Evening star., 1950-07-19
6 Months, 6 Divisions
Considered Minimum
To Whip Korean Reds
BY John A. Giles

Inc general Ieelng at LIle rem
tagon today was that it would re-
quire at least six months and six
divisions of troops to drive the
Communist invaders out of South
Korea.
High officials were found to have
made a drastic revision of the
military timetable even as the
cheering news of an American
amphibious landing on the Korean
east coast was reported. AS re-
Gently as last week the same off,
cials were estimating that the
campaign might be completed by
fall.
This new revision appeared to
have been inspired by several re-
cent developments. including a
f1rst-hand report to Washington
by Gems. j. Lawton Collins and
Hoyt S. Vandenberg after talks
with Gen. Macarthur in Tokyo
and personal visits to the war
front.
Soviet Advisers Reported.
Estimates of the number of
troops needed for the operation
also have been increased as the
campaign went forward and the
Russian advised North Koreans
pushed steadily down the, penin-
sula.
Pentagon officials have believed
from the first that the North Ko-
reans had the benefit of fine Rus
sian staff work and leadership.
But yesterday the Army suddenly
announced that it had definite in
formation" that there were Soviet
advisers with the Northern forces.
How it received this informa-
ton, the extent to which such ad-
visers are used or the degree of
their influence was not divulged
Nor would the briefing officer say
how the Army got this informa-
ton.
The fact the Army announced
the presence of the Russians was
considered significant because the
United States has been careful
heretofore to preserve the fiction
that Russians were not involved
in the Korean affair.
Guard Units to Be Called.
Asked how the Army knows
about the Russians, and whether
any of them have been captured;
the briefing officer replied, No
comment" He declined to give an
idea of the identity or size of the
unit to which the Russians are at
tached.
AS more and more divisions are
dispatched to the Far East-Gen.
Macarthur cannot afford to de-
nude Japan of all forces there
additional National Guard divi-
sions are expected to be called up
to fill the gaps in the continental
defenses. Of1icials said today that
the first of these divisions to be
summoned probably would come
shortly after President Truman's
speech tonight. ts
In addition to the problem of
the whole Far Eastern defense
picture, there also is long-range,
continuing problem. For even
when victory comes in Korea,
the danger of war elsewhere will
remain acute. 1t depends on
whether Russia decides upon "Ko-
reas" at other points and times in
the Far East, Southeast Asia,
Middle East and Europe. ; Il
Beyond Korean Needs.
ThUs defense planning Is going
ahead beyond the actual require \
ments Of the Korean war and a |
buildup of allied strength through
the arms aid program can be ex-
pected. The increased military
aid will be in direct ratio to which
the recipient powers contribute to
their own defenses.
While there was evidence of
definite stiffening of resistance by
American and South Korean
forces and Gen. Macarthur was
landing elements of two more
divisions, officials here do not
anticipate any immediate change
from withdrawal tactics under
Red pressure.
But the Withdrawals will be for
shorter distances and the lost
ground will be even more hotly
contested. However, the planned
delaying action will have to be
continued until more men and
thousands of tons of equipment /
and supplies are poured into
Korea.
In that connection an Army
spokesman pointed out that it
would be at least Al days after
division was alerted in this coun-
try before it could be unloaded
In Korea.