The Rotary Balita no. 673 (June 14, 1951)

Former U. S. President Hoover (speaking on American Foreign Policy): "The fourth focal point of our thinking must be the United Nations. Our stark reality here is the lack of cohesion and unity in the free nations. Even some of our European allies are anxious to appease the Chinese branch of the Kremlin on policies of the United Nations. Despite this, we must not forget that the aspiration of mankind for over a century has been to find peace by collective action against aggressors. The United Nations was built on this same idea. Halting and faulty as it may be, we cannot abandon this idea and this hope." Secretary of State Acheson (asked about a possible attack on Yugoslavia, quoted U.S. President Truman): "The free world has made it clear through the 'United Nations that lawless aggression will be met with force. This is the significance of Korea. I shall not attempt to predict the course of events. But I am sure that those who have it in their power to unleash aggression must realize that new recourse to aggression in the world today might well strain to the breaking point the fabric of world peace." How Can We Help the Victims in Korea? Members of U.N. were challenged by a resolution of the Security Council to relieve distress caused by the war. Immediate aid was organized for 1,500,000 refugees in the area controlled by U.N. forces. The Children's Fund, the World Health Organization and the International Refugee Organization are furnishing supplies and services. The Economic and Social Council decided to re- main in a continuous session to mobilize world action in this and other possible emergencies. Unimpeded by political wrangling, this phase of U.N. functioned as promptly and decisively as the Security Council had done before Russia came back. But what of the future - what of the whole of Korea, the bombed factories, the bridges blasted, the railroads destroyed? A tremendous job of rebuilding will be needed when the fighting ends and a starving population looks to the world for re- habilitation. Since the world war, the U.S.A. has pro- vided $450,000,000 to Korea in economic aid. How much more will be needed to put right the damage now being caused? What are U.N. Purposes in Korea? Reflecting the widely felt impatience with the impasse in the Security Council and concern with the future, India's Sir Benegal Rau made a suggestion. He thought further discussion might be transferred to a committee composed of the non-permanent members of the Council. He delayed making a formal resolution until assured of sufficient support. Commenting on Sir Benegal's suggestion, U.S. Delegate Austin stressed the importance of defining peace aims "even while the cannons roar." Among ideas he "turned over" for consideration were: ending the possibility of future invasions of Korea and aggression anywhere; free elections throughout all Korea; admission of a united Korea to membership in U.N. Korea cannot live, he declared, "half slave and half free or even one-third slave and two-thirds free. Does the Soviet Government," he asked, "feel the need of some assurance that a free and independent Korea will not in any way threaten the security of the Soviet Union? I have no doubt it can obtain that assurance." What About Formosa? The United Nations was also asked to define the future status of another disputed area. A cable to Secretary-General Lie from Communist China, announced its determination to "liberate from the tentacles of the United States aggressors" the island of Formosa. The action of the U.S.A. in neutralizing Formosa by a naval patrol had been taken without U.N. sanction. In a letter to Mr. Lie, U.S. Delegate Austin urged U.N. to make a full investigation of the ex- plosive Formosa problem. He maintained that Formosa's legal status cannot be fixed until there. is international action since it is territory taken from Japan. The Chinese government was asked by the Allies to accept the surrender of Japanese forces on the island. That is the reason the Chinese are there now."