Evening star., 1952-12-11
Macarthur and Eisenhower

PreSluenC-elecC EISENHOWER mas SHOWN gOOQ
judgment in his prompt and cordial response to
General MacArthur's indirect offer of advisory
help on the problem Of the Korean war. Coming
as it does after period of perceptible mutual
GOODNESS, the friendly exchange of messages
between these two great soldiers can hardly fail
to have a wholesome effect-not least of all in
terms of healing any wounds that may still exist
among Republicans as a result of the intraparty
battle both before and during the Chicago con-
vention.
It is not surprising, of course, that the
President-elect has acted as he has. After all,
during the recent campaign, he made point Of
declaring that he could be counted upon, If he
moved into the White House, to seek General
MacArthurs counsel on Korea and the Far East
as whole. Accordingly, now that that counsel
has been proffered-even though in roundabout
manner-it is not only right but altogether
natural and logical that he has responded to the
gesture with warm invitation to his old COM
mander to take part in informal meetings in
which my associates and may obtain the full
benefit of your thinking and experience"
Judging from his address last Friday to the
National Association of Manufacturers-which
was where he indirectly volunteered to consult
with his one-time subordinate-Gene Mac
Arthur firmly believes that he has very important
and very good advice to offer the President-elect
as in fact he may have. Thus, in his own words,
II am confident there is clear and definite
solution to the Korean conflict A present
solution involves basic decisions which recognize
as improper for public disclosure or discussion
but which in my opinion can be executed without
either an unduly heavy price in friendly casual
ties or any increased danger of provoking uni
versal conflict"
Whatever it may be, General MacArthur's
plan apparently differs from the one he had in
mind when he was dismissed from his Far East
commands in April of last year. At that time he
advocated bombing Communist bases in the
privileged sanctuary" of Manchuria, blockading
Red China and putting into battle the Chinese
Nationalist troops stationed on Formosa. But
now his views seem to have undergone revision
because-as he has put it-"There has been a
material change in conditions from those of 20
months ago when I left the scene of action, and
the solution then available and capable of sue
cess is not entirely applicable" in present cir
cumstances
In connection with his recent on-the scene
Korean survey, President-elect Eisenhower has
indicated that he is opposed to enlarging the
conflict over there, and he has been at pains to
emphasize that he has mo panaceas, no tricks"
for bringing about an easy and early end to the
war; But he has also stressed his personal convic-
tion that much and will be done to improve our
American and allied u N position, and it is in
this respect that General MacArthur-even
though his "clear and definite solution" may fail
the test of close inspection-can be a valuable
adviser. In any case, his vast experience in the
Far East certainly qualities him for such role.
Because he still is in the Army and drawing
full pay from it, General Macarthur has been
criticized on the ground that he should have
considered it his duty-as soon as he thought up
his Korean "solution"-to submit it to the Penta-
gon without further ado, and without making
a speech about it." This criticism is implicit in
President Truman's latest comment However,
considering the tremendous frigidity between
him and the present administration General
MacArthurs let-them-come tome attitude is
understandable, even If incorrect. He will be
able to discuss his views much more comfortably
with President-elect Eisenhower and his counsel
may be of great help.