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Show Friday Morning, April 20, 1951Established April 15, 1871. Issued every morning by The Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Co., Salt Lake City, UtahGeneral MacArthur s Magnificent Half HourGeneral MacArthur s appearance before a joint session of Congress Thursday was one of the most dramatic incidents of American history. The great military hero had his day, and he conducted himself in the best soldiery tradition.Paraphrasing an old army song which says that most old soldiers never die they just fade away General MacArthur closed his dynamic address to Congress, and the American people, with these words Like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away an old soldier who tried to do his duty, as God gave him the light to see that duty. Good by. Judging from comment, the final words of his valedictory may live longer in the consciousness of many people than the earth shaking issues the general so energetically espoused for which he sacrificed his brilliant career.Arguments Clear and ConvincingGeneral MacArthur towered high in the Great Debate, as he did in the military field. His address was free of recrimination and bitterness, and in it he again disclaimed political ambitions. He showed proper deference to the president of the United States and did not question his authority to remove him from his commands. Speaking in carefully chosen, measured words, the general gathered dramatic momentum as he went along, ending on a high emotional note which swayed his hearers in Congress, and over radio and television.The statement was the most lucid convincing one yet presented on behalf of giving equality to Asia in the struggle of the free world against communism. The general s enormous prestige, his fine voice and unquestioned sincerity added great weight to his arguments. As of today, the Asia First faction in the foreign policy debate is ahead. No statement of like clarity and persuasiveness has come from those placing Europe first in our defense program.Emphasized above everything else is the urgent need of a definite working foreign policy. Such a policy must be made by our civilian leaders, with intelligent military advice, and it must be spelled out and sold to the American people.General MacArthur is undoubtedly the top military authority on military affairs in Asia, where he spent a large part of his half century of army service. His recommendations, made clear in previous statements, are Intensification of our economic blockade against China; imposition of a naval blockade against the China coast; removal of restrictions on air reconnaissance of China s coastal areas and of Manchuria; removal of restrictions on forces of the Republic of China on Formosa, with logistical support to contribute to this effective operation.Only inferentially did he call for bombing Chinese bases. Logistical support, of course, means furnishing ships and materials for the Chinese Nationalists.Not Prolonged IndecisionGeneral MacArthur said it was his understanding that the U. S. joint chiefs of staff had, from a military standpoint, shared his views in the past. Last Tuesday, General Bradley, head of the joint chiefs, took issue with General MacArthur s thesis, saying in part Any recommended course of action which would enlarge the present war is contrary to our best interests, and by jeopardizing world peace, ultimately would threaten our security. From General MacArthur s statement, no such declaration had been given him prior to his dismissal.Several Lincolnesque truisms stood out in his address, such as You cannot appease or otherwise surrender to communism in Asia without simultaneously undermining our effort to halt its advance in Europe. No man in his right mind would advocate sending our ground forces into continental China. War s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. History teaches with unmistakable emphasis that appeasement begets new and bloodier war. Subject to further study are the general s convictions that the Nationalist government has reformed and is giving Formosa a just and enlightened administration; the durability of democracy in Japan, and especially, the assumption that the Soviet will not necessarily mesh its action with our moves. If we knew the latter to be true, our course would be simple.The issues are too complex and many for full analysis here. They will be discussed in detail from time to time.Perhaps history only will tell whether General MacArthur is right or wrong in his general thesis that the war in Korea must be enlarged. After hearing him Thursday, we cannot question his motives. |