AMERICAN WALKS OUT OF UNO COUNCIL MEETING

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1949, Page 5

AMERICAN WALKS OUT OF UNO COUNCIL MEETING

NEW YORK, March 10.

The United States delegate walked out of a meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council today, in protest against criticism by Poland of Lieutenant-General John Hodge, foriper occupation commander in Korea.

The United States delegate (Mr Leroy Stinebower) sat through part of a speech by Mr Julius Katzsuchy (Poland), in which Mr Katzsuchy scathingly referred to South Korea as “a puppet State.” Mr Stinebower took particular exception to a reference to General Hodge as “a gauleiter.” He rose and said he would not remain any longer to hear that kind of speech, and left the room. He and his advisers remained outside the council room until Mr Katzsuchy had finished his speech. The incident occurred during the discussion of a proposal to include Korea in the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East. Mr James Thorn (New Zealand) was the president at the time. Mr Stinebower told reporters that Mr Thorn would not stop the insults against General Hodge, “so we just walked out?”

When the United States delegation returned after Mr Katzsuchy had finished his Thorn told the meeting that, he hoped this kind of talk would not be repeated in future. Mr Katzsuchy replied that the language was the kind usually used. He was surprised at the show of feeling by the United States delegate, who had used such terms as “satellite” in referring to minority delegates. The council then resumed its debate.