CHINESE INTERVENTION IN KOREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27541, 8 November 1950, Page 7

CHINESE INTERVENTION IN KOREA

Security Council To Discuss New Situation

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 6. There was no indication at Lake Success tonight of what action the United Nations Security Council will take when it meets in special session on Wednesday to consider, at the United States request, Chinese Communist intervention in Korea. An American spokesman gave the impression that the United States did not wish to exaggerate the situation. The hope is growing in United Nations circles that the Communist move does not represent all-out determined intervention in the Korean war.

The United Nations commander in Korea, General Douglas MacArthur, in a special report to the United Nations, said:— “ The United Nations forces m Korea are continuing their drive to the north and their efforts to destroy the further effectiveness of the enemy as a fighting force are proving successful. However, at present in certain areas of Korea, the United Nations forces are meeting a new foe. It is apparent to our • fighting forces, and our intelligence agencies have confirmed that fact, that the United Nations are at present in hostile contact with Chinese Communist military units deployed for action- against the forces of the united command. “ The continued employment of Chinese Communist forces in Korea and the hostile attitude assumed by such forces, either inside or outside Korea, are matters which it is incumbent upon me to bring at once to the attention of the United Nations.” Red Units Identified General MacArthur in his report •aid that on October 16 a regiment of the 124th Division of the Chinese Communist 42nd Army, consisting of approximately 25.000 troops, crossed the Yalu River at Wan Po Jin and proceeded to the area of the Chosen and Fusen dams in North Korea where they came in contact with United Nations forces approximately 40 miles north of Hamhung. The report said that on October 20, a Chinese Communist task force known as the 56th Unit, consisting of approximately 5000 troops, crossed the Yalu River at Antung and deployed to positions in Korea, South of Suiho dam. The report added: “A captured Chinese Communist soldier of this task force states that his group was organised out of the regular Chinese Communist 40th Army stationed at Antung, Manchuria.” The report continued: “Interrogation of 19 Chinese prisoners on October 30 identified tw T o additional regiments of the 124th Division, in the vicinity of Changjin. Interrogation of prisoners on November 2 indicated that the 54th Unit was in Korea, this unit being reported to have the same orfanisation as the 55th and 56th Units, ut to be drawn from the 112th and 113th and 114th Chinese Divisions. Further interrogation of Chinese prisoners on November 3 indicated that the 56th and 119th and 120th Divisions of the Chinese 40th Army were in Korea.” The report said that up to i November 4 a total of 35 Chinese Communist prisoners had been taken in Korea. The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press says that America’s attitude toward the grave new crisis was pictured to-

night as favouring the side-step-ping of an immediate show-down over the intervention of the Chinese Communists. Diplomatic informants said the United States had begun consulting with other Governments on a proposed United Nations resolution to that effect. The informants added that the United States Government favours having the Security Council demand the halt in Chinese aid to the North Koreans, but wants no branding of the Red Peking regime as the aggressor at this uncertain stage. Simultaneously the State Department said there was no change in its attitude of July 1, when Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s offer of 33,000 troops to fight in Korea was rejected on the grounds that they were needed for the defence of Formosa. ' Discussing the Security - Council’s possible action on General MacArthur’s report, the Lake Success correspondent of The Times says until it is clear that the United Nations forces are faced with something more than local intervention, every effort will no doubt be made to avoid placing the Peking Government in an inextricable position. The (British Government has apparently been reluctant to see the matter go to the Security Council at this stage. It is not expected, the correspondent says, that the proposals now under consideration will be .drafted in a condemnatory vein, but that as a first step they will do no more than take note of General MacArthur’s report and reiterate the Council’s previous appeal to all States to desist from aiding the North Koreans. It is also felt in some quarters that the draft should include assurances to the Chinese Communists concerning their power supplies from Korea, and while repeating that United States forces will be withdrawn as soon as possible, should express some recognition of China’s legitimate interest in Korea’s future. The position is seen to be one of great delicacy, and the atmosphere at Lake Success is far more cautious and reserved than on the outbreak of the Korean war. the correspondent adds. In Kansas City today President Truman had a long telephone conference with the Secretary of State, Mr‘Dean Acheson, on the grave situation in Korea. Associates unquotable by name said that President Truman is deeply concerned over the movement .of Chinese Communist troops in Korea from Manchuria. Officially, however, the President maintained silence on this development, as well as on General MacArthur’s communique of yesterday, which denounced it as one of the most offensive acts of lawlessness in history.