BATTLE OF KOREA: Until Such Time ...

"Hostilities will continue . . . until such time as there is an agreement on the . . .

armistice . . ."

So said Vice Admiral Joy, chief U.N.

delegate at the truce talks. On the eastern front last week, attacking South Koreans were driven back by counterattacking North Koreans. South of Kumsong, the Reds' central front bastion, U.N. forces gained more than a mile against heavy machine-gun fire. But the general pattern was one of watchful waiting.

While the cease-fire talks are going on, the U.N. commanders have to keep contact with the enemy in the field and prevent him from gaining ground. Within those limits, they are saving their men.

For the time being, they were not trying to kill large numbers of Reds — but they could start that again, any time.