The Meaning of “Cease Fire” in Korea

VHEN the United Nations’ helicopter landed in Kaesong on July 8, it was surrounded by armed Reds. As our walked to the hall, to discuss )ase-fire and an armistice in Korea, they ere attended by armed Reds. Mean time. every radio station in Red China id Red Russia was announcing that we ad gone to Kaesong to sue for peace t that very moment, in Moscow, the Rus ans were staging their biggest demon ration yet of the quantity and Quality of leir air forces and saluting Red Joe talin as saviour of the world.

It is against that background that we' ust judge the value of the cease-fire i Iks in Korea. There may be an armi ice and a conference; but, as a contri ition to world peace, these things are lite useless.

All that has happened is that Russia doing all she can to gain time to pre ire for what she regards as the inevitable inflict between West and East, between uscovite Totalitarianism and European idividualism. With amazing speed, the nited States has prepared for war, and •agged the Western European Powers ith her into similar preparations. Within year, we have gained so much in military rength that we look towards the Iron irtain with some confidence. Above all, tnerica has built up a terrifying stock atomic bombs.

Our new strength, and especially our ;w bombs, have slightly dislocated Red ans. The Muscovite conspirators do not ar our armies; but they are worried >out our capacity to produce atomic mbs, and other very modern armaments, Russia can make atomic bombs; but ie has not our ability to produce bombs, anes and armaments generally in huge )lume. But she is very rapidly develop g her industries for war production; and le believes that if only she can get time

enough, she can meet us on something like equal terms. She wants her hands free until 1954, at least. Meanwhile, she weaken and embarrass us with the kind of bloodless but important strategic victories she has gained in Tibet and Persia.

With her limitless man-power, at least, "he can at any time overwhelm us, on land, with countless divisions. Her air forces are now perhaps comparable with ours. But in naval power, and in war machines. especially atomic weapons, we have a big advantage. So Russia meets us, in cease-fire talks, in Korea; but that *s only because the huge power we have developed in Korea is causing the Red armies very serious losses in the kind of equipment which the Muscovites wish to conserve for the more serious' struggle later on.

It has been part of the Russian plan to involve the Westerners in embarrassing and wasteful campaigns in Korea. Indo china Malaya, Burma, Tibet, and prob ably Persia; but when the Westerners refuse the invitation to engage in a suici dal campaign against China, but simply stand in Korea and endlessly smash Red equipment, it is time for the plotters to change the plan, somewhat.

Korea fighting may cease: but the

Cold War will go on. Russia hones that we may be lulled into a sense of false se curity; and, if we should slacken our preparations for defence, the doom of Western civilisation will be sealed. But if our present rate of re-arming is main tained, we shall at least be able to main tain our living standards and protect our most cherished institutions. And. if we attain sufficient strength and are resolute in our mimeses, we may yet avoid World War 111 altogether. But that is the only wav.

With the Reds fully armed, and the Democracies disarmed, as in 1947-49. Rus sia had a terrifying appearance. But. as we acquire the means to defend our selves, the picture changes.

The Western Powers, armed, should have no fear of Russia and the hotch potch of satellite nations she has gathered into the Red bloc. In a military sense, the Russians can be regarded with con tempt. Judged on their prowess in war, they are not in the same street as the Western European peonies, and especially the Anglo-American Powers, the French ahd the Germans. The chief, and almost the onlv strength of Russia and China in war is their almost unlimited man-nower: and, more and more, modern war depends on genius in organisation and direction, and the production of machines. In this respect—once we are ready—we need not fear Russia, or any combination of Reds.