General Douglas MacArthur struck out with’ a sweeping condemnation of American policy at home and abroad, and declared that the result of the war in Korea has been “indecisive.” In one of his most powerful speeches since he was recalled from the – Far East, MacArthur laid down four major points: 1. The result of the war in Korea has been indecisive. He added, “Appeasement thereafter became the policy of war on the battlefield.” Costs Rising ‘Recklessly’ 2. American foreign policy has become a “mass of confused misunderstandings and vacillations.
The sorry truth is that we have no policy.” 3. The costs of government have risen at “an accelerated, alarming, and reckless rate,” and nothing is heard from Washington about the possibility of reduction or limitation of that nothing is heard from Washington about the possibility of reduction of these costs. 4. “The survival of the free world is infinitely more dependent upon the maintenance of a strong, vigorous, healthy,” and independent America than upon any financial aid which we might provide under our own existing stringencies.” MacArthur addressed a joint session of the Massachusetts House and Senate. Wearing his neat summer Army uniform, with the five stars of his rank, but no other decorations, MacArthur stood before a packed chamber and galleries. He was interrupted frequently by applause.
His expression was even more grim and determined than when he spoke before the joint session of Congress in Washington shortly after his return from Korea. MacArthur’s text ran to about 3,200 words. It was about equally devoted to foreign and domestic policies. MacArthur asserted that “a million soldiers on both sides” have been killed or wounded and at least a like number of civilians have become casualties,
His voice took a sharp edge of sarcasm when he discussed the circumstances surrounding President Truman’s action in stripping him of his commands in the Far East. The three reasons publicly stated, he said, “clearly demonstrate that arbitrary nature of the decision.” He recalled that these three were: 1. His warning about the strategic importance of Formosa, to which the Chinese Nationalist Government has been exiled. “Yet this viewpoint has since been declared by the Secretary of State … to have been and to be the invincible and longstanding policy of the United States.” 2. His proposal to meet the Communist commanders in the field in Korea to discuss a ceasefire. “For this proposal I was relieved of my command by the same authorities who since have received so enthusiastically the identical proposal when made by the Soviet Government.” 3. His reply to what he said was “a congressman’s request for information on a public subject.”
Of American foreign policy. MacArthur said: “I defy you or any other man ‘to tell me what it is. It has become a mass of confused misunderstandings and vacillations. It has meant one thing, today–another tomorrow has blown with every wind, changed with every tide.
Here is that address by General Douglas MacArthur as it was delivered on July 25, 1951 and broadcast by the Mutual network.
