Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 40: Telegram

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President 1

top secret
operational immediate
Washington, 8 December 1951—11:51 a. m.

JCS–89118. From JCS.

1. Reur 080555Z,2 position taken in msg proposed in JCS 891143 with regard to rehabilitation was arrived at in consultation with State on folg considerations:

A.
This is to be a final position on which we would be prepared to accept a breakdown of negotiations.
B.
There is a strong feeling, particularly in the State Dept, that a mil armistice may be the only agreement we will have for a long time, and in fact we may not get a political settlement for some years. It would be impossible to deny for any appreciable time the right to rehabilitate those facilities upon which the economy of the country depends. Therefore, while on the short-term strictly military viewpoint denial of rehabilitation would be highly advantageous, particularly if hostilities were resumed, in the longer view we feel it would be impracticable to keep all of Korea in a state of devastation.
C.
Further, any such prohibition would work both ways thereby preventing needed rehabilitation in South Korea. For example, weather, accidents, or guerrilla action might seriously affect our own communications and we must have the right to repair them. Also, we have in mind an extensive and vital program of rehabilitation in South Korea to which the United States has already committed itself in UN. In addition, the point at which any work undertaken would become prohibited rehabilitation warranting protest and resumption of hostilities would be most difficult to decide.
D.
We consider some reservation regarding airfields necessary as their repair and extension would constitute a definite and observable [Page 1282] threat. Hence, parenthetical statement in Para 2B of JCS 89114.
E.
We feel that a stand against any rehabilitation whatsoever would constitute a definite breaking point with no armistice possible.

2. In view of above, we hope you will authorize transmission of the instructions contained in JCS 89114 to Gen Ridgway. State concurs.

  1. This telegram was addressed to the Naval Aide to President Truman aboard the presidential yacht Williamsburg on which the President was cruising at the time.↩

  2. This message, from President Truman aboard the Williamsburg, was dated December 8 and read as follows:

    “Following from President to J.C.S. Refer J.C.S. 89114. Explain to me why we should allow rehabilitation of roads, railroads and other facilities except air fields. We have expended lives, tons of bombs and a large amount of equipment to bring these people to terms.

    “They have been able to give us a bad time even in the crippled condition of their communications and they have been able to operate effectively even without air fields.” (Black Book, Tab 39)

    ↩
  3. Dated December 7, p. 1278.↩