The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1950 KOREA MAY MEAN LONG STRUGGLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23298, 6 July 1950, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1950 KOREA MAY MEAN LONG STRUGGLE

fjyVKX if the Korean struggle can be isolated and prevented from developing into a world conflict, as we all earnestly hope, it still will contain all the elements that could make for an arduous, long drawn-out struggle. The potentialities of Russia and China, on the one side, and the United States and the British Commonwealth, on the other, are tremendous and if the Korean, outcome is to decide who is to lose “face” in Asia the campaign could be interminable. It is necessary to take the question of “face” into all considerations of actions in the Far East. In the past year the forces of communism and the democracies have advanced to a point from which retreat, unless very good reasons satisfying to the Orient are given, would be interpreted by millions of Asiatics as a loss of “face”; that would be disastrous to the cause upon which it fell and withdrawal might well be the next step.

“Face” in the Far East is just as important as world opinion. The bulk of world opinion that is worth while lias now expressed itself in favour of the United Nations’ resolution on Korea, condemning the aggression of the North Koreans. The official Soviet attitude, although reflected in Russian newspaper and radio commentaries in the past week, did not bear a high-level stamp until the publication yesterday of the statement by M. Gromyko, the senior Deputy-Foreign Minister. Again the view was expressed that everybody else was wrong and only Russia was right. U.N. Obstructed By Russia M. Gromyko said: “Had the Security Council valued the cause of peace it should have attempted to reconcile the fighting sides in Korea before adopting its scandalous resolution,” Since September, 1947, the United Nations has been endeavouring to resolve the differences over Korea but has failed because of Soviet obstruction. The General Assembly in November, 1947, resolved that elections should be held in Korea for a National Assembly under the supervision of a temporary commission formed for that purpose by the United Nations, and that the National Assembly when elected should set up a Government for the whole of Korea. Russia refused to allow the commission to visit the Soviet-occupied zone and in consequence it was only able to discharge its functions in that part of Korea lying to the south of the 38th parallel. Last week when the invasion began the Security Council ordered a ceasefire, which was flouted by the North Koreans, and condemned their aggression. Russia’s response was to give additional support, moral support at least, to the North Koreans. The invasion has been skilfully planned and the South Koreans are still falling hack. They do not seem to have the will to fight even though the Koreans generally are a tough people. The tanks and longer range artillery of the North Koreans are a deterrent, hut there would appear to be something more to it than that. In the circumstances there is nothing to suggest the slightest justification for branding the southerners as aggressors as Moscow would have us believe. All the indications are to the contrary. Allied Campaign Difficulties

People Avho have been disappointed that Allied forces have not been able to stem the invasion promptly have not taken into full consideration the difficulties of the campaign. Firstly, the Allied ground and air forces so far committed are not likely to include many seasoned veterans. Battle experience in the air and on the ground, particularly in an unfamiliar country, will have to be learned the hard way. Secondly, until a reliable intelligence network is established there are likely to be many mistakes. Already there have been language difficulties. Thirdly, the hot wet weather of the next two months will be felt acutely, if not already, by new arrivals in the country.

The terrain of Korea, above all, will make large-scale operations difficult. Korea is a peninsula about .150 miles wide by 660 miles long and is part of an archipelago in which navigation by sea is hazardous. The land area is hemmed in on the north by alpine ranges and traversed from north to south by a branch chain which follows in the main the east coast. Precipitous on the east, the chain throws out feelers and slopes towards the broader west side. Taken as a whole the country is mountainous and there are no plains. The rivers are rapid, shallow and crooked. The North Koreans are equipped with Russian armaments and to date they are doing well. At this stage they probably have no need of Chinese or Russian forces which would raise the conflict to the plane of a major, perhaps world, Avar. The great test Avill come Avhen the North Koreans need help. Russia may decide to press the Chinese into the conflict. From Moscoav’s point of A’ieAA r that would be effective in tying up large Allied forces in the Far East Avhile leaving Russia free to take the initiative in Europe or the Middle East. It Avould also render unnecessary the use of the long, vulnerable communications across Siberia, at least in the meantime. Chinese participation Avill depend on China, but pressure from Moscoav may leave Mao Tse-tung Avith no alternative. There is so much inflammable material in the situation that it must continue to be vieAved witli the gravest anxiety. Although a week has passed without, positive action from Russia or China, at this juncture it is impossible to say with even the slightest degree of certainty that the trouble will not spread.