Strength on Double Seven

James Peck, a blond young man of Manhattan who belongs to "Peacemakers," rushed up to the horseshoe table as the Security Council gathered last week at Lake Success. He began passing out "Mediation in Korea" leaflets. A guard told him to stop. Instead, Peck reached toward

Council President Arne Sunde of Norway, with a leaflet outstretched. Said Secretary General Trygve Lie sternly: "Get him out of here--quietly." Guards grabbed Peck and hustled him away (see cut).

Even before Peck reached the door, Sunde opened the meeting. Peacemaking by mediation was no longer possible. Sunde set the mood. In measured English, spiced with a heavy Scandinavian accent, he praised "the stamina and courage of American boys who hardly dreamed 14 days ago that they were to be the first to fight for the ideals and principles of the United Nations . . . Let us hope that we shall not fall too far behind these men in our determination and in our dedication."

Britain's Sir Gladwyn Jebb and France's Jean Chauvel introduced a joint Anglo-French resolution that welcomed "the prompt and vigorous support" which the world had given U.N.'s earlier Korea actions; they urged "a unified command under the United States," and asked the U.S. "to designate the commander of such forces."

Sunde asked if anyone else wanted to speak before the vote. There was a long silence. Then China's Tsiang Ting-fu spoke, with quiet eloquence, of an anniversary. It was the seventh day of the seventh month; he reminded the Council that on Double Seven--July 7, 1937--Japan began its war on China. Said Tsiang: "On that occasion, unfortunately, the fire was not put out at the start. The League of Nations failed to come to the aid of my country. It failed to uphold the principles of the covenant. I am sure I need not go into the consequences of that act of omission . . . Fortunately, today, the aggression against the Republic of Korea has been met with determination by the United Nations . . I am convinced that the sacrifices made now will, in the long run, save the peoples of the world much heavier sacrifices in future years and decades."

When Sunde called for a show of hands, the resolution passed. Seven voted for (Britain, China, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Norway, U.S.) and three abstained (Egypt, India, Yugoslavia). Russia's seat was still vacant. Next day President Truman designated Douglas MacArthur as commander of U.N. forces in Korea.

The resolution also authorized use of the U.N. flag in Korea "concurrently with the flags of the various nations participating." After the meeting Trygve Lie presented Warren Austin, the U.S. delegate, with the very U.N. flag that had flown over Ralph Bunche's mission while he was mediating the Palestine war. Lie told Austin that he wished Douglas MacArthur would fly it over his headquarters until there was peace in Korea. Said Lie: "I hope it will bring him success."

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