Evening star., 1951-05-05

cate it.
Senator McMahon-You would
not differ from that opinion
general? If we were to fight a
victorious war with China, will
you tell this committee how the
armed strength Of the Soviet
Union would be impaired; that is
assuming she does not come into
| the war?
Purpose in Korean War.
Gen. MacArthur-As have said
SO frequently, Senator. our pur-
pose. as I see 1t in the Korean war
is to force China to stop her ag-
gression in North Korea. It does
not necessarily mean the over
whelming of China, it simply
means that sufficient pressure be
brought upon her to make hel
stop killing our boys by the
thousands in Korea.
Just how that might impinge
with reference to the Soviet forces
is purely speculative.
Senator McMahon-Well, gen,
eral, you make a pretty gooc
speculation if Russia does no.
come in, and we do go into China
in a limited way for the further
extension of a new limited war, il
wouldn't impair the ITS division.
that the Soviets are reputed t,
have, or the $4,000 operationa
aircraft. nor her stockpile ane
growing stockpile of atomic weap,
ons, is that not true?
Gen. MacArthur-If you NEAR
to say, as you yourself said yes.
terday. calling attention to thu
alliance between the Soviet anl
China, that the diminution Of
China's potential power doesn'
diminish the total power of com.
munism throughout the world
why. that would be fallacious
Senator.
Senator McMahon-I asked
general, about it's dimunition o!
their military striking power, anc
I listed their aircraft, their atomic
weapons, and their ITS divisions
It is obvious that we agree they
are our main enemy-that ths
Soviet Union is.
Gen. MacArthur-I didn't agree
to it.
Senator McMahon-You did not
agree?
Gen. MacArthur-I said that
communism throughout the world
was our main enemy.
Senator McMahon-I see.
Gen. MacArthur-It is your
argument to confine it to one
section of the world.
Senator McMahon-I see. And
you have the feeling that if we
take over China, that we will have
made
Gen MacArthur-I didn't say
we would ever take over China,
Senator. / said to the contrary
yesterday, that we had no objec-
tlyes in China proper. except to
put sufficient force in China so
that she would stop her depreda-
ton in North Korea.
Senator Northumberland, as
I take it, you have no opinion to
give us as to when we will be best
prepared for a war that would
include the Soviet Union, if one
had to come?
Gen. MacArthur-Such studies
as that, Senator, are made by
higher authority than my own.
They are available, I am sure, to
you.
Senator McMahon-And, as a
former Chief of Staff of the Army
you realize that those higher au-
thorlties have to take into account
many factors which a theater
commander cannot take into ac-
count?
Gen. Macarthur - Unquestion-
ably.
Lists Some Factors.
Senator McMahon-What are
some OF these factors, general?
Gen. MacArthur-Some of those
factors are the general resources
that would be available to us and
our Allies; the strengths that
would be available to the enemy
the disposition of the forces; the
general political atmosphere that
prevails; the controversial oues-
tlons that might arise between the
governments. and many other
things which, of course, would be
much beyond any sector COM
mander's responsibility.
Senator McMahon-That is
very helpful, general, and those
are the factors which you assumed
That these men whom you believe
to be competent have weighed
and must weigh, in relation to our
glooal policy and our global de-
fense.
Gen. MacArthur-That is not
only their responsibility, Senator
put 1t is their authority.
Senator McMahon-And. gen.
eral-
Gen. MacArthur-It is inherent
IN their command position.
Senator Mcmahon Continuing,
If they show up here and saw
that they have weighed all of
those factors. and they believe
That the policy which we are
pursuing in the East is the correct
one, I assume that you would
agree with them inasmuch as you
nave not studied those factors
which will influence the opinion
OF these competent men?
Gen. MacArthur-Any decisions
tney'd make, Senator, are like all
otner human decisions. They
nave to pass before the high
court of public opinion.
The fact that any group in au-
Inorlty, in carrying out it's re-
'ponslolllties makes decisions, that
"hen they make that decision
every man accepts it as an in
correct one is absurd.
Senator Mcmahon - General