Upon the basic American principle
that every man has a concern in all public matters and
that he has a right to farm
and deliver an opinion on them then smoke coordinator effect problem present for
your consideration one of the vital issues confronting our republic today.
I have been reading some fascinating documents on the Korean War.
And they bring a question to my mind is it wise for us to engage in truce
negotiations with the Chinese Communists back from holes
that no such questions as that can be intelligently answered.
Unless both sides of family review. So let's review both sides of this question.
First the affirmative.
If we reject any opportunity to negotiate an honorable settlement in Korea we
commit ourselves to a program of water.
And we strengthen the Soviet propaganda theme that they are a peace loving people.
While we are imperialist iq warmongers.
The hope of all just man is a lasting peace
and we must demonstrate to the world by act in deed that we welcome.
Every honest act of peace.
The world must know
that America stands ready to work with renewed resolve to redeem the near last day.
The first step is an honorable armistice in Korea.
The experiences of two world wars have taught us
that the doctrine of unconditional surrender makes wars infinitely destructive and.
Peace virtually impossible.
Yet unconditional surrender is the aim of those reckless few who would have us
throw caution to the wind. Reject all suggestions of arbitration.
And go it alone in an all out war in Asia but in sober reality.
What would be the result of an all out war in Asia
and offensive on the Chinese mainland or even in Korea.
A frontal assault along the present battle line would be deadly.
The Communists are firmly entrenched in deep fortifications all along the narrow
waist of Korea to throw American troops against those defenses would commit them to
a wholesale slaughter. We might indeed destroy a great many Chinese.
But with seventy five percent of their forces held in reserve.
That would be no great loss to them and no real victory for us
and encircling move by sea might cut off great numbers of Communist troops.
But
that would expose us to attack from Manchuria then there is the absurd idea of a naval
blockade of the China coast.
This reckless action could easily involve us in a series of dangerous incidents
with Russian veterans. But even if we avoided such tension with Russia.
What about our friends who carry on legitimate trade with the Chinese Communists
and whose economies depend on
that trade Britain Salen Pakistan India
and how much real advantage would have blockaded the China coast gain us most of
the weapons China is receiving come in by rail from Russia.
To blockade her Coast to deprive her of harmless trade with the West
and the rest of Asia. Would be to push her even more rapidly and finally.
Into complete dependence upon the Soviets further such a blockade would so scatter
our naval power as to render us helpless.
In the event of an all out Soviet attack on us.
It's obvious then that they only chance for a complete
and total military victory in Korea would be the use of atomic weapons a barbaric
action which brings harm to the hearts of all civilized man
and violates all concepts of humanity.
We would wreck thousands of villages and cities
and murder millions of innocent Chinese who desire for peace is no less than now.
Our only hope of avoiding this catastrophe is to follow the courageous
and sound policy which has already dealt this off yet block the only blow really
suffered since the end of World War two
and has done it at a minimum cost to ourselves.
In terms of high strategy the reds it lost the war in Korea and they know it.
We went into career to stop communist aggression and we have succeeded.
The communist went into Korea to conquer it with the purpose of using it as a
buffer or a springboard in case of a general war
but among the nations of the free world.
The last the principle of collective security was put to the acid test
and it worked.
The United Nations without setting off a third world war has held Sayed imperialism
in check on the Korean Peninsula giving the communist proof
that aggression is no longer profitable.
We have prevented the communist from governing of all of Asia
and have given the free world time an opportunity to build up its own defenses.
We stand now on the threshold of a just
and lasting peace for all men are we to disregard this chance to prove once
and for all to friend and foe alike that we are to morrow a humane people
or will we abandon the opportunity for the ghastly consequences of all out war.
Such work. It would bring upon us the harsh judgment of all people.
Now and throughout the course of future history.
Whenever and wherever the enemy shows are disposed him to talk peace
and displays a sincerity a peaceful purpose. We must meet him on those terms.
If he's bluffing. We call his bluff for the work.
That is one side of the question.
But here's the other the negative view of those who think it is unwise for us to
engage in truth negotiations with the Chinese communists in April nineteenth fifty
three. We agreed with the communist to exchange all sick or wounded prisoners.
We handed over six thousand of theirs they returned a hundred and twenty American.
The communist had simply used the hoax of prisoner exchange as a cover to bring up
ammunition and supplies to their front line troops. What did we do about it.
The United Nations passed a resolution expressing hope
that all would go well a little handful of exchanged American prisoners toast
or ease of brutality starvation
and torture of American shot in the back of their head
or kicked off a road to die because they were too weak to take forced marches
and what did we do about that the United Nations of course did nothing.
A British Labor peer made international headlines by vilifying the United States
saying
that all of this talk about Communist atrocities were just American war propaganda.
President Eisenhower confessed a heavy heart about it
and various public commentators registered great shock shock about what is it
possible that no one remembers the news broken to us in November.
Nineteen fifty one.
When General Ridgway had made
that over eight thousand United States prisoners of war had already been
slaughtered by the Chinese communists in an orgy of killing and barbarism.
How can anyone willing to. Look at the facts.
I think
that any good can come out of negotiations with the communist look at some of the
facts in mid one nine hundred fifty one the magnificent United States Army had
completely routed the enemy in Korea and was on the point of annihilating.
But we held our soldiers back
and eagerly accepted Russia's proposal for truce talks.
We suggested
that the talks be held on a Danish hospital ship the Reds wanted to hold them in
case arms and we gave in. Although holding the talks of play song.
Meant
that a large area right in the path of our rapidly advancing forces was immune from
attack. Moreover case on was in communist territory which meant
that our men had to go to them carrying white flags looking to all the world as if
we were coming hat in hand to beg for terms.
When it was the red who were broken and on the run.
The communist kept us talking a case I'm going to lay had repaired their military
position. They broke off the talks with the trumped up charges
that we had bombed the neutralized.
While we were busy investigating their outrageous charges they struck again.
There followed sixty nine days of savage fighting.
The bloody period of Heartbreak Ridge
and the loss of thousands of America's finest So the communist However once again
beaten and needing time to build up strength came back for more top.
This time at Panmunjom another place which they had selected.
We entered this second round of talks agreeing to a thirty day cease fire which
gave the Reds ample time to repair airfields build their defenses in depth.
And bore into the granite hills thirty feet deep.
We finally broke off the talks in October nineteenth fifty two.
But in April nineteenth fifty three. We leaped with a. And seemly haste as before.
When the read suggested prisoner exchange
and more talk to the communist negotiation is a military
and political tactic not an attempt to reach a common ground of understanding.
So the Soviets decide to end the Korean War now largely on their terms.
When will they started again ten days ten months ten years from now.
Whenever it serves their purpose. Meanwhile.
Having negotiated a wedge between us
and whatever friends we may have left in the Far East.
They can use their Chinese puppets.
To conquer the remainder of the beginning and Malaya and Indochina.
Generals MacArthur and eventually say that our armies have several times.
Then on the point of destroying the enemy in Korea.
But each time I have been deliberately held back by our policy makers in Washington
and in the United Nations.
They also say
that there can be no peace in Asia until the communist military power is broken in
Korea. We have everything it takes to do it to get our men home and keep them home.
Everything
that is except the statesmanship to make the decision whether we should have got
into the Korean mess in the first place.
After our apostles of some of the other peace meant
that help the communist conquer all of China is not pertinent to this particular
discussion. The fact is that we committed Imm to a war in Korea.
And in war there is no substitute for victory.
There then are the two sides briefly but this immensely important question.
Should we engage in truce negotiations with the Chinese communists.
It is not the purpose of facts for them to provide an answer for such questions as
that. But rather to focus public attend.
And I'm in the belief
that the best way to solve our problems is to create public interest in shark
attacks fought on this a campaign against public indifference.
We believe that people will find the facts they will find
and.
Then move coordinator of back to Parliament has brought to your attention.
Another decision that must be made by you
and your fellow Americans to express your view
and to receive reprinted copies of Mr smart remarks right back to Forum encounter
of this station.