740.00119 Control (Korea)/10–2846
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: Reference General Hodge’s recent message, attached,65 transmitted to War Department by General MacArthur, October 28. Late yesterday afternoon Colonel Pixton brought me this message, stating that General Norstad66 wanted our views before giving a reply.
I told him that Point A seemed to be one clearly for Army decision, but that I hoped, if decision were reached to raise our forces in Korea to full strength, the operation could be handled without fanfare.
[Page 752]With regard to B, I said that we had consistently favored getting increased food allocations for Korea and that I felt the case made by General Hodge for doing so was good and should receive urgent attention.
With reference to C, I said that it seemed to me entirely inappropriate for us to organize a “Rightist Youth Army” in Korea and that General Hodge might achieve the ends he desired by increasing the strength of the Korean police and constabulary.
I told him that the intent of D was not clear to me. He said that perhaps General Hodge had in mind a statement by the Secretary of State or the President. I told him that I did not think the situation warranted statements by either of them; that the situation described by General Hodge, alarming as it might be, did not form a basis for Government accusation against the Russians; and that, if more conclusive evidence were obtained with regard to Russian actions in north Korea, it would probably be best for Mr. Byrnes to discuss the matter privately with Mr. Molotov.
As General Hilldring was out of the building, I discussed the matter with Mr. Acheson, who indicated approval of the statements I had made.
It is my understanding that the War Department has asked for General MacArthur’s comments on the message; that it is trying to figure out how it can bring up our forces in Korea to full strength; that it is for the moment “ignoring” the suggestion for a “Rightist Youth Army”; and that it is having G–2 check the entire situation prior to giving consideration to suggestion for publicity “on higher levels”.
Copy to General Hilldring.