Evening star., 1953-07-19
There Has Been Enough Talk

The Panmunjom negotiations have now
reached a stage where the American-led United
Nations Command can hardly avoid resorting
to all-out action for military decision If the
Communists do not put definite end to their
off-again-on-again tactics and actually sign
Korean truce-not just talk about one-without
further delay.
To put it mildly, there has been far too
much delay already. BY his systematic hag-
Cling, his impossible demands, his periodic
walkoutS his calls for recesses, and all his
other dilatory tricks, the enemy has succeeded
in deliberately stretching out the armistice
talks for period Of more than two years
Meanwhile, he has kept on building up his
armed power in Korea. Meanwhile, too
although there have been no heavy battles
until recent days, our American and allied
forces-in skirmishing with him along their
defensive front-have suffered, on daily piece
meal basis, casualties probably as great as would
have to be suffered in a major offensive aimed
at winning decisive U. N. victory in lot less
time than has been consumed thus far in
seeking truce through negotiations.
AS a matter Of self-respect and military
and political common sense, the u. N. Command
particularly the United States-cannot
permit the Communists to get away with this
sort Of business much longer. After ALL as
Secretary Dulles has said in his radio-television
appearance with Assistant Secretary Robertson,
I'VE are not suppliants" begging the North
Korean and Chinese Reds for favors We have
offered them terms for an honorable armistice
as first step toward an honorable peace. We
have told them that President Rhee of South
Korea has given explicit assurance that he
will not obstruct in any manner the imple-
mentation" OF such an agreement. Accordingly,
in MIR. Dulles words, If they really want a
settlement, II they are negotiating for one in
good faith-a big "if"-they can have it, but
If they want war, 1--WE must be ready for that,
too"
Mr.. Dulles-presumably for diplomatic
reaSonS-thus has used relatively mild language
to convey the suggestion to the Communists
that they will find the United States not merely
ready for war If they want war, but fully pre-
pared to unleash great offensive operations
against them If they do not soon stop blowing
hot and cold and make up their minds-without
any sudden new change-to sit down, take pen
In hand and sign truce. If this is not our
attitude, then it certainly ought to be. For
there has been talk enough at Panmunjom-
much too much falkland we cannot afford to
let the enemy continue to tie our hands with
it indefinitely He has prof1ted from delay
and from the attrition, in terms Of dead and
wounded. that that delay has inflicted on our
forces in the past two years.
Clearly, although we are not "suppliants,"
we have been acting as If we were for far too
long We have acted in that way-unwittingly
because Of our genuine desire to end the
Korean bloodshed But now time is running
out Now we are at point where the Com
munists must prove their good faith by signing
truce very soon. Short of that, what course
will be left to us but resumption of full-scale
hostilities to win peace through war?