Evening star., 1953-06-20
The Political Mill
Rhee Bit Hand That Fed
Him Hopes Of Freedom
II 1t Had Not Been for U. S.,
He Would Have No Republic
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

- INV aNOA OSSu WI W S.1
He Would Have No Republic
By Gould Lincoln
The arbitrary and ill-considered
action of President Rhee when he
ordered the freeing of the North Ko-
rean prisoners, obviously in an effort
to prevent ceaSe-fire in Korea, has
not increased his popularity in this
country. He took this drastic step
without any word to the United Nations
Command, with which he and the South
Korean army have been allied in re-
pelling the Communist invasion of the
Korean Republic. He took it in the
face of promise by President Eisen-
hover that the United States would
arrange defense pact with the Korean
Republic.
A defense pact, a pledge to come to
Korea's aid should it again be attacked
by the CommuniStS-or any one else
is not sufficient for President Rhee. It
is not enough, despite the fact that
action by this country three years ago
was the factor that saved Mr.. Rhee's
own skin. and despite the fact that
had it not been for the United States
primarily and the United Nations later.
Mr.. Rhee would not have any country
today.
Bravery Recognized.
Appreciation of the bravery and the
sacrifices of the people of the Korean
Republic has been widespread in this
country. It is still widespread, and
justly so. Charges by Mr.. Rhee and
his representatives that the Govern
ment Of the United States, headed by
President Eisenhower, is now guilty Of
agreeing to truce that amounts to
another Munich" a diSgraceful ap-
peaSement Of our enemies, have not
shaken that admiration for the cour-
age and patriotism of the South Ko-
reanS. They have, however, reduced
to a low point the regard which Amer
leans have for Mr.. Rhee. There are
Americans who believe that this war
should be continued until the Chinese
Reds have been beaten to their knees
and driven out of any and all parts of
Korea-or who at least put up strong
pleas for President Rhee, but without
saying how far this country should go
in developing an all-out war to achieve
such an end. Most of the latter have
spoken favorably in the past Of truce
in Korea, with the details of peace to
be worked out after the fighting has
ceased. Certainly most of them did not
raise their voices against truce dur
ing the last two years.
President Rhee's order to free the
North Korean prisoners of war is, of
course, not the only order the South
Korean President may give to prevent
cease-fire. He has threatened to
order the South Korean army to 60 on
fighting the Communist forces, even
II the U. NJ, including the United
States, signs truce agreement.
Nothing short of victory by arms,
to unite the whole of Korea under Mr..
Rhees government, he says, will be
satisfactory. And apparently Mr.. Rhee
intends to do everything in his power
to upset the program favored by the
United States Government and the
U. Ma program which promises to
do everything possible to bring about
united Korea through negotiations
and political discussions, after a truce
has been established.
Mission Accomplished.
President Eisenhower, at his most
recent press conference, emphatically
restated the belief of this Government
that the objectives for which the
United States and the U. N. had gone
to war had been achieved. particularly
defeat of the Communist aggression
into South Korea. No declaration by
this country or by the United Nations
that North Korea should be incor-
porated into the Republic OF South
Korea by force of arms was made at
the time the allies moved in to repel
the Communists. A hope had been
expressed that eventually Korea would
become unified nation. Mr.. Rhee,
however is doing his best to force the
United States to continue this war in
Korea, to end only on Mr.. Rhee's terms.
The United Nations, including the
United States, does not intend to allow
the Republic of Korea to be overrun
by the Chinese Reds or any other Reds,
If and when truce is made, and peace
terms are worked out. Mr.. Rhee and
his supporters say that million Chi
nese will at all times be ready to at
tack the Republic of Korea, if the war
Is not continued. 1t is fact, however,
that million Chinese will always be
ready to attack Korea. whether from
beyond the Yalu River or from the
present battle lines.
President EiSenhower's foreign policy.
in the Far East as well as in the West,
is backed in Congress. His requests for
mutual security funds, to build up de-
lenses against the Communists in Eu-
rope and in Asia, are expected to
be granted by that body, with slight
cuts. probably not more than 5000 mil
lion out of total of around IS billion.
There is determination not to let down
the guards, no matter what may happen
in Korea. This should be an encourage
ment to Mr.. Rhee as we'll as a warning
to the Russian and Chinese Commu-
nists. This country is not going to see
Korea gobbled UP by the Communists.
1t is far too close to Japan and the
Philippines, and our defenses in the
Pacific.