Evening star., 1952-05-08
Truman POW Stand
Leaves Reds Facinq
Truce or War Choice
By Elton c. Foy
Associated Press Stan Writer

BY Elton c. Foy
Associated Press Stan Writer
An uncompromising announce
ment by President Truman that
this is our position" left the
Asiatic Communists today with
the choice of accepting what is
apparently the final Allied armis-
tice offer or continuing a war
that has cost them much and
gained them little.
While the Communists mulled
over the Presidents declaration
late yesterday that the United Ma
tions' three-point proposal must
be accepted in entirety, mill
tary and diplomatic officials here
weighed the alternatives to be
used if the offer is spurned.
If the Chinese and Korean Reds
turn down the one-package pro-
posal. including the point that
there be no forced return of
prisoners who don't want to go
back, the prospects for continued
war seemed uppermost. The shape
this war could take-more pro-
longed stalemate on the existing
battleline. a blockade of Red
China's ports. attacks on the
China coast-figured in several
alternatives considered by the
United States and it's Allies, who
are united on the three-point
plan
Atom Bomb Not Considered.
The chance of a diplomatic ef-
fort outside Korea to settle the
dispute remained at least a pos
sibility. Deputy Defense Secre.
tary William c. Foster was asked
by reporters yesterday If direct
negotiations with Russia, MASTER
Communist nation, had been con-
sidered. Mr.. Foster replied that
"every alternate has been consid-
|ered," including that one. Use of
the atom bomb, he said, has notI
been considered.
The single-package proposal
submitted by Gen. Ridgway'S ne
gotiators at Panmunjom and sup
ported by the U. N. Allies contains
these three points:
l. THAT there shall be no forced
repatriation of prisoners of war
as the Communists have insisted"
(the Presidents summary of the
point). A poll has shown that
100000 of the $4,000 prisoners
would oppose return to Communist
hands. This was bitter blow to
Communist prestige.
2. The United Nations will not
insist on prohibiting reconstruc-
tion or repair of airf1elds in Com
munist areas.
3. The commission to supervise
the armistice shall include two
Communist satellite nations, Po-
land and Czechoslovakia, and two
chosen by the United Nations,
Sweden and Switzerland.
Precise on First Issue.
1t was the first point that was
at issue and it was that one over
which the President was precise
and adamant. He said I'VE will
not buy an armistice by turning
over human beings for slaughter
or slavery"
Mr.. Truman declared the U. n.
had taken extreme care in sep
arating the 100000 prisoners who
said they would oppose return
from the 10000 who wanted to go|
back. adding that the U. N. would
agree to an impartial screening,
after an armistice. of the prisoners.
The mechanics of such SCREEN
ing are still under consideration.
Mr.. Truman said nothing could
be fairer."
Taking the case directly to the
Russians could have indirect bene-
ficial results for the Allies even if
the Kremlin rejected the armistice
proposal. A rejection by Moscow
would leave Russia in the position
of virtually ordering her Chinese
and Korean satellites to continue
a war which has helped only the
Russian Communists.
Cost of Warfare.
The Korean war has pinned
down in that remote part of the
world seven United States divi-
Isions. substantial portions of the
United States Air Force and ships
and planes of the Navy. It has
cost the United States 108. 900 bat
tie casualties and the loss of
planes, ground force arms and
equipment and a few small ships.
That, as the Kremlin wanted. has
helped disperse American military
strength.
But the war has cost the Chi
Inese and Korean Armies an esti-
mated 1,17O,00O battle casualties
and loss of weapons and equip
ment hard to replace. And after
almost two years the Communists
stand about where they were at
the start, near the 38th Parallel
dividing North and South Korea.
They may choose, of course, to
continue standing there. behind
the Notifications in depth which
they have built up along the stale
mated battle line since truce talks
started last summer.