Democracies View Korean Conflict As An "American Affair"

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1950, Page 5

Democracies View Korean Conflict As An "American Affair"

LONDON, July 18 (Recd. 12.7 a.m.) —Special talks which Mr. Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia, has had with the British Cabinet and service chiefs seem to have dispelled any likelihood of a special Australian expeditionary force being sent to Korea. Korea is now seen in the democracies' world strategic pattern, developed as a counter to Soviet aggressive moves, as entirely an American affair. In many ways Mr. Trygve Lie’s appeal for more Ua’ted Nations ground forces for Korea is embarrassing the Western Powers, who feel it is idealistic rather than realistic. At most, offers of additional aid may be made by Commonwealth countries to satisfy American public opinion—and they will be politely refused by America. Britain and America are both determined that the Korean affair will

not interrupt, sidetrack or weaken in any way the Western Power’s overall world plans to counter Soviet aggressive moves, wherever they appear. In this determination is included the ever possibility of the Americans losing the Korean bridgehead, and having to mount a major invasion from Japan to roll the North Koreans back to the 38th parallel. Australia’s role in assisting to prevent this last eventuality will possibly be to provide another fighter squadran to join the one already operating from Japan, and maybe more warships . The Commonwealth's main contribution, more probably, will be to push ahead with an already agreed prgramme of developing defence supplies to keep pace with rocket range growth.