Evening star., 1950-12-09
Truman, AHIee Offer
Reds Negotiations,
But No Appeasement
By John M. Hiehtower

President Truman and British
Prime Minister Attlee held open
to Russia and Communist China
today an offer to negotiate-but
with mo thought of appeasement"
the settlement of the Korean
conflict and other crucial world
issues.
The offer was coupled with a
grimly determined agreement that
until the Communist powers
modify their conduct" in the in
terests Of peace, the United States
and Britain must push with max
imum speed their military prep
aration for the defense of the free
world.
Essentially, the President and
Prime Minister in their joint sum-
mary yesterday of their historic
talks here, put the blame squarely
on Russia and Red China for the
dangerous state of world affairs.
And they called on those nations
to change their ways so "the de-
fense preparation" would become
unnecessary.
This proposal to end the East
West arms race, qualified as it was
with rejection of any "appease-
ment" or any Korean settlement
which would have the effect of
"reWarding aggression" apparent
ly has little prospect of Com
munist acceptance.
Well-informed diplomats said
the proposal was designed to make
clear to the world that the British
and American interest in defense
is paralleled by constant readiness
to seek peaceful way out of the
worlds troubles.
The communique was issued at
the White House shortly after
conclusion of the talks which be-
gan last Monday. The British
Prime Minister left Immediately
for New York, en- route to Ottawa
and London. Aides described him
as being well pleased with the
meeting.
He had come to Washington
with two principal objectives-(A
to get reinsurance that Europe re-
mains the prime defense area in
American strategy despite the ex-
plosive situation in the Far East,
and (B) to urge consultation be-
fore any United States decision to
use the atom bomb.
The communique emphasized
the need for military buildup in
Western Europe and for peace
full settlement in the Far East, if
that is possible without appease-
ment. 1t deliberately avoided re-
ferring to Chinese aggression" in
Korea and mentioned only Inter
vention."
1t also reported that Mr.. Tru-
man agreed to keep Mr.. Attlee in
formed of any circumstances
which might appear to make the
use of the atomic bomb necessary.
That was generally assessed as an
implied promise of the opportu-
nifty for consultation.
Both British and American Of
ficials said no secret agreements
had been made during the talks.
Main Problems Listed.
The joint official statement |
disclosed both agreements and
disagreements covering these main
problems:
Korea-The United States and |
Britain are ready 'to seek an end |
to the hostilities by negotiation"
If the Chinese Reds are not will
ing to join an arrangement to
end their Intervention and restore
Korea's independence, the United
Nations will have to decide what
to do about the situation.
Rearmament - The military
power of the United States and
Britain should be increased as
rapidly as possible" because "ade-
quate defense forces are essential
if war is to be prevented" Mr..
Truman and Mr.. Attlee want
early appointment of a supreme
commander for projected Euro
pean defense forces.
Peace-The defense buildup of
the Western powers is a purely de-
fensive measure. They agreed they
would do everything possible to
impress this view" on the Red
leaders and ito seek peaceful So
luton of existing issues" In
formed officials said such efforts
would be made through the United
Nations.
Hopes Against Use of A-Bomb.
Atomic bomb-Mr. Truman told
Mr.. Attlee he hoped world condi-
tions would never call for the use
of the atomic bomb" but that he