Evening star., 1952-05-22

1t will be the responsibility of the
Communists, Gen. Matthew B.
Ridgway told Congress today.
He addressed a joint meeting
Of Congress in the crowded House
Text Of Ridswoy's Address. Pose A-l6
chamber. He spoke from the same
rostrum from which Gen. Mac
Arthur made his report to the
Nation 13 months ago after Presi-
dent Truman relieved him from
the Far East command.
Gen. Ridgway struck again in
strong language at the Communist
propaganda that U. N. forces in
Korea have used germ and gas
warfare. He declared:
'I wish to reiterate what I have
repeatedly stated publicly, that
these allegations are false in their
entirety; that no element of the.
United Nations command has en-
ployed either germ or gas warfare
in any form at any time"
He added that the charges are
"a monumental warning i. as
menacing and urgent as forest
fire bearing down on a wooden
village" ...
Preceded House Vote.
The Joint session for Gen. Ridg-
way came as the House was about
to vote later in the day on the
amount of money the general will
have for the defense buildup in
Western Europe when he succeeds
Gen. Eisenhower there next
month.
Gen. Ridgway, however, avoided
any reference to the pending for
eign aid bill, or to the amount
this country should spend on the
NATO command. This bore out
the statements of administration
spokesmen that Gen. Ridgway's
appearance today was not timed
to influence the House on the for
eign aid bill.
Gen. RidgWay confined his ad-
dress to conditions in the Far
East, where he has been the COM
mander.
Regarding the long-drawn-out
peace talks in Korea, the general
said the Communists have before
them today a logical, reasonable
and honorable proposal from the
u. N. for settlement of the three
remaining issues. These are air
field construction, the request that
Russia be one of the neutral su-
pervisors and the Communist de-
mand for forcible return Of pris-
onerS of war.
Won't Bargain on Issues.
Gen. Ridgway said the U. N.
stands ready to explain and clari-
fy any honest doubts or misunder-
standings regarding the three
points in dispute. He added, how
ever:
"It does not intend to bargain
on these issues, the logic of which
and the reason for which have
been repeatedly and exhaustively
debated. Acceptance or rejection,
cessation or continuance Of hos
tilities In Korea, is now the re-
sponsibility of the Communist
leaders"
Gen. Ridgway also dwelt on
the Importance of continued
friendly relations with Japan. He
minimized the significance Of the
May Day Communist riots in
Tokyo, and expressed confidence
that they did not reflect the gen.
eral attitude Of the japanese
people.
The general recounted the ex-
periences of the u. N. forces in
Korea in driving the Reds north
of the 38th parallel last year.
He said they have, a record of
fidelity. valor and cooperation
unsurpassed in all military his
tory"
Refers to Tokyo Riot.
Gen. Ridgway said the disorders
in Tokyo on May l bore the un-
mistakable stamp "of deliberate
Communist design" Throughout
the rest of Japan. the day passed
quietly, he said. The few dis
orders that occurred would have
excited little or no comment if
they took place in this country he
said.
"It would be a grave Injustice
to both japanese and Americans
to accord to this incident an ex-
aggerated Importance" the gen
eral declared. He said it had a
beneficial by-product by reveal
ing to the japanese people the OBJ
jective of Communist design.
"In short, the Japanese are at
our Side," the general continued.
"Their gaze is lifted to see the
same objective we see. They are
presently walking with us. Wheth-
er they continue or not is re-
sponsibility which rests rather
more on us in the immediate fu-
ture than on them. for our
strength Is superior, our resources
immeasurably greater, and ours is
the role Of leadership"
The only reference he made to
his new assignment in Europe
was to say that he looks forward
to the tasks ahead with con-
fidence higher than ever"