Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-23
II els Who Stayed
With Reds Now Find
Both Sides Hostile
~ the Asseeiossd prsss

Twenty-one Americans and 326
other pro-Red prisoners in Ko-
rea's neutral zone were caught
today between q new Communist
refusal to accept them and q
tougher allied attitude.
Two Communist generals re-
jected for the second time an
Indian proposal that the Reds
accept under protest" the 81
Americans, ] Briton and 325
South Koreans who renounced
their homelands for communism.
Indian guards abandoned the
captiveS last midnight after the
Reds wouldn't take them.
The United Nations command
virtually told the Communist
command to take them back.
1--WE welcome any statement
that you will make as to your
plans for removing them as rap
idly as possible from their pres
ent camp to any area north
Of the present demilitarized
zone," Maj. Gen. j. K. Lacey
told the Reds at a session of
the Military Armistice Commits
sion.
Allies Growing Impatient.
Growing allied impatience
with the pro-Reds was reflected
also in Washington. Defense
Secretary Wilson said the 81
Americans must make up their
minds quickly" If they want to
come home.
Corpl. Edward s. Dickinson,
23-year-old Crackers Neck eva. J
soldier who originally stayed
with the Reds but later changed
his mind, was arrested and ac-
cused Of intercourse with the
enemy"
Indian 1t. Gen. X. s. Thu
maya conferred at Red head
quarters today with Communist
Gems. Lee Sang Cho and Ping
Kuo Yu. on his suggestion that
the Reds accept custody Of the
S47 POWs under protest.
"The situation remains the
same" he reported. Nothing
short Of continued custody by
the Indian command would sat-
isfy them :. they made it quite
strong"
He said. however, the Red
generals proposed sending Com
munist Red Cross personnel into
the camp to care for the men.
which he agreed to provided it
Is IN accord with the armistice.
Gen. Thimayya said no further
meetings were scheduled with
the Reds.
Indians Leave Token Guard.
Although Gen. Thimayya said
he no longer has control over
the BAT pro-Red soldiers, he dis
closed that a token guard of 20
Indians was left behind to "en-
sure law and order"
Any movement of men or We
hicleS from the allied side to the
neutral zone would be stopped,
Gen. Thirnayya said, and move
ments from the Communist side
would be checked for their le-
gality. The Indians have asked
the Reds to supply the camp.
The Reds refusal to take back
the prisoners is based on the
Red stand that the Indians
should have kept them until
their fate was decided by q
Korean peace conference.
The U. N. command held that
all prisoners had to be freed as
civilians last midnight.
It liberated more than $4,000
anti-Red Chinese and more than
1000 North Koreans returned to
1t by the Indians. The Chinese
were en- route to FormoSa and
the Koreans were deep in South
Korea.
Hull Halls Release.
In Tokyo, Gen. John E. Hull,
U. N. Far East commander.
hailed the release as "a beacon
to guide others now suffering
under Communist tyranny to
the sanctuary Of freedom and
human dignity"
Nationalist Chinese and South
Korean generals met today at
United States 9th Army head
quarters near Seoul to accept
the freed soldiers at q ceremony
attended by Army Secretary
Robert Stevens.
Chinese Nationalist on For
mosa, meanwhile, celebrated
liberty day" and prepared a
gala welcome for the $4,000 anti
Red soldiers due tomorrow
aboard Is United States tank
landing ships.