Evening star., 1953-07-10

Senator Alexander Wiley asks: How
can South Korea invoke the idea of
respect for pledges if it breaks pledges
itself?" Please, Senator, substitute the
word United States for South Ko-
rea," and you will be right. We are the
ones at fault-we promised a United
Korea and now we propose turning
over South Korea to our enemies and
their enemies. Why not be realistic
in this matter, and put ourselves in
DR.. Rhee'S place? BY SO doing, If we
failed to stand against handing over
half our country to the enemies we
had been fighting, we would brand
ourselves towards and our people
would never support such action. DR..
Rhee did not join the United Nations
He had good common sense. But the
United States did, and, without the con-
sent of Congress, rushed into this war.
of which the people did not approve,
but being in it, they wanted victory.
But what did we get-a checkerboard
war that cost us billions and the loss
of thousands and thousands Of soldiers
in the last three years. We never tried
to win-evidently we did not want to
win-WHY? That is the question our
people and our soldiers now in Korea
are asking Why are we trying to get
out of this fight with dishonor? 1t is
not American. Has our, Nation lost all
sense of honor in trying to leave South
Korea in the hands of their enemy and
our enemy, no matter what kind OF
truce or armiStice they signed-their
promises or signatures are not worth
the paper written on and that is
well demonstrated fact. How can Korea
violate that solemn armiStice contract"
Senator Wiley mentions, when she
never signed the contract? Our boys
should never be asked to leave Korea
or stop fighting until the enemy is van
quished and Korea is united indepen-
dent nation. That was our pledge. That
is what Syngman Rhee is standing for.
If he took any other action than the
one he is taking he would be unworthy
of his record for his people.
Margaret Hopkins WOrrell,
National president. Ladies of the
GAR, 1850.
Many years ago Virginia patriot,
the Silver-tongued Patrick Henry, at
meeting of his countrymen and at the
close of a very animated speech, cried
out. Give me liberty or give me DEATH
Was this dangerous? Indeed it was.
There were enemy officials near He
could have been arrested for treason
and shot. but he wasn't.
Now. this day. away across the world.
another great patriot. statesman and
scholar (after a week of prayer) has
expressed the same idea in more mild
and careful words but with the same
meaning. Death Is preferred to his
country disunited, which if not accom-
plished, will mean death and possible
extinction of his countrymen. The
speech of Patrick Henry shook the
world. The words of Syngman Rhee
and determination to stand for unfit
cation, are shaking much of the peace
loving world today.
Most of the people feel that. two
years ago, If the then administration
had listened to few suggestions from
a great military leader, Gen. Doug
las Macarthur, that victory could have
been achieved. We read that Gen.
Van Fleet has the same idea, that We
cannot hope for lasting peace without
an all-out victory first.
The office of President Of the United
States is the hardest in the world. We
surely have one of the most able men
in that post now and when taking the
oath of Office was civilian. Surely
he is big enough in heart and mind
to consider reinStating Gen. Macarthur
and Gen. Van Fleet and give them
special assignment" to return to Korea
and see, If at this time, they feel that
the allies, with the U. N. consent. can
still win an all-out victory. The peace
talks then would be in logical order
ITO stop in the middle of the stream
with all the casualties suffered and
money spent, seems ridiculous.
Agnes T. Miller.