795.00/8–750
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President
I saw Muccio at General Walker’s Headquarters. I asked him whether he wanted me to give the President any message, having in mind that there might be something that Muccio might want. He answered, “Tell him what great admiration I have for the stand that he has taken”. There was nothing he wanted. He explained the strong support the South Koreans had given us. Their armies had fought well, even during the first attack when they were over-run by tanks and overwhelmed by heavy artillery. No ROK unit had surrendered, even down to company. The morale of the Army was good, and they were [Page 528] fighting well. The morale of the Government was better, but Syngman Rhee was erratic, had his ups and down with the pulse of battle. The South Korean people were giving us full support, loading our ships, running the railroads, and South Korean police were maintaining order. No acts of major sabotage, in spite of Communist infiltration from the North, had occurred, and there were reports of cheering in Seoul whenever our planes came over. A million Koreans had come back with our troops. If there was victory, everyone would jump on the bandwagon. No doubt was in his mind as to the non-Communist outcome of an election. Some of the ROK police which had stayed behind were doing guerrilla work behind the enemy lines. Muccio sends texts for leaflets to Tokyo and data for radio. There has been some good work done, but not enough. The best thing of all would be good war news. Our radio is weak in Pusan, whereas the North Koreans have all the strong radios. He is now asking for a better radio in Pusan. Muccio has a staff of about 10, all of whom are good and their health is good…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .