Evening star., 1950-07-23

the optimism Of our Chief Execu-
tive in his official statements that
war was not around the corner
is the present unpleasant situation
in which an Asiatic people are
walking over the bodies Of a hand
full of splendidly courageous but
sadly outnumbered and improper
ly equipped American boys in
Korea.
So much for the pessimists, who
regard with anxiety developments
in Korea and wonder what is in
store for us in the event the
tyrants of Moscow decide to de-
velop further their ambitious plans
for world conquest by military
defeat of the United States.
There is enough strength,
patriotism and determination in
this country to defeat such an
attempt, which unquestionably Is
in the minds Of the men In the
Kremlin, provided we take the
necessary steps to stengthen our
selves Immediately.
The Korean setback is a painful
incident, but that is all. Early
successes are inevitable when a
country prepares itself for ag-
greSsion while others live in peace.
Initial victories, such as the Rus
SLAMS have had in Korea, are
wholly dependent on careful prep
arations and not on overall war
potential.
A better parallel than what
happened to Germany, Italy and
Japan in World War II is the
Boer war of 1899. Two South
African republics. Transvaal and
the Orange Free State, with small
but well-trained armies caught
the then mighty British empire
by surprise. Its armies were de-
feated by the Boer forces under
Gen. Louis Botha. When London
realized what was at stake it sent
adequate forces to South Africa
and the Beers were defeated.
Some similarity can be seen be-
tween the Boer War and the pres
ent case. if the war we are fight
ing remains localized in Korea.
OF course, we must always bear
In mind that behind the North
Korean Communists is the whole
might Of the U. S. S. r., which
can order into battle the forces
OF its Chinese puppet government.
estimated at 2,5O0,000 trained
men. Moreover, the Russian ar
senal at Mukden and in some Of
the Siberian industrial centers can
provide the fighting forces with
necessary modern equipment.
Outnumbered Before
We have tackled more difficult
problems in the past. however. In
the war against the japanese also
we were outnumbered and out
at first. Against 10 Jap
anese planes we could oppose only
two. In New Guinea, one of the
most important campaigns in
World War II, two American di-
visions defeated 10 Japanese di-
visions who possessed as good mill
tary equipment as we did.
History shows that Americans
are not warlike by nature, but are
warriors when they have to fight
for their own country. To a.
greater extent than in either of
the last two World Wars, we are
fighting today not only for a prin-
ciple, but also for the survival of
the country.
The men in the Korean battle
fields know, sometimes only in
stinctively, that they must stand
one against ten, because it is more
than South Korean independence
which is involved in the battle.
Throughout the ages military
strategists have maintained that
the offensive is the best defense.
This military axiom has been
used by most aggressors, thirsty
for power and conquest, to camou-
dage their actions. Exhilarated by
early successes, their armies
fought valiantly as long as success
was on their side. But eventually
their fighting spirit died down.
Very few people, regardless of race,
(See BROWN, Page C-5.)