The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 8

MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 26, 1950. SECTION 1 THE COURIER. JOURNAL, LOUISVILLE, KY, Truman, Aides South Koreans Lack An Air Force, A mmunitinn Korean Invasion Catches Congress by Surprise Washington, June 25 (AP) The sudden invasion of South Korea by the Communist-dominated North apparently caught the best-informed members of Congress completely by surprise, but some immediately insisted that the United States stand by Korea. There were suggestions for Foreign Relations Committee said -V XV" IU Pit? i ment to which is attached an extra infantry battalion. The Army also has three battalions of North Korean deserters who have been retrained and have been doing good work.

There are six artillery battalions, equipped with Most of these troops are Within easy striking distance of the 38th Parallel and reserves are not far behind. American advisers working with South Korean troops at the battalion level have supervised their retraining and report that their target practice is approaching American standards. Roberts asserted that 95 per cent of all the officers in the South Korean Army are men approved by the rr up Army Termed Good Fighters By BURTON CRANE Special to The New York Time and The Courier-Jouroal Tokyo, June 25. Virtually without an air force and with scant supplies of ammunition, the South Korean Army stands with its back to the wall before capital, Seou It is an American-trained army of 95.000, described by Brig. Gen.

William L. Roberts, until recently commander of the American military advisory groups, as the best fighting force on the Asiatic Continent. The South Korean Army also without tanks. Terrain L'nsuited for Tanks The North Koreans boast of tanks and an Air Force of 106 planes, including 70 Russian-made Yaks and 25 Stormoviks. Roberts said recently that the lack of tanks was of slight disadvantage because the Korean terrain is unsuited for them.

He counted heavily upon his antitank brigade and hinted that roads and bridges already had been mined thoroughly so that armor would not be able to ap- proach within a dangerous dis tance of the capital. Roberts admitted some nervousness, however, over the lack of air cover for the South Korean Army, asserting that proper use of the North Korean planes could pin down the anti-Communists in the daylight hours and make their position exceedingly difficult. The Korean hills have few trees. Contains Eight Divisions The South Korean Army contains eight divisions of three regiments each, plus a cavalry regi- on Hand Americans. In addition to the Army the South Koreans have about 10,000 police, organized in 22 battalions of almost 500 men each.

American advisers in Seoul said they had learned that every North Korean" fighter pilot is accompanied by a Russian sitting behind. Roberts was inclined to discount the North Korean superiority in numbers, asserting that many skirmishes of the past two years had demonstrated that one South Korean regiment easily is a match for one North Korean brigade. A full-scale attack, he said, is just what is needed to complete the training of the South Korean Armv. Copvriiht, driven off. The second one claimed North Korean troops' drove the South Koreans back more than six miles into South Korean territory.

The first communique said the invasion from South Korea began at dawn all along the 33th Parallel which dives Korea. Adds to Accusations The Communist Peiping radio broadcast a charge yesterday by a North Korean spokesman that South Korean President Syngman Rhee had suppressed all news about Northern proposals to unify the country- The spokesman also accused the Southern Government of failing to submit the proposals to the South Korean Assembly. The spokesman, Kang Riang Suk, is general secretary of the North Korean Presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly. Russian Version of Korea: North Repels South Attack the United States has "moral responsibility for the infant Korean Republic" and "can't let the Koreans down." Smith said two steps are urgent: supplying South Korea with arms and ammunition needed for defense, and insisting that the United Nations take action. Senator Russell member of both the Armed Services "and Foreign Relations Committees, called the situation "grave and serious," and declared: "I belive we have a responsibility to assist South Korea." Hunt Seeks Military Views Russell said it is too early to tell with certainty whether this is an all-out 'attempt by Russia to eliminate democracy in Asia.

But it appears to be more than a mere border incident, he added. Senator Hunt Wyo() called for a meeting as quickly as possible by the Armed Services Committee, of which he is a member, to get the full picture from military chiefs. "The question we have to decide is whether to have a showdown now or later," Hunt said. Korea's proximity to Japan "piaces a grave importance on the situation," Hunt said. People's Freedom at Stake Senator Knowland United Nations pressure and ac tion on arms.

Republicans at the Capitol were quick to declare the Communist action resulted from the U. S. policies they have criticized for months. Followed Cautious Peace Hopes It was evident that neither the Armed Services Committee nor the Foreign Relations Committee in the Senate, the two Congressional groups in the best position to know of a threat, had any inkling the invasion was imminent. The attack came on the heels of comments from highly placed Congress members and other officials expressing cautious optimism on the prospects for peace, at least for the moment.

Chairman Connally Tex.) of the Foreign Relations Committee was one of the most cautious in commenting today on the Korean situation. "It has been referred to the United Nations, hasn't it?" he responded to an inquiry about his views. "Well, we'll just have to wait a while and see what they do." Wherry Raps Administration Senator Wherry the G.O.P. floor leader, was the most outspoken of the Republican critics. "You couldn't expect anything else with the China policy we've got of waiting till the dust settles," Wherry said.

"This is further proof that Sec- retary of State Acheson, instead of sitting on the fence, should take the lead against any recognition of Red China and say flatly that this Administration will refuse recognition. The whole thing is a result of our China policy. Smith Wants Arms Sent "The Administration should stand up and do something and then we'll stop these Commies." Senator Smith N. of the Associated Press Wfrepholo FIGHTING MAN This South Korean infantryman with full pack rests near a defense position on the 38th Parallel early this month. South Korean soldiers like this one are resisting the invasion by forces of Red North Korea.

Seoul Says Reds Halted 20 Miles From Capital Budget-Priced BLUE RIBBON From Overseas Dispatches. Tass reported in Moscow yesterday that South Korean troops made an unexpected attack on the Korean Peoples Democratic Republic (North Korea) early yes terday, but were driven back by North Korean police and armed forces. The source of the Soviet news agency's report was two communiques issued at Pyongyang by the North Korean Interior Ministry. The Tass1 account was the first news here of developments in Korea. It is at complete variance with all other reports which say North Korea invaded South Korea.

Peiping Makes Charge The communiques said the South Koreans advanced about half a mile to a mile into North Korean territory before being 20 Lbs. ONLY 8c all your laundry to CAPITAL. and spare you drudgery. And Everything All Is A COMPLETE Laundry Service the invasion was Russian-instigated and supported. Sihn Sung Mo, acting Premier and Defense Minister, said he had information that.

10 of 20 captured Northern tanks had crews half of which were Russian. There was the possibility of confused identities, however. He said a Southern Coast Guard vessel shelled and sank a Russian ship off the east coast and another Russian ship was driven north. General Choi said the Communists made five amphibious landings on the east coast yesterday. A Southern spokesman said earlier the east-coast front now was secure.

This capital of the U. S. -sponsored' South Korean Republic spent a sleepless night. All night long convoys roared through the city with troops and ammunition. Surprise Thrust Made In North Early this morning three planes buzzed the city and caused a scare.

Morale soared when it was learned the planes were Southerners returning from the front. Overnight the Southerners suc 'Temporary' Korean Line Became Definite Border By The Associated Pre The 38th Parallel cuts Korea in half at its 215-mile-wide waist. This imaginary line of the geographers was agreed upon before the end of World War II as the dividing mark for the incoming American and- Russian occupation forces. in Fluff Dry Flatwork Finished ceeded in massing troops- along an Armed Services committee- man, said there "could never be a clearer case of an overt act of aggression." He said it presents "a major test of the effectiveness of the United Calling for immediate U. N.

action, Knowland said that if the Security Council becomes a "mere debating society" or lets itself be snarled up by a Russian veto "the people of Korea may lose their freedom while people talk." House Republican leader Martin of Massachusetts confined himself to the remark that "this is a situation that gives the United Nations a real opportunity to show leadership for peace." 29, 1949. By that time the Southern Republic had been launched with the aid of a $125,000,000 American aid program. A 500-man military advisory team remained to train the Southern Army, which recently reached around 100,000 in strength. The Northerners reportedly have, around 200,000 trained troops and guerrilla fighters, half of them tough Korean veterans of the Chinese civil war in Manchuria. Floods Strike VipffiniT tl 17 Drowned Continued from First Page southeast of West' Union, was under water except on the hillsides, after a 5-inch rain.

"In the town's lowest sections," he added, "the water appeared to almost to the second floors." Near Weston, the sudden high waters ruptured a gasoline tank. The gasoline ignited as it spread out over the muddy waters of the West Fork River, and a barn burned down. The rushing water soon dispersed the gasoline, however. About 1,000 were made homeless in West Union. The community was without safe water, gas, or electricity.

Bread was flown in from Elkins, and a milk plant at Clarksburg sent tanks of pure water. The homeless were cared for in the West Union School building. Study Strong U.S.Follow-Up Continued from First Page tiers of Hungary and Romania, assuming that the Soviet's present objective was to test the reactions of Yugoslavia and the Western European nution. Other War's Start Parallel But the move in Korea has made them think Moscow determined, to make a -simultaneous test of U. S.

reaction toward aggression in Asia and Europe in an effort to discover where that reaction would be the softer. Observers reported no evidence, however, of Communist plans to take military action on any broad international scale, and officials were most careful not to discuss the Korean outbreak as the beginning of World War III. There appeared to be a wide disposition to follow Truman's plea, as he boarded his plane in Kansas City, not to regard the situation as too alarming. However, is could not be overlooked completely that World War II generally is thought to have started, not with the actual declarations, but with early incidents that did not seem earth-shaking at the time. Some historians say the Japanese went to war with the invasion of Manchuria in the early 1930's, and that Hitler headed for war when he marched into the Rhineland, at least six years before the great powers were provoked into a war to stop his aggressions.

Whether Japan and Hitlerite Germany could have been stopped short of war by a firmer opposition in the early tests of strength is a matter of historical dispute. $10,000,000 Already Approved However, there appears to be a general disposition here to regard the present Korean situation, alarming or not, as an occasion for firmness. The consensus of official thinking appears to be that the United States is in a healthy position to treat the situation firmly. Under the present foreign military-aid program. Congress has authorized $10,000,000 worth of arms for Korea.

While this aid only recently has started to flow, it can be moved in large amounts quickly from our stores in occupied Japan. Presumably, if it develops that the South Korean Republic is in serious trouble, Congress quickly would raise the Gets Economic AioV Too Some quarters held that the Communists were staging their attack at this time because they had learned shipments of American arms -were on the way, and decided they would have an easier time gaining control of South Korea, long an objective, now than later. South Korea is getting, in addition to military aid, a total of $60,000,000 in economic aid this that the outbreak was an integral part of the Soviet-Western power conflict that so far has kept a Cold War status. The outcome, it was felt, would have repercussions far beyond Korea. A victory for the Communist invaders would make the Communist chiefs in Russia and China bolder in their efforts to take over all of Southeast Asia.

It would, first of all, encourage an attack of Formosa, the last ter ritory remaining to the Chinese i Nationalist Government. Would Bolster Foes of Reds On the other hand, success in South Korea efforts to defend it- self, not only would frustrate the Communist invasion out sirengm- i en non-Communist spirit and resistance in Asia, Turkey, Iran, and Yugoslavia. The conference with Truman tonight took. place at Blair House with a dozen top advisers present. Acheson and Defense Secretary Louis Johnson headed the group.

included Francis Matthews, secretary of the Navy; Frank Pace, secretary of the Army; Thomas K. Finletter, secretary of the Air Force; General Omar N. Bradley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; General J. Lawton Collins, Army chief of staff; General Hoyt Van-denberg. Air Force chief of staff; Admiral Forrest Sherman, chief of naval operations; Philip C.

Jessup, ambassador-at-large James E. Webb, undersecretary of state, and John D. Hickerson, assistant secretary of state for United Nations affairs. Copyright. 1958 the United States accepted the amendments.

In addition to the immediate-future demands for cessation and withdrawal, the resolution called on all U. N. members to avoid i giving assistance to North Korea. As for tne u. in.

commission in Korea, the resolution directed it to observe withdrawal of the North Korean forces "if it can," was the mental reservation of most people here and to keep the Council informed. Copyright, 1950 Bolivia Asks Americas To Meet on Red Threat La Paz, June 25 (JP) The conservative newspaper El Diario said today Bolivia is calling a meeting of Western Hemisphere Foreign Ministers to study a joint plan against Communist activities in the Americas. Bolivia's Foreign Minister said the conference migm be held in La Paz next month its is 7 for $2.49 and EACH LB. OVER 20 Bigger bundles are cheaper. I CAPITAL guarantees colors Continued from First Page evacuees to two ships anchored in deep water.

The ships will carry them to Fukuoka, Japan. One was expected to be loaded by noon, the other early this afternoon. American planes from Japan will escort the ships until they reach the convoy of U.S. destroyers at sea. Maj.

J. E. Bartlett and Capt. J. H.

Foerch, won praise for calming some excited women who had spent the early morning hours packing their quotas of 65 pounds of baggage. Evacuation arrangements were complete down to such details as supplies of milk for infants. An ambulance carried one ex- pectant mother to shipside. Chinese Reds Reported Moving General Choi said 40,000 North Korean ground troops, plus 90 tanks, were engaged. Irregulars and other operations were believed to have swelled the total to 50,000.

(There were unconfirmed reports that the Chinese Communists have moved two divisions into North Korea to replace troops which crossed the 38th Parallel. If true, this would support the idea that what is now being put into operation is a long-standing plan involving more than one Communist nation.) Col. W. H. S.

Wright, chief of the U. military advisory group in in important strategy conferences. It was understood he was discussing counter-measures on the Uijongbu front. South Korean officials charged 2 U. S.

Planes Are Reported In Air Duels Continued from First Page Air Force P-61 Black Widow fighter engaged in a dog fight. The two planes disappeared behind clouds, Muccio added. The embarkation of the women and children, Muccio declared, was taking place under "very heavy air cover." The U. S. fighter planes, he added, converged on Korea from bases in Japan.

The Russian-type planes conceivably could have been manned by Soviet pilots, but it is more likely they were piloted by North Koreans. An Air Force spokesman in Washington said that the Air Force has some F-51 Mustangs knowledge of the reported inci dent with the Yak fighter the crucial sectors of the front, year from this country. There was no wordfa the Ong- Acheson told the House For- jin Peninsula, northwest of Seoul, eign Affairs Committee in Jan-The 17th Regiment from the uary that the Republic of Korea peninsula knifed north in a sur- was a "safe bet" to resist any prise attack and seized Haeju, aggression from the Communist-five miles inside Northern Korea, held northern half of the penin- (The Peiping radio quoted sula. North Korean claims that the There was no effort here to Southerners started the fighting conceal the general belief that by attacking along the entire the North Koreans had Moscow front. It said the Southerners backing in their onslaught, and Now you can afford to send Besides, they save you time in all laundry work.

I1 ffe CAPITAL'S Semitone Dry Cleaning Is 4 Ways Better Stubborn spots out More dirt removed colors brighter Better, longer-lasting press No dry cleaning odors You can look your Sunday best every day for no extra cost. Let Capital restore your vacation and sport clothes, too, with this better k'md of dry cleaning that removes perspiration and grass stains easily. invaded at three points, moving north of the border more than a mile.) Seoul Airport Strafed The invaders were reported to hold three towns south of the border on the valley route to Seoul. South of there, however, the defense stiffened and was said to be holding well. The towns are Kaesong, 40 miles northwest of Seoul; Chang-dan, and Paekchon.

Kaesong fell in the first rush. Changdan is 10 miles southeast of Seoul and six miles inside the border. Paekchon is near the border west of Kaesong. 4.000 Killed First Day The Northern Koreans bombed and strafed Seoul's Kimpo Airfield yesterday with Russian-built Yak planes. They knocked out an American C-54 transport and seven of the South Korean Air Force's 10 AT-6 trainer planes on the field.

Sihn said he could get no esti- mate casualtieS( tut- Clatjence Rvee, public-information officer, said he thought 4,000 Southern dead in the first day was probably conservative. An American officer estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Southern defenders killed the first day. Korea Missions Menaced Vatican City, June 25 (P) Vatican sources expressed alarm today over the fate of thriving Catholic missions menaced by the Communist invasion of Southern Korea. Intended purely as a tempo rary war expedient, the artificial boundary soon hardened into an enduring thing. For more than three years, Soviet and American troops faced each other across it.

On December 27, 1945, a Big-Four Foreign Ministers meeting at Moscow agreed to unify. the country under a four power trusteeship to last five years. Korea Asked Independence Trusteeship was a bad word in Korea, as Japan had used it to describe her annexation of the invasion-trampled peninsula. All Koreans protested. They wanted independence.

The then-unrecognized but disciplined Communist provisional regime in the North finally agreed to trusteeship, but after they had raised an Army which meant they intended to dominate and eventually control the South. When the Unitftd States proposed to unify Korea the United Nations, the Russians and the Northern Koreans boycotted the proceedings, as contrary to the-j trusteeship agreement. Occupation Troops Removed The U. N. went ahead arid held elections in the South.

Russia countered by withdrawing her estimated 100,000 garrison troops by December 30, 1948. The last American troops pulled out June Five Railroads Hit hv Strike Of Switchmen Continued from First Page spokesman said, because they want pay for an extra 8 hours weekly. The union is asking 48 hours' pay for a 40-hour week, equivalent to an hourly increase of 31 cents. The strike deadline at 6 a.m. local standard time, found the four roads most affected virtually idle.

All trains scheduled to depart after the deadline and most of those that could not reach destinations before striketime were canceled. However, the Rock Island reported some freight trains were on their main line. Members of the striking union had instructions from their strike committee to remain on the job until these trains reached their destinations. 922 New Locomotives Added Washington, June 25 (P) The Association of American Rail- roads said today the rail industry "had put 922 new locomotives into service "during the first five months of this year more than in any corresponding period since 1923. London Taxi Drivers End 3-Week-Old Strike London, June 25 (P) All of London's 6,200 taxicabs will be back on the streets tomorrow after a three-week strike of drivers.

The union voted to accept as commission 37 per cent of the fares shown on meters. They had demanded 40 per cent. They had been getting 33 1-3 per cent. I HV III ISSlI Shirts Are Starched To Order At CAPITAL Your shirts return just the way YOU like them light, medium or heavy, cuffs or collars only, or without any starch at all. Attention to detail and special washing and ironing equipment keep your shirts new and wearable for years.

All this service and a protective pack for only 20c each shirt! 17. N. Council Orders Cease-Fire In Korea if rnssm UVICI CALL WA 4185 Continued from First Page cease-fire, not blame anybody, not ask for withdrawal of the Northern troops, and set out on an investigation that would bring in the facts needed for a final decision. He presented a resolution to that effect and saw it defeated. The delegates' amendment work on the U.

S. resolution resulted in several changes. The United States had asked for a cease-fire directed solely at North Korea, the amended version called for a general cease-fire, but retained the accusation clause and the provision that North Korea retire its forces to the 38th parallel, the dividing line between North and South. Ask Ban on Aid to North In the original version, too, the United States spoke of an armed invasion of the Republic. The amended resolution spoke of an armed attack on the Republic by forces from the north.

In all cases, I I 1 I I I am em, msmmm Associated Press Wirepholo FLOOD DEBRIS The top of a covered bridge washed down Middle Island Creek along with parts of houses and other debris is stopped by another bridge at West Union, W. Va. A heavy cloudburst sent the creek over its banks..