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Show WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS , MacArthur FJote Spotlights Breach On High Military-Civilian Levels; British Soldiers Arriving in Korea (FniTOR'S NOTE: H'hfn opinions are exprcstifd In these columns, they are those of Wentern Newspaper Union's news analysis and not necesnarlly ct this newspaper.) Air Strikes RAILROADS: ' Strike Called Off An unexpected strike threat, involving in-volving 131 major railroads and an estimated 1,700,000 rail workers, was called off by the unions after President Truman issued an executive execu-tive order for federal seizure of the railroads. Acting quickly to prevent a national na-tional emergency, the President ordered Secretary of the Army Frank Pace to take over the rail lines and operate them "in the name of the United States government." govern-ment." Within an hour the unions issued a statement: "The men we represent repre-sent will work for the government gladly under government operation of the railroads during this period of crisis until this dispute can be settled on its merits through mediation." media-tion." For the past 18 months rail unions un-ions and management have been deadlocked in a wage and hour dispute. dis-pute. The unions have demanded a 40-hour week and a 31-cent-an hour wage boost for yard workers to keep their take-home pay the same as it has been for the present 48-hnur 48-hnur week. Observers pointed out It was the fifth time in 32 years that the government gov-ernment has stepped in to take control con-trol of the nation's rail system. And most members of congress gave quick approval of the President's order. The unions considered the government gov-ernment seizure of the roads a victory vic-tory for their side, but any jubilation jubila-tion was quickly dampened with the announcement by White House press secretary Charles G. Ross that "the government doesn't intend in-tend to conduct negotiations with the union." Such negotiations will continue between unions and railroads rail-roads with a federal mediator avail' able "if needed." APPROPRIATIONS: Staggers Imagination The house sent to the senate two appropriation bills that staggered the average American's imagination imagina-tion and caused many to ask: "Where's the money coming from?" One was an emergency bill of $16,771,383,379 to help rearm this country and its allies, passed by a roll call vote of 310 to 1, and the other, a general appropriation bill of $35,554,490,425. The senate approved the general appropriation bill the following day and sent it to President Truman for his signature. The emergency bill included the big appropriation to purchase 5,333 warplanes and boosts to more than $30 billion the military outlays set up for this year. As an idea how the money will be spent, the bill included $260 million mil-lion for work on the hydrogen bomb and the atom bomb, $598,637,370 to stockpile strategic materials, $4,-535,400,000 $4,-535,400,000 for the air force, $2,648,-029,000 $2,648,-029,000 for the navy and $3,063,-547,000 $3,063,-547,000 for the army. In addition, there was $62,655,-850 $62,655,-850 to strengthen the state department's depart-ment's "Voice of America" program. pro-gram. The general appropriations bill carried a proposed $62,500,000 loan to Spain. It was approved by a standing vote of 165 to 90. No administration ad-ministration leaders spoke against the measure, which was surprising since President Truman and the state department had strongly opposed op-posed it and it had never been approved ap-proved by the congressional committees com-mittees having charge of foreign policy. Representative Smith of West Virginia made a bitter attack against the Spanish loan, pointing out that "we have here an almost ridiculous situation where an attempt at-tempt is being made to write foreign for-eign policy in an appropriation bill on the floor" of the house. Crime Probers MACARTHUR: Truman Applies Gag The now famous note of Cen. Douglas MacArthur to the Veterans Veter-ans of Foreign Wars, which President Pres-ident Truman personally ordered withdrawn, gave the people of the U.S. the almost unparalleled spectacle spec-tacle of a President telling an American general to mind his own business and leave foreign policy to the White House. In his note General MacArthur declared Formosa is vital to America's far east defenses and must remain in non-Communist hands. He went so far as to say that many did not understand "the pattern of oriental psychology to respect and follow aggressive, resolute, res-olute, and dynamic leadership." To pursue any other course than holding our Pacific positions would expose our friends in the orient "to the lustful thrusts of those who stand for slavery against liberty, for atheism as against God." The general's idea is that Formosa should be included in our Pacific positions. In personally ordering the note withdrawn, the President set forth the official American policy the United States has no designs on Formosa, we are guarding it to keep the war from spreading, and Its future as a former Japanese territory ter-ritory is a subject for international settlement. Republicans, however, quickly made political meat of the note and put it into the congressional record. Observers also were of the opinion Communist nations would use it as propaganda expounding U.S. 'imperialistic' designs upon Asia. It is an unfortunate breach between be-tween the military and high civil-Ian civil-Ian levels. Nothing like It has been spotlighted on the American scene since Lincoln's troubles with his generals and cabinet members. POLITICS: What's The Issue? An unusual, almost unique, situation situ-ation has developed on the American Ameri-can political scene. In the midst of war, with the highest number of employed in several years, with prosperity at a new peak, congress must adjourn soon so many of its members can campaign for reelection. reelec-tion. But the question is: What will be the issues? Four months ago there were a number of issues. Among them were such questions as reduced spending, slashing or Increasing armed forces, and . communism with the government. Many of those campaign issues have been cast aside and others must be found to take their place. Criticism of the conduct of the war seems the most likely. The senators and representatives are faced with another question. Should they go home to campaign now, or wait until the international picture has cleared and the Korean war has reached a definite phase? They will be criticized whatever they do. The political picture is further confused for a smashing pre-election victory in Korea could give the Democrats immediate needed support sup-port and would knock the Republicans' Repub-licans' campaign of criticism of the war's conduct into the ash can. It is one of the most unusual situations situ-ations ever to face a congress. CASUALTIES: Climb to 100,000 The Korean war is now in its third month. In this time the war has taken a toll of more than 100,-000 100,-000 killed, wounded or missing on both sides. It is a rough estimate, observers obser-vers reported, with nothing official offi-cial from North Korean sources, and United States losses are not up to date. The estimate was broken down as follows: North Korean losses frontline, 50,000; killed and wounded by strafing straf-ing and bombing front, 20,000; losses among guerrillas and in sea actions, 10.000; civilians killed or wounded by long-range bombing attacks at-tacks as announced by North Korean Kor-ean radio at Pyongyang, 11,582. UN losses American casualties (unofficials and estimated by several sev-eral sources which were not named), more than 500; South Korean battle losses, more than 20,000; South Korean Kor-ean civilians, but no possible estimate. SOCIAL SECURITY: 10 Million Benefit President Truman signed into law a vast expansion of social security se-curity which brings 10 million more workers under the law and, in some instances, increases benefits as much as 100 per cent. The new law was not as far reaching as the President had campaigned cam-paigned for, but he called it "an outstanding achievement" nevertheless. never-theless. The law will become active beginning October 1. As North Korean troops regrouped re-grouped along the comparatively comparative-ly quiet Wegwam-Tabu-Uisong (1) front, B-29 bombers and fighters continued strikes against rail marshalling yards, bridges and supply depots (bomb burst symbols). Communist Com-munist attacks west of Mason (2) were countered and the South Koreans met a new drive on the east coast (3). Two main enemy headquarters are at Chonju (4) and Mungyong (5). KOREA: British Troops Arrive Crack British troops 1,500 strong landed in Korea as U.N. forces continued to battle an increased Communist offensive from the north In the area of Pohang. The British reinforcements were from Hong Kong and had been in training for mountain fighting for 16 months. They will operate under the command of Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, commander of U.N. ground forces in Korea. J.'eanwhile, bitter fighting on the east coast continued, in what military mil-itary observers reported as a move by the invaders to cut in behind the vital communication center of Taegu. Frontal assaults on U.N. positions in that area repeatedly re-peatedly failed in recent week's. The Reds were reported using 40,000 troops along the jagged northern front, slipping strong patrols pa-trols through the mountains to within with-in 18 miles of Taegu. In the air. United States planes continued to pound Red supply and manufacturing centers and give close support to ground forces. The U.S. air force had flown 20,500 sorties since the beginning of the war and was credited with severely crippling the enemy. Confirmed Con-firmed destruction of 111 Red tanks was among the results listed, with no evaluated estimates on the number num-ber knocked out in more than 600 attacks on tanks, armored cars and half-tractor vehicles. SOVIETS: A New Trend A new trend of thought has effused ef-fused from the Korean war. It is based on the assumption that the struggle now has entered the critical criti-cal stage and the battle lines are fairly well stabilized, and, that the men in the Kremlin now must know beyond question that North Korean forces are doomed to defeat. The new thought is simply this: The Communists have decided what their next major move is to be and are getting set to make it. Western diplomats believe the Soviets and their satellites have three courses open to them at this point. First, they may occupy North Korea in an effort to prevent the U. S. - U. N. forces from crossing the 38th parallel and moving in close to Manchuria and the Russian port of Vladivostok. Second, being confronted with the prospect of a North Korean defeat, de-feat, they may make an effort, to settle the fighting in some manner acceptable both to Russia and the west. Third, they may send armed forces into the fight on the side of the North Koreans in open defiance of the U.N. Many United States officials believe be-lieve the first of the three courses is the most likely one to be employed em-ployed by the Soviets. These officials offi-cials believe that Russia is still anxious to avoid moves which might lead to a general war. Employment As the Korean war entered its tenth week the United States was experiencing a steadily tightening labor market. Unemployment was relatively low and more than 61 million persons had jobs. In some instances there were reports re-ports of labor "pirating" and other industries, especially aircraft, sent out scouts for skilled technicians. The situation was not likely to im-I im-I prove. si, .'Witrfi David Lubben, Hillsdale, N.J., candy maker, is shown chatting with Jack Elich, investigator for the senate crime committee. Lubben testified that "hoodlums" "hood-lums" working for Frank Costel-lo Costel-lo muscled him out of a business busi-ness worth almost a million dollars dol-lars a year. His testimony was taken In connection with a hearing hear-ing into activities of New Tork gangsters accused of operating a $10 million blacV -narket in sugar. COLLISION: 18 Persons Dead The navy hospital ship Benevolence Benev-olence was rammed and sunk by the freighter Mary Luckenback in a dense fog just outside of San Francisco's famous Golden Gate with a loss of 18 lives. The navy announced 489 persons were rescued. res-cued. The Benevolence sank on her slds within 20 minutes after the collision colli-sion as she returned to port from a trial run. |