dated May 26, 1951: Efforts to prevent World War III

President Truman told his press conference in Washington that a third world war would drive the world to the Dark Ages. Therefore, he was doing everything in his power to prevent it. The President said nothing in his life and the Administration mattered to him except the prevention of another world war. He was confident the policies he was following were the right ones to promote peace and the people of the United States and of the world knew they were the right policies.

Mr. Truman expressed the fear that a world war would make the United States an actual battleground, as he reviewed gravely the domestic and foreign situation. He said he was afraid there would be wide destruction throughout the country if it became a battlefront.

U.N. advance in Korea

United Nations troops swept over the 38th Parallel into North Korea for the third time on May 24, eleven months all but a day after the Communists first invaded the South.

The Chinese, their great spring offensive defeated, hurried in retreat all across the peninsula. The crossing was made on the east. On the Central front, the Communists were collapsing and United Nations tanks chased their retreating forces upto within five miles of 38th Parallel.

Lt. Gen. James Van Fleet, Allied Commander in the field told the war correspondents he thought the Communists had lost their nerve and ``turned turtle.'' Gen. Fleet said that there was no limitation on where the allied troops might go in pursuit. Observers believed this meant they could go across the boundary into North Korea, if they wished. Gen. Fleet described the present situation as one ``to inspire full gratification, but not induce optimism.''

Prohibition in Bombay

The Supreme Court on May 25, unanimously held the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 valid. The Court did not agree with the Bombay High Court's decision that the exemption of Military and naval canteens and cargo ships under the Act militated against the Fundamental Right of equality and equal protection of law guaranteed by the Constitution. It, therefore, held the provision granting the exemption valid.

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