But, once war has been forced upon us, there is no other alternative than to apply every...

General Douglas MacArthur: [to the U.S. Congress] But, once war has been forced upon us, there is no other alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War's very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war, there can be no substitute for victory. For history teaches us, with unmistakable emphasis, that appeasement but begets new and bloodier war. Like blackmail, it lays the basis for new and increasingly greater demands until, as in blackmail, violence becomes the only alternative. "Why? Why... ," my soldiers asked of me, "surrender military advantages to an enemy in the field?" I could not answer. The magnificence and the courage and fortitude of the Korean people defies description. They have chosen to risk death rather than slavery