Evening star., 1950-06-27
US. Air and Sea Units
Ordered by Truman
To Defend Korea

Continued From First Page.1
command a Joint defense op-
Grafton"
(The Gen. Church referred to
was apparently Brig. Gen. John
H. Church. listed at occupation
headquarters as commander of
the Ryukyus (Okinawa) mill
tary government. There was
no immediate confirmation at
headquarters of such an ap-
pointment.
Gen. Macarthur has con-
f1rmed that American fighter
planes shot down four Russian
made North Korean planes
which tried to interfere with the
air evacuation of American
women and children from South
Korea.
(The American Broadcasting
Co. said it had learned that
United States naval forces are
now halfway to Korea.)
Briefing Session Set.
The Presidents decision to turn
the cold war-perhaps-into a
shooting war burst suddenly on
the Capital where earlier indica-
tionS were that this Government
was depending for the moment on
the persuasive powers of the
United Nations to calm this latest
trouble spot.
Reporters thronging the White
House had their first intimation
that an important pronouncement
was in prospect when Defense
Secretary johnson showed up
shortly before noon with other
leaders and said the President
would have a statement and that
there would be a brief1ng session
for the benefit of Pentagon report
ers at 1890 pm.
Just at noon, reporters were
called into Press Secretary Ross
office where the Presidents state
ment was distributed. The doors
were closed until the order was in
everyone's hands-then. there was
a rush for telephones.
In explaining the different steps
to be taken in the Pacific, the
President pointed out that Com
munists had defied Security Coun-
Gil orders and that in these cir
cumStances, "the occupation of
FormoSa-off the coast of China
by Communist forces would be a
direct threat to the security of the
Pacific area and to United States
forces performing their lawful and
necessary function in that area"
AS corollary to his order to the
7th Fleet to block any attack on
FormoSa, the President said he
had called on the Chinese govern
ment on the island to cease all air
and sea operations against the
Communists on the mainland and
that the 7th Fleet would see also
that this was done.
President Truman explained
that Ambassador Austin, repre-
senting the United States on the
Security Council, had been advised
to inform the Council of the steps
this Government was taking.
He said he knew that all u N.
would consider carefully
the new aggression in Korea in
defiance of the U. N. Charter.
A return to the rule of force
in international affairs would have
far-reaching effects" he said.
THE United States will continue
to uphold the rule of law
The Presidents statement did
not say what air and sea forces
would be rushed to the Koreans
aid.
When the White House confer
ence broke up after nearly IS min
utes, most of the Congress mem
bers were silent and solemn.
Senator Bridges of New Hamp-
shire, a frequent Republican critic
of administration foreign policy,
told reporters:
II only want to say I approve
completely everything that's been
done"
Senator Bridges asked in a Sen
ate speech yesterday that the ad-
ministration draw line in the
Pacific and say to the Communists
that they must not cross it. In
effect, Mr.. Truman's pronounce
ment does that.
Senator Bridges said: "We
stepped into the breach in Korea,
Indo- China and the Philippines.
That's our job to protect"
Senator Smith. Republican, of
New Jersey said he was very
much pleased" with the Presi-
dents statement.
"a good fortnight statement
LOST
BEAGLE PUPPY; white with brown and
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