June 6, 1952
Dear President and Mrs. Rhee:
The political situation in Korea has been so badly represented in the press and radio coverage here that I fear we shall have a long struggle to win back good will that has been lost. For a number of days after the stories began coming out of Pusan, I could not get my own thinking clarified enough to handle it very well. Finally, I have worked out the explanation which is stated in the two enclosed memoranda. I feel sure they are fundamentally sound, and, if so, will gradually come to be generally accepted. The trouble is that the newspapers and radio commentators who leaped to denounce what they regarded as an abuse of power will not similarly play up for their readers the fact that their initial reaction was a mistake. However, if the popular election is held, and if the people elect President Rhee by an overwhelming vote (as they will) these two facts will largely overcome the doubts that have been aroused. We should have democratic governments and peoples around the world applauding and assisting in what is another long step toward complete democracy! Once again you have been a "whipping boy," and once again the very actions for which you have been attacked have turned out to be of tremendous value to the democratic cause.
This morning I had a long talk with General Coulter. He asked me to assure you that you two are always in his thoughts and that he is and will be determined to do everything he can to help you. He was glad to get my explanation of the political situation, for, as he said, he knew you were right but he couldn’t entirely figure out how! As he said, you have a way of going right to the very heart of issues and deciding them correctly, while the rest of us are confused by the dust that flies in the process!
Coulter also said he feels pretty sure now that UNKRA’s basic program of reconstruction will begin to move rapidly now. He thinks the reconstruction of Seoul will commence soon. This, I should think, would be of great psychological as well as practical value. He also said that he thinks the time has come to “lay down the law” to the Communists at Panmunjom - and he thinks they will give in rather than fight. (Of course he is thinking of the present UN objectives, not of re-unification.) He said, the, that the talks have been necessary because a year ago we didn’t have the military power to risk an expansion of the war.
I’ve given the interpretation of the political situation to CIA, and an sending it out as fast as we can to the friends we have in newspaper and radio circles. We'11 do our best! And we admire the fight you are making against all the difficulties.
Cordially yours,
