China

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28523, 28 February 1958, Page 3

China

Sir.—lt might interest “Good Old U.S.A/’ to know that the myth of North Korea attacking South Korea was debunked in the news magazine, “United States News and World Report.” in its issue of August 13. 1954 In an interview. President Syngman Rhee, of South Korea, states frankly, free of all context, “We started the fight in the first place in the hope that communism would be destroyed’' (page 49). On page 50 the President states: “. . . The United Nations means America.” This colossal hoax cost the lives of approximately 2,000.000 Koreans Incidentally, it f 'ost New Zealand about £13.000 000 and a few fatal casualties —Yours, etc.. JOHN BURBRIDGE.

February 26. 1958. (Since last Mr Burbridge quoted from the reported interview with President Rhee in “U.S. News and World Reports” we have made inquiries in Washington which show that President Rhee promptly denied the accuracy of the report., An official statement from the Korean Embassv explained that the words used were: “We shared the fight in the first place in the nope that Communism would be destroyed.” The word “started” was ascribed to a typographical error. Although Mr Burbridge might wish otherwise, the context of the statement cannot be ignored In answer to the interviewer’s sixth question (page 46) President Rhee described the dilemma in which the Republic of Korea found itself when it was attacked by the Communists: “If we were afraid we would have surrendered long ago and we would be in peace and unified. We would be slaves but we would not have been killed. . . ” Ed., “The Press.”]

Sir,—l am reminded of that historical quotation, “If you want an omelet you have to crack an egg,” when reading “A.M.’s” dissertation on the material advance of China at the cost of political and religious liberty. The assumption that these desirable objectives can only be appreciated by large families with blank minds and empty stomachs is one that is being discarded, though belatedly, by adherents to the old order of social frustration and stagnation The choice between a modern planned economy, with all its concomitants. against that unendurable period of starvation and disease experienced by the antique China has been made, and in this obvious decision it has not been

essential for the Chinese citizens to become heathens by a nation conscious of the neciessity of planning its economic and cultural existence comensurate with the modern age of realism.— Yours, etc., D.H.C. February 27, 1958.