MR TRUMAN’S OPPONENTS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26204, 30 August 1950, Page 7

MR TRUMAN’S OPPONENTS

Far East Becomes Election Issue (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 28. The Republican Party to-day J’ave notice that i/t would use what t calls “Truman’s Far East policy blunder” as a major weapon against the Democrats in the November Congressional elections. The Republican campaign line is laid down in a memorandum entitled “Background to Korea.” This memorandum puts the blame on the Democratic Administration for the events leading to the Korean war. It consists largely of quotations from statements by congressmen and Government leaders on policies affecting China, Formosa, and Korea.

“The Democrats’ Far Eastern policy has consistently temporised with and capitulated to the ruthless demands of the Communists dominated by Moscow,” says the memorandum.

The Republicans to-day sharply criticised Mr Truman for directing General MacArthur to withdraw his statement on Formosa.

The Republican leader, Mr Joseph Martin, told the House of Representatives that Mr Truman’s action was “another exhibition of the bankrupt leadership and incredible bungling which delivered Manchuria and most of China to the Communists and which culminated in the Korean conflict.”

Senator William Knowland, a leading Republican critic of Mr Trurfian’s Far East policy, said in a Dress statement that the Administration was gagging General MacArthur. “This gagging is another in .a long series of efforts to keep the truth from the American people,’ said Senator Knowland.

“The action by the Administration in directing General MacArthur to withdraw his message strongly indicates that Mr Acheson and Mr Trygve Lie are now preparing for another Munich with the Republic of China and Formosa as the pawns.

“It now appears that the only way in \vhich the truth will be known is for the American people to elect a Congress that will make some real investigations without fedr or favour and will be prepared to recommend impeachment proceedings where the facts justify.”