LOST CAUSE IN KOREA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 6, 18 October 1950, Page 5

LOST CAUSE IN KOREA

REPORTED SOVIET ATTITUDE CHINA WILL NOT INTERVENE iN.Z.P.A.—Copyright! (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) . LONDON, Oct. 17“It is now evident that the Kremlin has washed its hands of the North Korean cause,” says he “Evening News” diplomatic correspondent. “China is believed to have decided not to intervene in the Korean war. New directives have been sent to the North Koreans from Moscow and Peiping, advising them to retire into Manchuria rather than set up guerilla units after the United Nations victory. “Peiping, in spite of pressure by Moscow, now seems to have given up the idea of any concrete military intervention.

“The combination of military victory with the progressive political and economic policy of the United Nations has undoubtedly widened the rift between Moscow and Peiping.” Reports from Seoul say that all roads led to Pyongyang to-day for the American and South Korean troops racing in along four lightly-defended routes to the Communist capital. The South Koreans, just over 30 air miles from the embattled city, had patrols in sight of Julli by midnight, according to front-line reports.' These southerners were moving far and fast, with only light arms and meeting no hindrance after sweeping aside earlier light Communist resistance.

Fight for Capital Expected

Second in the race for the richest prize of the North Korean war was the American Ist Cavalry Division, With the British Commonwealth Brigade in the rear. The Ist Cavalry captured Sohung after a 14-mile leap from Namchonjom, where they broke the strong Northern defences. The leading Americans are reported about 40 miles from the capital on the Sariwon road. Fairly strong Communist forces are believed to be holding hill positions beyond’ Sariwon.

With the United Nations forces squeezing nearer hour by hour, Air Force pilots reported that the Communists were preparing, a v last-ditch fight for their capital.

The commander of the United States 7th Fleet,, Vice-Admiral Arthur Strubble, said to-day that minesweepers on the north-east coast of Korea were carrying out a difficult and dangerous task in clearing out an extensive minefield.

North Korea complained to the United Nations Security Council today that the United States forces were using Japanese troops in Korea. ' A cablegram from the North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs said there was proof that a considerable number of Japanese took part in the fighting round Seoul, in “flagrant violation of the international agreements on Japan's post-war status and of the United Nations Charter.”

An American spokesman at Lake Success said the charge was fantastic. It could be dismissed as the propaganda of a beaten, desperate group.