From the South China Morning Post this week in: 1951
Washington, April 20
General MacArthur told Congress that the hopes and aspirations of the human race were centred in the Congress. 'You cannot appease Communism in Asia without simultaneously undermining our effort to halt it in Europe. The US cannot divide her effort in her struggle to check Communism.'
Prolonged applause greeted General MacArthur when he said: 'I have strongly recommended that as a matter of military urgency under no circumstances must Formosa fall under Communist control.'
The general was defending his Asian policy following his removal from his Far Eastern Commands. A day later, the Pentagon defended President Truman's removal of General MacArthur. The decision was taken 'upon the unanimous recommendation of the President's principal civilian and military advisers, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff'. This was the military's reply to General MacArthur's statement that his proposals for conducting the war in the Far East had been supported by practically every military leader, 'including our Joint Chiefs of Staff'.
The President said General MacArthur was removed because he was unable to support wholeheartedly the policies laid down by the United Nations and United States for conducting the Korean war. He said the policies advocated by General MacArthur carried a grave risk of World War III.
