Evening star., 1950-06-25
Johnson Calls Meeting
OF Top Military Aides
On Pacific Defense
By John A. Giles

Defense Secretary johnson, re-
portedly determined to reopen the
administration present no-aic
policy toward Formosa, last night
called a meeting with his top mill
tary leaders tomorrow morning tt
discuss his findings during 13-
day tour of Pacific defenses.
In addition to the possibility Of
some change with regard to For
mosa, it was believed that Mr.
Johnson's return. along with that
of State Department Adviser John
Foster Dulles from Tokyo this
week. will lead to a decision soor
by President Truman as to q
Japanese peace treaty and other
Far Eastern moves.
Mr.. johnson and Gen. Bradley
chairman of the Joint Chiefs o1
Staff, landed at National Airport
yesterday morning after an 831a-
hour, 24,431-mile trip with one
stop from TOKYO.
Refuse to Discuss Details.
The defense chief refused to dis
cuss with reporters any details OF
his talks with Gen. Macarthur
supreme Allied commander in
Japan, and other Pacific military
leaders. y
Mr.. Dulles was scheduled to
complete his talks with Gen. Mac
Arthur and Japanese leaders to-
morrow before returning here to
report to Secretary of State Ach-
eson. The Republican adviser to
the State Department also joined
the Johnson Macarthur Bradley
conferences.
1.-The situation in the Pacific
is all part of one picture" Mr..
johnson said yesterday, adding
that he and Gen. Bradley had ex-
amined the Pacific situation
"solely from the standpoint Of
American security"
While there is strong sentiment
in the State Department for stick
ing by the no-aid policy toward
Formosa on the ground that any
change would raise new fears OF
American Imperialism in Asia, Of
ficials appeared prepared to con-
slider any new proposition which
Secretary johnson may put for
ward.
Other Steps Outlined.
In addition to the possibility OF
an agreement between State and
Defense with reference to aiding
Formosa, some officials believe
that other major steps in Far East
policy may follow these lines:
/. That any japanese peace
treaty or other arrangements
which terminate the occupation
of that country-and Gen. Mac
Arthur is reported anxious to end
it-must be accompanied by a
provision for keeping United
States troops there indefinitely as
security forces against Communist
China. Gen. Macarthur is re-
ported to advocate a treaty which
would stand for at least 25 years.
2. An agreement between State
and Defense to begin at once with
the making of a Japanese peace
settlement and possibly a Pacific
alliance somewhat along the lines
of the North Atlantic Pact. State
wanted to go ahead with the
peace treaty eight months ago
but the Defense Department
blocked the plan on the grounds
that American security might be
endangered.
Il think we got the facts about
our situation all over the Pacific
area" Mr.. johnson declared.
Calling the talks with Gen. Mac
Arthur very satisfactory" the
Defense Secretary branded stories
that the general would soon re-
turn to the United States as being
without foundation"
The top defense leaders were
met at the airport by Navy Secre-
tary Matthews, Admiral Sherman,
Chief of Naval Operations, and
Assistant Defense Secretary w. J.
Mcneil.
Also aboard the plane was Col.
j. Monroe Johnson, Interstate
Commerce Commission chairman.
AS he walked off the plane he said
that he had recovered from di-
gestive upset which caused his
collapse in Anchorage. Alaska.
during a flight stopover there Fri
day. He went to Japan to inspect
that country's railroads at the
request of the japanese govern
ment.