Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1951-04-20
Policy Showdown
Demanded From
High Command

WASHINGTON, APhIL % =
tRp-Gen. Douglas MacArthur's
claim that the Joint Chiefs Of
staff once shared his views on
korean war strategy fired de-
mands in Congress today for
policy showdown with the milf
tary high command.
The 71-year-old General of the
Army had gone on to New York,
there to receive the nations big
gest welcome home, but he left
behind him capital torn with the
bitterest controversy of a decade.
From Democrat as we'll as Re-
publican lawmakers came de-
mands that the joint chiefs of
staff answer quickly whether
they agree from a military
standpoint with a four-point
Tvin-the-war program the deposed
Pacific commander laid before
cheering Congress yesterday
The Truman administration re-
piled Immediately to MacArthur's
statement that he believed his
strategy views had been shared in
the past by most military men,
including our own Joint Chiefs
of Staff"
The reply did not directly re-
fute that declaration. Clayton
Fritchey, Chief Public Relations
man of the Defense Department,
said he had been authorized by
the White House to say President
Truman's action in firing Mac
Arthur" was based on the I'M
animouS recommendations of tho
Presidents principal civilian and
military advisers including the
Joint Chiefs OF Staff "
The statement also referred TO
the reasons for MacArthur's GUST
er-Mr. Truman's expressed be-
lief the five-Star General was un-
able to give his whole hearted
support to administration Far
Eastern policy.
Macarthur program for prose
cution of the Korean War was in
effect a protest against the ad
ministration's efforts to limit it
strictly to the embattled Korean
Peninsula
Why, my soldiers asked OF
me, surrender military advantages
to IN enemy in the field?" he
said, Il could not answer"
The Macarthur program involv-
ed I'd Intensification of the econ
omic blockade against the Chinese
Reds, f2) Naval blockade Of the
China coast, 90 Authority for Al
lied airpower TO operate over
Manchuria, and (4) Logistical
(supplyl support of the Chinese
NationaliSts for effective opera
ton against the Chinese main
land"
Lawmakers rose and checred
as Macarthur said it was his un-
derstanding that. from a military
standpoint, these views had been
shared in the past by the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
Gen. Omar Bradley, chairman
of the top military policy group,
had no direct comment, but he
told reporters after a speech at
Chapel Hill, N. c., that as advisers
to Mr.. Truman the Joint Chiefs
render our advice to him on
militay point of view"
IF we ae going to be of use
to the President, we feel our ad
vice should be confidential" Brad
ley added. I'VE would be destroy
ing our usefulness if it was pub
lic."
clined to amplify and "thc
Bradley also said and de-
question of General MscArthur's
relief is primarily political one"
He added, Il am a military mar"
OF MacArthur's statement he
thought the Joint Chiefs had
seen eye to eye with him. Senator
Kerr tD-Okla,) said 7 do not be-
lievc that statement" Appearing
last night on radio forum" ire
porter's roundedup." MBSl. Kerr
said the General should explain
why, if he believes that, the
Joint Chiefs recommended his
Senators Long (D-La.) and
Hunt tD-Wyol said the Joint
Chiefs position must be cleared
I'D Immediately Chairman Rus
sell tD-Ga indicated II would he
when DELAYED IN
luiry begins into far eastern mili-
AIRY and foreign policies.
But Long said the statement
must not be left to lie unanswer-
d until Macarthur comes bark
o Washington. probably late in
he month. for an appearance be-
ore the group.
Rep. Mahen D-Tex9, chairman
Continued Oh page two