Ridgway Speaking

Day after Malik's peace proposal, General Matthew Ridgway in Tokyo issued an anniversary statement that had the sound of a reply. Excerpts:

"One year ago today, the Republic of Korea was at peace ... its modest military establishment organized, armed and disposed solely for defense. That people and its defense forces were suddenly assaulted by their more heavily armed neighbor, which secretly planned and criminally sought the destruction of their independence . . .

"That act ... gave positive proof by actual deeds that the [Communists'] ceaseless professions of ... their devotion to 'democratic' processes and the maintenance of peace were utter shams ..

"This day . . . marks a year of achievement by a great world organization, dedicated to the employment of the collective strength of free peoples to repel the aggression of international outlaws . . .

"The United Nations command in Korea ... challenged, met and hurled back the most vicious forces which have yet threatened mankind in its age-old struggle to gain and preserve the dignity and freedom of the individual.

"I believe it quite possible that history may some day record that the crest of the Communist wave of coldblooded aggression was broken against the arms and the will to fight of the United Nations battle team in Korea . . .

"I find it difficult to understand the motives of the Chinese Communist leaders in continuing their aggression. Surely, by now, it must be clear to them . . . that they are incapable with their own resources of destroying the United Nations forces in Korea. It is difficult for me to believe that these . . . leaders can much longer delude themselves with the idea that this so-called [Russian] 'friend' has any intention of supplying arms in the quantities necessary to insure Chinese Communist success . . .

"This has been a year beset with peril and sacrifice. It has also been a year of incalculable progress . . . which has seen the forging by fire of a new and stronger unity of purpose . . ."

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