No Extension of Panmunjom
There can only be thankfulness and a great sense of relief at Mr. Dulles's statement on Tuesday that he could not agree' to an extension of the period of " explanations," due to end on January 22nd, to the 20,000 prisoners still behind wire in Panmunjom. It is now seven weeks since the first Communist interrogators sat down to interyiew—if the hysterical process can be called interviewing—the first prisoner in Indian custody. Since that time, 2,511 prisoners have been pushed, pulled or dragged before them and seventy prisoners have staggered out in the direction of North Korea. In addition, 223 prisoners have chosen repatriation without the help of explanations. The side which demanded, this performance was the Commbnist side, and the one that has lost from the performance is the Communist. No one has gained, except possibly the Indians, who have earned the respect and the sympathy of the entire free world in their performance of their revolting task. That it started later and is taking longer than was envisaged in the armistice agreement is no reason whatever—not even under the terms of the agreement—for prolonging it. And it is difficult to believe that even the Communists will be sorry when it is over.
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