Evening star., 1951-05-05


he left the Senate caucus room
Senators younger than he. b
Republican, of New Hampshire
Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia.
is opposed to communism. It
doesn't necessarily mean that we
approve of everything he says
or does. But it does mean that
he assists us in our resistance to
this world menace; and that any
choice between him and commu-
nism would naturally resolve in
his favor.
The reason that these people
would support him as symbol
is because of that basic fact, Sen
ator.
Senator Kefauver-I think II
is very important to have your
view on that in the record, and
appreciate it.
Gen. MacArthur-We, ourselves
Senator, for many, many years
completely supported him; all dur
ing the war against Japan we
fought alongside of him. He was
a trusted, respected ally. There
was nothing in his government
that was different then than what
it was when he passed into de-
feat. We supported him COM
pletely then. We supported him
largely because of his interests
were parallel to our own. And if
we support him now, it should be
for the same reason-because his
interests happen to be parallel to
our own. And those interests are
to stop the spread of this i'm
perialistic totalitarianism, to stop
the concept that Asia shall be
dragged down and revert again to
slavery.
Senator Kefauver-Yes, I know
of course that we supported him
Gen. Macarthur, but in this coun-
try we have had a good deal OF
debate and some statements to
the effect that one reason why he
lost in the effort, that it was
thought at least some of the other
people of Asia did not support
him; that while he was against
communism, still his own govern
ment was not too clean, and they
had lost considerable confidence
in the leadership of Chang Kai-
shek throughout Asia as evidenced
by the fact that he had lost the
battle and he did not truly repre-
sent the Asiatic people any longer
but I have stated l think you
answered that fairly fully.
COntentment on FOrmOsa.
Gen. MacArthur-In great in
ternational decisions. if they are
to be based upon the details OF
corruption in government. Sen
ator, there would be few coun-
tries that would pass unscathed
Senator Kefauver-Well, do you
think that the Chang govern
ment is better now than it was
when he was driven from the
Gen. MacArthur-I specifically
went through FormoSa. I was sur
prlsed at the contentment found
there.
I found that the people were
enjoying a standard of living
which was quite comparable to
what it was before the war.
found a financial system which
at that time was about as sound
as anything in the Far East ex-
Icept Japan. I found representative
government being practiced.
I want to call attention, too
Senator, to the basic theme that
runs through your queries. and il
is to this effect: That our own
Government still recognizes the
'genearliSsimo. He still has all OF
the rights and privileges of being
IA member of the international
comfy of nations. -.
Asked About Martin Letter.
Senator Kefauver-Gen. Mac
Arthur, I want to, if possible. gel
the record straight as to one
thing. That is that when you
wrote the letter March 20 to
Congressman Martin, had you re-
ceived the information from the
State Department of the same day
that any further statements by
you must be co-ordinated as pre-
scribed in the order December 6
or do you remember?
Gen. Macarthur had not.
Senator Kefauver DO you
know when you received the in
formation given you the goth OF
March. 1851?
Gen. MacArthur-I think it was
the 25th, Senator.
Senator Kefauver-But you did
not feel that the letter to Con-
gresham Martin would have re-
quired co-ordinating his letter as
required by the order of March
10th? I mean you did not feel
that the order of March Goth
affected things like your letter to
Congressman Martin?
Gen. Macarthur - Not in the
slightest. see nothing in review
ing the case with all the informa-
ton had, how the letter to Con-
fgressman Martin was affected in
any degree by any directive that
I ever Mceived.