Evening star., 1951-01-24
By the Associated Press


LONDON, Jan. 24.-The tert
OF statement on Korea By
Prime Minister Clement Attlee
to the House of Commons yes-
terday:
Before dealing with the position
which has been reached in the
Political Committee on the Assem-
bly,, I would ask permission of the
House to summarize very briefly
events which have taken place since
made my statement on Decem-
ber IA.
Members will recall that, on nv
return from Washington, reported
to the House on the very full and
useful discussions which I had with
the President of the United States.
He agreed that aggression must
be halted but equally that the
conflict should not be extended; and
that our long-range objective was
to reach stable position in the
Far East.
This, in effect, was a restatement
of the policy which has been fol-
lowed by His Majesty's Government
in regard to the Far East ever
since we assumed office. 1t can
perhaps be best defined as apply
ing certain basic principles to the
facts of the situation.
Basic Fact to Be Faced.
In connection with China, it ap-
peared TO His Majesty's Govern
ment that the basic fact to be
faced was the emergence of a new
government, which was in effective
control of the mainland territory of
China.
Chinese intervention in Korea
produced a new and most serious
situation which jeopardized the at
tainment of the obiectives Of the
United Nations in Korea and
threatened the success of our eff
forts to confine the conflict to
Korea and to reach stable posi-
ton in the Far East.
The government welcomed the
initiative taken by a number of
Asian and Middle Eastern states in
December to bring about a cease
fire in Korea in order to explore the
possibilities of a negotiated settle
ment.
Their fresh proposals were re-
jected by the Chinese Peoples Gov
ernment on December % on the
grounds not only that the cease-f1re
principles were unacceptable in
themselves, but that the Cease-Fire
Committee was an illegal body be-
cause of exclusion of the Central
Peoples Government from the
United Nations Organization.
New and Dangerous Situation.
In face of this rejection, which
conceded with strong military pres
sure endangering the United Ma
tions forces in Korea, obviously
new and very dangerous situation
was created
Despite the rejection of their
proposals for a cease-f1re. the
Cease-Fire Committee displayed the
utmost patience and perseverance
and proceeded to draft a set of
general principles which, in their
view, might form the basis for a
settlement in the Far East.
Before, however, these principles
had been tabled at the Political
Committee, the prime ministers of
the Commonwealth met in London
in accordance with long-standing
erranoements.
It was, I venture to think, of
the greatest value that; at this
difficult stage in the DEVELOPMENT of
the Far Eastern situation, the prime
ministers of the free countries of
the British Commonwealth, repre-
senting so many races and points
of view, should have met in London
for the purpose of discussing inter-
national affairs and The nainte-
nance of world peace.
Unanimity of Purpose.
In point of fact, much Of the |
time of the prime ministers was
given to the fairs of Asia, and I
personally find it encouraging and
stimulating to note that unanimity |
of purpose which animated all.
We all recognized that the prob .
lem OF peace was that of removing .
tho causes of war, of easing tensioN .
and promoting understanding, of
assisting those less-developed na-
tions which needed our aid. and Of /
being at all times willing to discuss
our differences.
We agreed also on the urgency