OCR Text |
Show SCANNING THE WEEK'S NEWS of Main Street and the World U. S. Charges Commies 'Murdered' 5,500 American Prisoners of War ATROCITIES A wave of anger rolled across the United States with the grim announcement by Eighth Army officers that the Reds have killed about 5,500 Americans and 290 other U.N. prisoners of war. Civilian Civil-ian and senate reaction was immediate and brought demands the Korean truce negotiations be broken off and use of atomic weapons against the Communists. Representative Crawford of Michigan summed up the average civilian's civil-ian's point of view by stating: "Let's get an answer from the Communists Commu-nists or let's quit negotiating and get tough and push the fight to a conclusion." The atrocity report said the Chinese had killed 2,513 American prisoners, pris-oners, 10 British, 40 Turkish, 5 Belgian and 75 others of "unknown nationality". The remainder of the victims were slain by North Koreans before or after the Chinese entered the war. It was also estimated that the Chinese have killed at least 2,790 non-Korean prisoners and the North Koreans about 3,000. The worse atrocity was blamed on the Chinese who killed 1,250 Americans near the Yalu river boundary of Manchuria between September Septem-ber 16 and 18, 1950. The Eighth Army spokesman who released the atrocity story gave no reason for making it public at this particular time. One result, however, how-ever, is expected to be the cementing of public opinion for a quick peace or an all-out fight using, if necessary, atomic weapons. Immediately after the story was released there were reports of Investigations In-vestigations into whether or not the death figures were correct. Latest reports indicated they might be revised upward. PEACE TALKS There was, however, every indication that a ceasefire cease-fire might be in prospect for the Korean battle front and possibly an armistice by Christmas. Allied and Communist negotiators were reported nearing agreement on the latest U. N. proposal. The Allied plan consisted of four points: (1) Hostilities to continue until an armistice is signed; (2) the present battle line to be a provisional cease-fire line; (3) this line to become final if a full armistice is reached within 30 days; and (4) if the armistice is not reached within 30 days, negotiations will start over by drawing a new cease-fire line based on whatever the battle line may be at that time. The idea behind the Allied plan was to gain a cease-fire now, but at the same time keeping the pressure on the Reds so the final armistice agreement could be negotiated. Distrust between the Allies and Communists remains the biggest hurdle in any peace settlement. POLITICS As a general rule politicians have always been reluctant reluc-tant of putting down in black and white definite opinions on domestic v ' ItiMffcw i I'iitfli'iwmn1flrnhlr1htrrii"rinf ' and foreign policies, especially before be-fore an important election. Sen. Robert A. Taft, at the moment leading contender for the GOP nomination for president, is an exception ex-ception to the rule. The senator recently wrote a book setting forth his views concerning con-cerning U. S. foreign policy which he entitled, "A Foreign Policy for Americans". Before next year's campaign is over it could be that Senator Taft will wish he had never had the inspiration or time for his literary effort. The senator, charging that President Truman put "all kinds of political and policy considerations" ahead of his interest In liberty and peace, has started a cyclone in political circles that will grow as the election gets nearer. Taft also says in his book, "If the present trend continues, it seems to me obvious that the President will become a complete dictator in the entire field of foreign policy and thereby acquire power to force upon congress all kinds of domestic policies which must necessarily follow." In rebuttal, the Democrats are charging that Taft is still an isolationist isola-tionist and the same man who said in 1940: "War is even worse than a German victory." AGAIN 'NO' Fr the second time in as many weeks President Truman Tru-man had occasion to say "no" to a proposal that he meet with Premier Stalin, Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Pleven for a big four conference. con-ference. The suggestion was made by President Vincent Auriol of France. The President contended the United Nations is the forum in which the leaders of the world should work for peace. He added, however, he would be willing to confer with Stalin if the Soviet leader came to Washington. Wash-ington. On several occasions the President has given the same answer to such a proposition, expressing the opinion that agreements with the Russians are not worth the paper on which they are written. MEAT SUPPLY The small town housewife will resume her role as the dictator of prices of steaks, chops and roasts in the neighborhood butcher shop in the next few months. That is the opinion of prominent cattle producers and farmers in the midwest corn belt where cattle and swine are finished for market. Stockmen base their reasoning on mounting livestock production in the nation, with federally insrjected beef Dlants turning out beef at a higher rate than in any November in four years. Housewife resistance to high prices is credited with already rolling back pork prices from 1 to 12 cents a pound below ceiling levels. Gross farm income is reported higher this year than last because of the large numbers of animals marketed at higher prices, but net profits are reduced because of higher operating costs. Also of concern to cattle producers is rising imports of foreign meat, some of which has not yet been placed on the market. This country's imports of pork and beef this year are breaking all former records. Pork imports are up 60 per cent over last year. AUTO TOLL The National Safety Council, which has geared Ks statistical service to a weekly basis, reported last week the death figure from automobile accidents has reached 995,600. The millionth death will occur during the third week of December, the NSC predicts. "This tragic event would make a mockery of all that Christmas stands for," Ned H. Dearborn, council president said. "I appeal to everyone every-one to drive and walk with extreme caution during the next few weeks. The millionth traffic death can be delayed if everyone does his part." NEW TAXES While vacationing in Florida, President Truman Is reported to be working on another request to congress for increased taxes. The report states he will definitely ask for more money when the lawmakers law-makers come back to work in January. Only the amount of the increase is yet to be determined. The report immediately drew the fire of Republicans and Democrats alike. Several stated they will not vote for any more taxes. And Senator George of Georgia, chairman of the powerful finance committee which handles tax measures in the senate, has already stated he will not vote for an increase "short of all-out war or a war crisis." The lawmakers are well aware of the fact that 1952 is an election year and that a tax increase is always an unpopular measure. . UNITED NATIONS Talk continued in the United Nations last week on disarmament with the Western powers outlining details of their plan and the Russians proposing one of their own, a dusted-off version of one that has been rejected by the West a number of times. Not even the most optimistic member of the United Nations believed that anything other than talk would come from the proposed plans. The rival disarmament plans are attracting a great deal of space in newspapers news-papers in all parts of the world, but the general public seems to view them as propaganda. |