Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-24
Tougher Stand Seen
By Allies Toward
els in Red Camp

PANMUNJOM Sunday. Jan.
24.-All signs pointed today to q
toughening attitude by the allied
side toward 81 Americans. q
Briton and 325 South Koreans
who are sticking it out in pro-
Red camp although it now Is
unlocked and virtually un-
guarded.
Gen. John E. Hull. o. N. Far
East commander. was known to
feel the men-prisoners whom
the Reds refuse to take back
are no longer any concern Of
his command with the passing
yesterday of the armistice dead
line for processing balky re-
patriates.
Sources close to Gen. Hull
said he believes the Commu-
nists eventually will claim them,
after using their present status
for propaganda purposes.
Yesterday Maj. Gen. J. K.
Lacey. senior allied members Of
the Military Armistice Commits
sion. told the Reds the allied
side would welcome any Com
munist statement on "your plans
for removing them as rapidly as
possible" back to the Red side.
Yank POWs to Lose Pay.
In Washington, Defense Secre-
tary Wilson said the 81 Ameri-
cans must make up their minds
soon if they want to return to
the allied side. He said their
pay is going to be cut OF
shortly"
Peiping Radio today pictured
the BAT prisoners as playing Soc
Ger and basketball and leading
their usual normal camp life"
The Indian command, which
marked the deadline yesterday
by opening the gates and with
drawing 200 custodian troops,
said the prisoners have a weeks
supply of Red-transported food.
The Reds will be allowed to bring
in more if they choose.
The Indians also planned for
Humanitarian purposes" to send
Indian Red Cross representatives
into the camp.
Virtual Orphans Of War.
For the time being the prison.
ers were virtual orphans of war.
The Reds refused to take them
back by way of emphasizing
their charges that the allies
acted illegally in setting free
nearly $4,000 Chinese and North
Koreans from an anti-Red camp.
Yesterday the Reds. after an
hour and half meeting. fatty
rejected Indian 1t. Gen. K. S.
Thimayya'S suggestion that they
take back the prisoners under
protest" This would have per-
mitted the Reds to maintain
their position that India had no
right to give up custody.
He said the freed men stand
as living symbols. providing hope
of freedom to the millions who
still suffer under Communist OPP
preston"
The first of more than $4,000
freed Chinese arrived in Formosa
yesterday amidst popping fire.
crackers, blaring bands and
cheering people. Five Air Force
transport planes few in Ill
ailing and Stretcher cases to the
Nationalist stronghold Of Chang
Kai-shek. bitter foe Of the
Chinese Reds. A sixth transport
with 81 more was due today
after stopping last night in
Okinawa.
1000 Join South Korean Army.
The former Red soldiers who
renowned communism were
greeted by Chiang's daughter
in-law and the governor Of
Formosa. The bulk of the freed
Chinese are on their way by
sea.
In South Korea, the first group
of the more than 1000 North
Koreans who renounced COM
munism. were to take the oath
of allegiance today as members
of the South Korean army.
OfficIals would not give the size
of the group except to say it
was small.
In Tokyo, high military
sources disclosed that U. N.
ground, sea and air forces were
placed on battle alert last week
during turnback by the Indian
command of the anti-Red prison.
ers to the allies. Sources said
this was done to forestall any
Red military move to seize the
prisoners, but none developed.
In fact, the operation went of
so smoothly that South Korea'S
President Syngman Rhee spoke
his first public words of other
than cenSure for the Indians.
I'VE want to forget UNI
pleasant things about the Indian
guards who have done so much
under difficult circumstances and
want to say goodbye to them
with thanks" he said.
Cononanenfinn Rannfife