The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1952-02-14

Today the war in Korea which Mr. Truman dismissed
police action against bandits has been in pro-
gress exactly long American participation World
War That lasted 585 days and and ended total Am
erlcan victory The Korea today is 585 days old
with no end in sight
World War was in American interests but at
least Woodrow Wilson had sufficient respect for constitution
al processes to go congress and obtain declaration of
before he embarked the venture Truman to
war in Korea on his private motion He did not ask
to declare He did seek from congress the authority
to effect lawful transfer of American forces
the United Nations He simply engaged in Presidential
The Truman in Korea has never been dignified in
official records at ALL Americans killed in action
there buried headstone which bear the simple
legend, Korea" not Korean war"
1--WE not at war;" said Truman few days after he
promoted his And little while later when things
not going we'll with the slim forces which originally held
the field for he said that of course he hopeful of the
situation in Korea: it would work out all right.
1t has not worked out all right has not worked out at
all The war has now lasted long of the conflicts
which list among the major of the nations history
The number of dead wounded and missing has passed 1885,
0O0 The number of those killed the war; including
taken prisoners and killed later by the enemy about half
the number of dead in World War That very grave
cost for which Mr. Truman says is 1t
is high price to pay in any war; little or big declared
undecared.
And nobody knows what part of the final this down
payment represents Nobody knows when this will be
Chinese communist intervention late in 1880 there only
three possible courses before the United States
The first to get American forces out of Korea That
idea entertained by the administration only last
sort in the event that disaster impended
The second to defeat the Communists That the
urged by Gen Macarthur at the cost of his post
commander 1t rejected by Truman the contention
that he could not allow American forces to fight and for
fear that he did he would draw China into full fedged
war, and Russia possibly with China He preferred half
way side.
The third course the approach thru negotiation,
seeking andstl in the field thru truce, ceaseire
arsce however might be called With the of his
folly manifest to all in mounting battle casualties
unendng drain upon the treasury this the that
Truman sought He forced into this by his
ous decision that Americans could fight but that they could
not win.
For six months farccal negotiations have been in
progress with the Communists with clear sign that they
will terminate in cessation of hostites They are
indications to the conrarythat the has used the u
build his air force and regroup his ground forces for
resumption of the offensive in the spring Meanwhile during
the very time that these peace talks have been
America has suffered another 10000 casualties,
Even if the firing should be brought to stop by agree
ment should not know when it would start again.
how long would have to garrison the stricken land that
has served the battle-ground and would have proved
nothing, at terrific cost
This is the summing up, significant anniversary, OF
Trumans little" 1t ranks among the longest the
bitter and the most costly of the of history
Who tell how many more mestones and tombstones
stretch ahead AS Americans ponder these facts perhaps
they will reach conclusion helpful to the nations
future about the wisdom of permitting the Presidential
be exercised unchecked at the cost of life death
VoiceleSS people. Chicago Tribune