which can be cited to point out what he says, plus the fact that Theodore Roosevelt was the man who made the move, the first man to make the move in the civilized world to recognize Japan's preeminent interests in Korea. Getting down to the second point about the Americans and the Russians coming to an agreement to divide Korea, I have been very much interested as to who was responsible for that so-called General Order No. 1 which established the 38th, and it might be well to point out that the Russians came in, I believe, at least 3 weeks earlier than we did, because it took us a long time to get the boys from Leyte. If there had been no agreement, what would have stopped the Russians from occupying all of Korea at that time? So that is the situation as I see it. But I want to compliment you on the good work you have done. Mr. ROBERTSON. Thank you very much, sir. Senator MANSFIELD. But historically Mr. Rhee is correct. The CHAIRMAN. Any further questions, Mike? Senator MANSFIELD. NO. Mr. ROBERTSON. Mr. Chairman, after the meeting with the President yesterday, Secretary Dulles did make a statement to the press outside the President's office. What he said is I reported to the President, had received his congratulations, that we had assurances which would justify us to proceed with the signing of an armistice at any time the Communists were ready to sign. Senator SPARKMAN. I heard that last night. Senator FERGUSON. I still think, Mr. Chairman, that that ought to stand as Mr. Dulles' and not as a conclusion of this committee. The CHAIRMAN. Any further questions? Senator SPARKMAN. Is that treaty you referred to the Treaty of Portsmouth? Mr. ROBERTSON. 1883, the one we had with Korea which would keep them from doing the very thing that they did. Senator HUMPHREY. I just want to apologize to you for not being here. I got tied up on this Agricultural Committee on the President's food proposal and one of our State Department representatives preceded us on the witness stand, and you know what happened. He didn't get off for a long time. ISSUES AT THE PEACE CONFERENCE I was very much impressed with what you said, just your last statement about the political discussions following any truce. As I understand it, you feel that that is the real critical time because of the desire of Red China to gain this ascendency by a seat on the United Nations. Mr. ROBERTSON. That is right. Senator HUMPHREY. Did you get any information as to the difficulties the Soviet is having in delivering goods to Red China? Mr. ROBERTSON. Not on this trip, but we get in the Department from time to time information that their 5-year program is way behind schedule and they are experiencing critical shortages. Senator HUMPHREY. And they are very anxious to reopen trade with Japan? Mr. ROBERTSON. Yes; because they know we will have Great Britain and Japan, the Netherlands and all our allies pressing right away to remove trade restrictions. We of course don't want to go into a political conference having given away our biggest asset. We are going to try and hold our allies in line to maintain every restriction we have got on trade, until we come to a solution there. TROOP WITHDRAWALS Senator HUMPHREY. Are you contemplating any withdrawal of forces at all following the truce? Mr. ROBERTSON. That is a military matter. They never have discussed it. Of course it is beyond my field. Senator HUMPHREY. I was just wondering would truce terms call for some strategic withdrawal? Mr. ROBERTSON. Yes; a withdrawal of both sides for 2 kilometers from the line of demarcation. Senator HUMPHREY. But there was no discussion as to the actual withdrawal of manpower, thereby weakening our position in the lower half? Mr. ROBERTSON. Our purpose in talking to President Rhee-we stayed away from discussing any of the military aspects. You take this question of the Chinese prisoners, non-Communists, and the non-Communist Korean prisoners. Whenever he would bring that up, I would say, "Mr. President, that is a military question wholly within the jurisdiction of General Clark. I will get him here and have him tell you personally about that." So every representation made to Rhee about the movement of prisoners which comes within Gen. Clark's jurisdiction, and every assurance made to Rhee on this score was made by General Clark, and not by me. WOULD RHEE SUPPORT COMMUNIST CHINESE ADMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS? Senator HUMPHREY. What would Mr. Rhee's position be, Mr. Robertson, in reference to the political discussions where, let us assume, that China would concede to a unification of Korea which would be a small sacrifice on her part indeed, and then seek a seat in the United Nations? Would Rhee oppose Red China being in the United Nations or would he, in order to get unification of Korea, be willing to throw his lot with the forces that seek Chinese recognition in the United Nations? Mr. ROBERTSON. I don't know, because we didn't discuss that. Korea is not a member of the United Nations. Senator HUMPHREY. But the point that I am getting at. I think it has some relevancy, is if Syngman Rhee gets a united Korea out of the political discussions and then all at once makes, as he can, a very pointed public statement that it is time that Red China was recognized in the Security Council and take the nationalist seat there, what position would it put us in? Mr. ROBERTSON. I think he would be incapable of doing that. I think he hates the Communists with the hatred of a fanatic. I think he would be the last one in the world to recommend it. He is terribly fearful of Communist power in Red China, and over the rest of the world. Senator HUMPHREY. You would think, however, that it would be very dangerous for us if that would happen? Mr. ROBERTSON. Yes; but I really think it is impossible. I think he would be incapable of doing it. TRIBUTE TO RHEE If you ever knew him and talked to him, he is a man who has deep dedication to his objectives. He has devoted his life, all of his adult life, for this idea of a free Korea, and despite all the abuse that has been heaped upon him, he is an old man of indomitable spirit and courage, and mentally a fascinating character to talk to. He is a very fine poet. He writes as beautiful English as anybody you know. He expresses himself with the clarity of a Woodrow Wilson. He is an amazing old man, a fascinating character. I would like to go fishing with him some time when I didn't have to talk about all these troublesome questions. Senator HUMPHREY. I want to join in commending you upon a mission well done. Senator SPARKMAN. We all do. Mr. ROBERTSON. Thank you very much, gentlemen. The CHAIRMAN. We all express to you our appreciation. [Whereupon, at 12:05 p.m., the committee adjourned.] MINUTES THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1953 UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee appointed to consider S. Con. Res. 27 and S. Con. Res. 32 met at 2:30 p.m. in the committee room. Members of the subcommittee are: Senator Smith of New Jersey, chairman, Senators Hickenlooper, Knowland, Green, Sparkman, and Gillette. Present: Senators Smith, Green, Sparkman, and Gillette. Chairman Wiley also attended the meeting, as did Senators Flanders and Jackson. The subcommittee discussed the desirability of holding hearings on the two resolutions. No decision was reached as some members were favorable to such a proposal and others were opposed to it. No official transcript was held of the meeting. The subcommittee adjourned at 3:30 p.m. MINUTES FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1953 UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, Washington, D.C. The committee met in executive session at 10:30 a.m. in the committee room. Present: Chairman Wiley, Senators Smith, Hickenlooper, Green, Sparkman, Gillette, Humphrey, and Mansfield. The committee considered the following Commercial Treaties: Executive R, 82d, 1st session, Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with Israel; Executive F, 82d, 2d session, Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations with Ethiopia; Executive H, 82d, 2d, session, Treaty supplementing the Agreement of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with Italy; Executive I, 82d, 2d session, Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with Denmark; Executive J, 82d, 2d session, Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with Greece; Executive N, 83d, 1st session, Agreement with Germany concerning the application of the Treaty with Germany; Executive O, 83d, 1st session, Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with Japan. These treaties were ordered reported by a voice vote. Certain reservations were attached to some of the treaties. The committee then considered S.J. Res. 96, proposing a Commission on International Telecommunication. Major Henry Holthusen, special consultant to the subcommittee on overseas information progams, of which Senator Hickenlooper is chairman, testified in connection with the resolution. It was ordered reported by voice vote, with certain amendments. For record of proceedings, see official transcript. |