TRUCE TALKS: Final Offer

However humiliating the U.S. posture was on Koje Island the U.N. position at Panmunjom continued strong and rocklike. With firm backing from Washington (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS), the U.N. negotiators at Panmunjom stood resolutely by their package offer. Said Matt Ridgway, on the eve of his departure: "We cannot and shall not retreat."

For the first time in months, the enemy negotiators showed some signs of irresolution, even of alarm. North Korea's General Nam Il complained that the U.N. was trying to impose its plan by threats, that the U.N. stand left no...