Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-05-27
Losses Worrying Soviet Gen. Collins Says He Ends His Testimony

lsending his message to the VFW
last fall on the strategic impor-
ltance Of Formosa.
| Gen. Collins replied that regu-
lationS require such statements as
that to be cleared through
channels" In answer to the same
question earlier in the day. the
general had said he did not know
what the basis of objection to
the message was.
Senator Wiley then asked the
general whether he had talked to
the President after he returned
from his Wake Island visit with
Gen. Macarthur last fall.
mo, sir. not that I recalled
Gen. Collins replied.
However. if I had" he added
II would have to say-just as Gen.
Bradley did the other day-that
couldn't tell you what he said"
Senator Wiley, on a second
round. questioned the witness at
length on Gen. MacArthur's let
ter to House Minority Leader
Martin calling for a more force
full policy in Korea.
Gen. Collins insisted that it
violated a Presidential directive
that foreign policy statements
be cleared with Washington, add
ing that Mr.. Martin gave the
ousted Far East commander the
option Of answering in a con-
lfidential manner.
-. He must have anticipated
that that would have been re-
leased to the press" said the
general.
Collins Replies Sharply.
Senator Wiley referred to "irri-
Itations' existing between the
Joint Chiefs and Gen. Macarthur,
and Gen. Collins finally exploded.
Il wouldn't have used that
term. The main point again that
Il am driving at. if I can presume
to try to find the basis OF your
question, is that Gen. Macarthur S
relief was not caused by an irrita :
|tion between the ChiefS Dbl Staff
and Gen Macarthur. -. I have
said I believe twice, and / am
going to ask you to let me state
lit again now. that in my judg-
Iment-and I am the only man
that is testifying right now-that
the fundamental reason for my
supporting the Presidents pro-
posal was my growing con-
viction that Gen. Macarthur was
not in consonance with the poll
cies under which we were operat-
ing :"
Gen. Collins told Senator Know
land that the Presidents sum-
mary dismissal OF Gen. Macarthur
was with the concurrence" of the
Joint Chiefs-not upon the rec
concentration" of the top military
leaders.
The Senator referred to a re-
lease by Clayton Fritchey, De-
tense Department public informa-
ton director, stating that the
action was taken on the "unani-
nous recommendation of the
Presidents principal military and
civilian advisers. including the
Joint Chiefs of Staff"
Explains Origin Of Order.
Gen. Collins-I want to make
it clear. Senator. -. that none
OF us (the Joint Chiefs saw it
tthe release) I don't know
who it was that released it. It
may have been by those who
issue what comes out of the
Secretary of Defense office, the
civilian in charge of that. and
the exact technical connotation
of Recommendation" may never
have occurred to him.
In response to a request by Sem
ator Knowland, Gen. Collins ex-
planned to the committee the
origin of a prohibition against
using officials of the Republic of
Korea in North Korea when that
part Of the country was taken over
last fall by the United Nations
forces.
In other words" Gen. Collins
testified, I'VE wanted to keep the
decks clear so that a free and
valid election could be had sol
that the people of North Korea
could pick their own mayors and
their own district representatives. !
For this reason, he explained,
President Syngman Rhee OF the
of Korea and other of
flcials could not be used except
as individual citizens.
Knowland Questions Politics.
Senator Knowland devoted his
asst 15-minute questioning period
20 the question of whether politi-
al considerations are hamstring-
ng decisions Of field commanders.
He cited one instance. in which
zen. Macarthur was instructed
asst fall not to launch about
bombing attacks against Pyong-
yang. the North Korean Com
nunist capital, without clearing
With the Pentagon. He said "Seri-
,us political implications" was
yiven as the reason.
L merely cite this as another
example of these political decisions
which were somewhat restraining II
IN the commander Gen. MacAr-
,hur), and-there may be an hon.