Office of the Historian

795B.5/8–1550: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations

secret
Washington, August 15, 1950—7 p. m.

148. Confirming telecon Ludlow to Hyde re MacArthur’s Second Report to SC: MacArthur agrees to following wording penultimate paragraph report:

“The international character of the operations in Korea has received important emphasis since the preparation of the last report in the offers of combat forces made by a number of Members of the United Nations. But, it is my sincere hope that the Member Nations of the [Page 588] United Nations will without delay build up the strength of our ground forces. To bring the conflict to a successful conclusion quickly, it is essential for the Member nations to act speedily. The material utility of each contribution is directly related to the rapidity with which it is despatched. Urgent attention therefore should be given to the arrival of organizations now in being.”1

By agreement yesterday State Defense following paragraph has been deleted:

“There is increasing evidence that much of the equipment and supplies of the North Korean forces is of Soviet origin.”

Report as revised may now be transmitted to UN.2

Acheson

  1. The text of this paragraph, as submitted to Mr. Acheson by Secretary of Defense Johnson on August 11, had read as follows:

    “The international character of the operations in Korea has received important emphasis since the preparation of the last report in the offers of combat forces made by a number of members of the United Nations. But, it is my sincere hope that the member nations of the United Nations will without further delay build up the strength of our ground forces. Speed in this matter is of the essence. Contributions should not be token but of real strength and come immediately. They are needed now, not indefinitely later. Organizations now in being must be dispatched if they are to be of material utility. It is necessary that they come now in order materially to shorten the operation and bring it quickly to a successful conclusion.” (795B.5/8–1150)

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  2. The text of the report was transmitted to the Security Council by Mr. Austin on August 16; see U.N. document S/1694.↩