Evening star., 1951-07-02
Gen. Ridgway Granted
Full Authority 10 Deal
With Reds for Truce
BY John M. Hiehtower

ASt0SioIe0 ftGSS toieiS"
Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway has
full authority and instructions for
dealing with the Communist pro-
posal that Korean armistice talks
open next week.
Diplomatic officials expect that
the United Nations commander
would consult Washington before
making his next move. however
The initial reaction here showed
no objection to accepting the Com
munist proposals on time ano
place.
HOPES for an early end to the
var in Korea were steadily mount
ing, although State Department
officials kept a tight rein on any
strong optimism. They empha-
sized that the agreement to hold
truce talks, though making peace
a definite possibility, leaves un-
solved the whole problem OF work
ing out cease-fire terms acceptable
to both sides.
Connally "Gratified."
Chairman Connally Of the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee
said he was highly gratified" at
Red acceptance of the peace talk
proposal. Senator Wiley, Repub-
lican. of Wisconsin. called for
caution, saying the Russians may
want the pressure off in Korea
for a buildup to hit in 1ndo-Chlna
Burma or somewhere else" Sen
ator Mundt, Republican, OF South
Dakota also urged caution, speak
ing of possible Trojan horse tac'
tics by the Russian bear"
Qualified infolmants said term:
which the United States woule
like to see negotiated. were SEN
to Gen. Ridgway Saturday. The!
were described as tentative.
They are reported to provide
principally for a 20-mile-wid'
buffer zone between the hostile
forces along the present battl'
line which cuts across the 38tl
Parallel in the west.
If the armistice calls for th'
troops to stand in this area, they
will have better defensive posi-
tions and shorter lines to worry
about on both sides, military ex'
pertS said.
The main item which this Gov.
ernment feels must be included II
any truce arrangements, however
is one for inspection of forces OF
both sides through a United Ma
tions cease-flre commission.
Full Authority Favored.
Washington feeels the inspection
group, charged with preventing
armistice violations, should hav'
authority from both sides to in
vestigate throughout Korea unit
establishment of a political settle
ment. That would take a loni
time to work out.
The Communist announcement
yesterday accepting Gen. Ridg
ways offer of armistice negotla
tions does not appear to call TO
action by the Washington repre-
sentatives of the Is nations whicl
have forces in Korea since it is
detail in the process Of arrangln
negotiations.
The South Korean governmen
is due to join the group at its mex
session, raising its membership t
IT and also, some officials believe
injecting a discordant note int
the proceedings. South Korea ha
strongly opposed stopping the wa
on the 38th Parallel, contendin
that would thwart uniflcation c
the whole country.
The Communist response
Gen. Ridgway's offer imposed n
condition on their acceptance {
negotiations. The idea Of meet
ing at Kaesong rather than aboar
a Danish hospital ship at the hal
Dor at Wonsan, as Gen Ridgwa
suggested, was put forth as pre-
posal rather than an absolu,
condition.
Authorities here said in the
initial studies of the message frol
the Reds that it seemed reason
able that land army leaders lik
Korean Gen. Kim II Sung an
Chinese Gen. Peng Teh-hu
would prefer to meet at son
midway land position rather tina
aboard ship.
The delay Of 10 days in openir
the talks may be partly accounts
for by the desire Of the Red leae
ers to conclude the buildup
forces that has been reports
underway on their side north
Kaesong.