Evening star., 1951-12-09
TrumonSudde denIyEndsV ocotion
ToF!yHere Todoyfor ak kWith
Joint Chiefs and State Officials
Mystery Surrounds
Purpose Of PorIey
Set for Tomorrow


back to Washington today for a
hastily summoned meeting with
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
State Department officials tomor-
row morning.
There was no explanation at
the Presidents vacation head
quarters in Key West of the
reason for the meeting.
The best sources available In
Washington speculated that it in
volved crucial decisions concern
ing the Korean truce negotiations.
Officials here insisted they knew
of no new crisis requiring the
Presidents return.
But even some of those expected
to attend the meeting at the
White House at 1890 am. tomor-
row professed not to know exactly
what it was about.
Mystery Surrounds Decision.
At Key West. where reporters
travelling with Mr.. Truman had
expected him to remain at least
another week, an air of mystery
was put around his sudden deci-
sion to return here today.
The reporters were notified
shortly before 6 pm. to report to
the press room at the Key West
naval base for news conference
at $50 pm.
At the conference. Irving PERL
meter. assistant press secretary
to the President, announced:
"The President has decided to
depart at pm. tomorrow (Sun-
day. in order to be in Washington
for a meeting he has called for
1890 Monday morning in the
White House of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and representatives of
the State Department"
Evades Answers.
Mr.. Perlmeter was asked the
purpose of the unexpected return.
That's the purpose" he said,
referring to his oral announce
ment.
Asked if the Korean truce nego-
tiationS were involved, he said:
81 can't answer any further ques-
tions."
Then he was asked if he would
give the usual answer that this
is not an emergency"
Il have said all can" he re-
piled.
The Presidents decision came
after he had a long conference
at Key West earlier yesterday
with James S. Lay, executive sec
retary of the National Security
Council.
Issues concerning Government
policy in major problems such as
the Korean affair normally are
tfreshed out in the National
Security Council among top Off
cials of the State and Defense De-
partments and other agencies con-
cerned with agreed recommenda-
tions going to the President for
final decision.
Some of those familiar with Mr..
Truman's methods of operation
speculated that he decided, rather
than make decisions on the basis
of information relayed to him by
Mr.. Lay, to hurry back here and
confer personally with those ham
ding the problems before making
up his mind.
Negotiations DeadlOcked.
One question calling for an
early decision is the extent to
which the United Nations COM
mand should compromise with the
Communists in Korea on arrange
ments for a truce inspection sys-
TEN.
There has been talk that the
President may take some sweep
ing new action soon in an effort
to prevent charges of corruption
from becoming a main issue in
next years election campaign. He
presumably is anxious to confer
here on what course to take.
The suddenneSs of the Presi-
dents decision was apparent. His
press secretary, Joseph Short, had
flown back to Washington Thurs
day and planned to return to Key
West tomorrow for the remainder
Of the Truman stay there.
A sudden call went out to all
White House personnel at Key
West shortly before Mr.. Perlme-
ter's announcement there. The
decision apparently caught most
of them by surprise, reporters
noted.
Mr.. Truman had been in Key
West for one month yesterday.
The White House conferees to-
morrow, in addition to the Joint
Chiefs of Staff. will include Secre.
tary of Defense Lovett and Under
secretary of State James E. Webb
who is acting secretary in the
absence of Secretary Acheson. Mr.
Acheson is en- route home by shir
from Europe.