The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-08
SOUTH.
us. Officials
See POW Truce
As Encouraging
eY JOHN N. iiIcHToWER

lead quickly to a truce in Korea.
But they were gravely concerned
whether, South Korea would OBJ
serve cease-fire.
First reaction of those officials
who have been closely identified
with armistice negotiations was
that word of the signing of the
POW agreement constituted, as
one informant said, "the most en-
couraging news we have had in
some time"
SIT allows us TO hope that at long
last this collective action by the
United Nations win result in res
toration Of, peace TO Korea" added
this informant, asking not to be
named.
State Department officials said
any detailed formal comment from
government leaders here would
come only after reports had been
received from Gen. Mark Clark,
the U. N. commander.
There was no immediate COM
nnent from the White House.
DR.. You Chan Yang, the Korean
ambassador, was no. reached but
an aide said he would have no
comment until previously sched-
uled news conference at the en-
bassy later in the day.
but you can say this" said Pyo
Wook Han, embassy counselor. "As
far as the Korean people are con-
eerned they cannot accept any
truce permitting the Communist
Chinese aggressor to remain in the
northern half Of our country"
Concern over what the South Ko-
reans viii do arises from the fact
that their government leaders in
the last few days have bitterly crit
icized the truce terms and threat
ened to 60 on fighting for Korean
unification.
President Eisenhower Saturday
offered South Korean President
Syngman Rhee, in a personal mes
sage, 3 mutual defense pact with
the United States. Rhee had re-
Quested such q treaty to protect"
South Korea after an armistice.
But be had coupled with this
demand that such treaty should
be followed by withdrawal Of Com.
mnnist and U. N. forces from Ko-
rea. Officials here interpreted his
demands as meaning that he want
ed a free hand for future military
action with q guarantee Of Ameri-
can support In ease he ran into
trouble.
These officials said that Eisen-
bowers message, while promising
. defense pact should leave no
doubt In Rhee's mind that the u. S.
would not sign a blank check COW
ering what they think he has in
mind.
They hope, however, that the
promise Of the pact underwriting
South Korea's security would prove
sufficient 10 persuade Rhee to 60
along with : truce, however much
ne and his associates may dislike
lbs terms.
Dispatches from Seoul early to.
day quoted Rhee as saying II have
not decided yet" whether to accept
the Eisenhower offer Of a mutual
defense pact. Ton aides of the
South Korean Chief Executive
were quoted as saying such a u. S.
guarantee would have to be made
B.
In his letter to Rhec. Eisenhower
nc, 1.s.S ) I, .ss.
agreement ''wolld be made only
with the advice aud consent Of the
Senate There appeared to be no
major obstacles in that connection,
however.
Sen. Ferguson (R.Miehl said
yesterday that II would think
tw0.thirds vote - the majority
necessary TO ratify treaties
''cnuld be obtained"
''It ! peace Is made" Ferguson
said during d CHS television pro.
gram, ''by all means America
would aid al that they could in
Arlrging Korea back 10 a normal
courary,"
ne aa,l.a Ao.r.,..x ak.e n..x
persons b Congress viii be dis
satisfied with a truce which does
not unity Korea, and that he thinks
4 divided K1TSa will leave "a stu.
asi0n In Asia that viii be Z powder
key
But he conceded that ratification
the major aim II Rhee's govern.
uaent-probahly could not be ob.
sAlnsd without military victory.
lie added that ''it vii be very diff
ficuls 10 50 back iate battle after
yeu have IN armissiee. /"
Influential legislators indicated
ever the week end that they fear
the armistice win be followed hy a
hons and hitter wEanrle over peace
terms with . possible split be,
tween the L. S. aud her chief al
les, Britain and france. over
some proposals.
n this connection. one big issue
almost certain tn be raised BY the
Communists Is the possible admis.
sion 30 Communist China 10 the
Ftniaaa Netsa.. ..t.Afnm gsttmm