Evening star., 1951-05-13

does not now possess the neces-
sary military power to carry out
his stated mission to repel the en-
emy in, Korea, must we not then
logically conclude that the Korean
mission has been changed? -.
Gen. Marshall-For long time
our purpose was to halt the ag-
gression and to destroy the cause
Of the action. which was the North
Korean Army. At the present
time the method of destroying the
cause of 1t has changed.
Cat this point. Senator Cain
questioned Gen. Marshall on the
allied contribution to the Korea
war and during the exchange, sew
eral hundred words of testimony
were deleted by censor. It was
here that Senator Cain charged
a serious lack of leadership either
in the United Nations or the
United States in handling Of the
Korean campaign) 49,.
Senator Cain-If we stay where
we are in Korea without forcing
a decision by military arms, is it
not likely or is it not logical. to
assume that few more months
of this procedure will destroy the
future usefulness of all of North
Korea?
Electric Plants Saved.
Gen. Marshall-Well, of course
that is a factor in this matter, par
|ticularly as we have had to be
ruthless in destroying buildings
which shelter the enemy and con
Iceal them from our view.
AS to the hydro-electric plants
and installations of that char
Iacter, we have kept, we haven't
bombed them out in most in
stances because their relation tc
it was not Immediately so direct
as to demand that destruction
and they always remained a pos
Isibility in negotiations, but here
recently. when they blew out the
gates of the reservoir, that affects
that very directly: but that was
unavoidable. that had to be done
Senator Cain-As just a citizen
l am concerned about civilians
everywhere. Military necessity has
required us to do things in this
Forean war that we have never
had to do before, at least, so faI
as I know. in protecting the in
Itegrity Of our own troops.
AS I understand it, we have had
to pursue scorched earth policy
in front of our operations Just to
give our own people a chance to
live.
Gen. Marshall-That is correct
Senator Questions Future.
Senator Cain-Gen. Marshall
if we are to carry out our stated
mission, which is to make Korea
free, but remain satisfied with q
war which may reach no final
decision for years, will we not
inJure our ability to wage larger
war If it comes. and will we not
indicate or run a risk of indi-
eating to the free citizens of the
world that their governments
are unable to collectively get to-
gether to crush aggression, Korea
being the first example?
Gen. Marshall-Well, I would
say that if the Korean situation
prolonged itself into years, then
we are in a very difficult, very
dangerous situation.
Senator Cain Will you
state what reasons you may have
as to how we might reach a rea-
sonable and lasting settlement OF
the Korean war without con-
vincing the Chinese Reds that
they will be decisively defeated on
the field Of battle?
Gen. Marshall will say this
that our attitude in the matter
in December was one thing, we
were in very weak position;
and our attitude now is quite
another.
Senator Cain-Gen. Marshall
Gen. Macarthur testified and did
so at some length in front of q
map. that if Formosa is occupied
by an enemy, that the first line
of defense for the United States
would logically move back to the
West Coast Of America. May
ask to what extent do you agree
with this military estimate o1
that sitaution?
Gen. Marshall-I think that Il
an over-emphasis-when you put
1t that way-as to the result; but
I think it would be a highly dan.
gerous business for the United
States to have FormoSa pass intt
| f,sinv, N1vy