to Germany. where the East
German forces. armed by the Rus
slams with the latest military
equipment. constitute real
threat to the West.
The plea of the French, sup
ported by the other MAP coun-
tries, will be met as soon as the
new American divisions have had
sufficient combat training.
But while the United States is
ready to make the heaviest sacri-
fees in history to save not only
this country but also Western civ
ilization. there is resistance
which is difficult to understand
on the part of our Allies to max
ing our task easier.
Conditional Support
While we show a definite un-
derstanding Of their problems, the
French and British who lead the
Atlantic coalition refuse stub
bornly the assistance which may
be obtained from countries with
adequate manpower. Since last
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