Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-05-28
u. N. Unity at Ponmuniom


ception of the South Koreans, there now appears
to be strong inter-allied agreement on the
modified proposals put forward by the American
directed United Nations Command in an effort
to break the prisoner of-war deadlock at Pan
munjom. The Communist neutrality-suspicious.
or rejection-presumably will not be known
until after the truce talks resume next Sunday.
Meanwhile, since the proposals themselves are
still wrapped in secrecy, all one can be sure Of
is that speculation about them addy up, at
least, to informed guesswork.
There is nothing speculative, however, about
what President Eisenhower has Just had to
say on the subject. For he has emphaticaly
assured everybody without qualification or
equivocation, that the proposals are based on
three principles from which there will be no
departure or retreat-namely, mo prisoners will
be repatriated by force. No prisoners will be
coerced or inundated in any way. And there
must be definite limit to the period of their
captivity" He has pointed out, further, that
these principles, besides having the full support
Of the allied U. N. powers participating in the
Korean war, are the same as those contained in
the Indian plan adopted by the General Assem-
bly, last December by vote of 81 to s. with the
Soviet bloc alone dissenting.
Significantly enough, Prime Minister Nehru,
reversing his criticism Of the u. N. Commands
earlier proposals. has been quick to indorse the
new ones and back up the Presidents comment
on them. Thus, in hope-f1led statement at
New Delhi, he has declared that they come so
close to the Assembly approved plan that
there is no reason why there should be any
further differences" to block an armistice
agreement at Panmunjom. Indeed, in his judg-
ment, the way has now been opened for both
sides to reach such an agreement very soon and
A.~ .~1,. l..
His views on that score may be q bit too
optimistic, but since they tend to make India
an advocate of the terms offered by the United
Nations-a fact of considerable Importance in
the field Of Asian public opinion-they may
have a persuasive effect on the enemy at
Panmunjom
And similar effect may flow from the
position taken by Prime Minister Churchill.
Not many days ago real Anglo American rift
seemed to be developing over the truce talks,
and the Communists undoubtedly derived
good deal of comfort from it. But now, speak
ing for his own country and apparently for all
the Commonwealth nations as well, Sir Winston
has been at pains to put out special statement
emphasizing that the u MS revised proposals
have the complete support" of the British.
Coupled with the backing of our other allies in
Korea this is something that can hardly fail
to make an impression on the enemy, at least
to the extent of showing that our side, far from
splitting apart is holding fast together on the
POW issue.
In sunl-aside from the South Koreans,
whose sharp dissent is based on understandable
long-range fears that may or may not be
exaggerated-the U. N Commands negotiators
have the strength of allied unity behind them
as they wait now for Sundays meeting at
Dor IyIaoA %1aoA
the Communists, If they really want a truce,
must accept the terms offered them to insure
that every prisoner will be handled in keeping
with the principles set forth by President
Eisenhower. If the enemy rejects this, then it
will be clear that there is no good faith in him,
and the war will have to 60 on with our side
obliged to decide whether to tolerate con-
tinuing stalemate or to go about in pursuit of
decisive military victory.