Chapter X, Recall, pgs. 624-677 Summary and Analysis

Critics of MacArthur claimed that he choose which orders he would and wouldn't obey. MacArthur disagreed with this. He was given more latitude than other commanders and had a wide base of support in Congress. In March, MacArthur told the press that the Korean situation would end in a stalemate if he didn't receive more troops. He couldn't conduct a new offensive and then said that he didn't think that China had the industry capacity to conduct a war. The present United Nations policy would lead to China's collapse. MacArthur let it be known that he would meet with the opposing commander in chief to end the war within the United States constraints. This was an attempt to intimidate Peking.

In spite of this, MacArthur issued what was basically a quit-or-else statement. Government...