Evening star., 1951-05-08
Truman Statement
On Korea Policy

secretary MdfSQdl - Yes, SIT d,
there was another occasion, which
l will refer to in a moment, but
his relief was not based solely on
those factors.
During the early part of March,
when it appeared likely that the
forward movement of the United
Nations forces would soon bring
them back to the vicinity of the
38th Parallel, it was decided that
consideration should be given to
the preparation of a statement to
be issued by the President as the
executive agent of the United Ma
tions. relating to the possibility of
obtaining a negotiated settlement
for the Korean conflict.
After a series of discussions be-
tween the Joint Chiefs of Staff
and representatives of the Depart
ment of State. a draft of a pro-
posed presidential declaration on
the Korean situation was prepared
by the State Department. This
draft was made the subject of dis
cuSsion at a meeting on the 18th
of March between the Secretary
of State and several of his assist
ants, the Secretary and Deputy
Secretary of Defense, and the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, at which
general agreement was reached
concerning the substance of the
proposed presidential declaration
On March 20 the Joint Chiefs
of Staff dispatched the following
message to Gen. Macarthur:
State planning presidential
announcement shortly that with
clearing of bulk of South Korea
of aggressors, United Nations now
prepared to discuss conditions of
settlement in Korea. United Ma
tions feeling exists that further
diplomatic efforts towards settle
ment should be made before any
advance with major forces north
of the 38th Parallel. Time will be
required to determine diplomatic
reactions and permit new negotia-
tionS that may develop.
Recognizing that the parallel
has no military significance, State
has asked Joint Chiefs of Staff
what authority you should have to
permit sufficient freedom of ac-
ton for next few weeks to provide
security for United Nations forces
and maintain contact with the
enemy. Your recommendation de-
sired"
Asked End of Curbs.
In his reply on the 21st of
March, Gen. Macarthur stated
that his present directive estab-
fishing security of command was
adequate for his needs.
He also requested that no fur.
Ither limitations be imposed upon
him.
On the oath of March, Gen
Macarthur issuel a public state
ment with respect to the Korean
conflict. In this statement Gen
Macarthur discussed the compare
tive military situations of the Chi
nese Communists and the United
Nations forces in Korea, particu-
larly pointing out the military
weakness of Red China.
He stated that should the
United Nations depart from it's eff.
fort to confine the war to the area
of Korea and expand military
operations to Red China, Rec
China would be doomed to the risk
of imminent military collapse.
He further pointed out that il
these basic facts were established
there should be a no difficulty ir
ARRIVING at decisions on the Korean
problem, provided the issues were
resolved on their own merits with.
out being burdened by such mat.
ters as Formosa and Red China.
seat in the United Nations.
He stated further that thu
fundamental questions continued
to be political in nature and mus
find their answers in the politica
sphere.
He added that within his au.
thority as military commander hi
stood ready to confer in the fielc
with the commander in chief o.
the enemy forces in an effort tt
find any military means whereby
the realization of the political OBJ
jectives of the United Nations
might be accomplished.
| At the time the foregoing state