The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-04-11
WORLD WAR Il HERO IS RELIEVED OF COMMAND: R|DGWAY TAKING OVER;
 CRITICISM IS EXPRESSED

Gen. James A. Van Fleet will suc- ceed to that post.
 Cause for Dismissal
 Two Macarthur statements led directly to the dismissal. The first was the generals March 20 letter to Rep Martin, Massachusetts Re- publican, supporting Martins idea for using Chaing's troops and add ing the view that Asia was the vital theater of war against Communism. The second was MacArthur's an- nouncement of March "A in which he sought to talk peace directly in the field with the Red Chinese com mander; this action led to scrap ping of plans for another statement by the IA LIN nations having forces n Korea.
 Tn addition, the White House made public secret messages showing Mac Arthur had been reminded of di- rectives, that statements on policy must be cleared with Washington.
 Tragic Error Says Taft
 There were indications in Wash ngton that congressional supporters :. ,f Macarthur would insist he now be called in to testify on his views. Senator Taft of Ohio, chairman of he Senate Republican Policy Com nittee, said President Truman made tragic error in firing Macarthur.
 "The decision indicates determ- nation to continue the wavering. painless course in the Far East and points to either a stalemate in Korea IT to ignominius concessions to the Chinese Comfriunists.r Taft said. Senator Know1and. California Re- publican. saw the custer as the fore- runner to a Far Eastern Munich. Senator Wherry of Nebraska. Re- publican floor leader, contended the majority of Americans back Mac- Arthur.
 Britain Pleased, Of Course
 There were expressions of. relief .n Britain, whose officials had voic- d concern to Washington over MacArthur's statements. Several British leaders had said MacArthur overstepped himself. as military commander. in issuing statements they regarded as political. First available editorial reaction in Lon- ion was that President Truman had shown courage in dismissing man who had become menace to Allied unity" That was the view point of the London Star Uiberap.
 Russians Happy
 A former chief of staff of the German Army, Heinz Guderian, ;aid the custer would make the Rus ;ians happy There was no immed- late comment from Soviet Russia. but western diplomats in Moscow expressed belief the chances for Korean peace settlement was in creased.
 FOrmOSa stunned
 And in Formosa Chiang Kali Sheks stronghold. officials saw the action as stunning blow. MacAr- thur was their leading advocate of U. s. aid for striking back against Red China.
 At the LIN headquarters, South Korean spokesmen made no public comment, but left no doubt in prl- vate conversations that they were unhappy. Most of the official re- action at the LIN was that this was United States matter, since the leadership of the unified command in Korea had been left to Washing ton. Nonetheless. some of the JUN delegations could not disguise their satisfaction at the action taken.
 There was similar reaction from India, which has sought to be a go- between in negotiations with Peip- ing. officials at New Delhi express ed belief the way now was open to renewal of diplomatic efforts to end the war, despite the fact the Red Chinese have rebuffed LIN ef- forts.