TRUMAN SEES DRIVE FOR DIGNITY IN KOREAN EVENTS, OTHER STRIFE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000700560019-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2004
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: May 5, 1960
• Content Type: PREL

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A
North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.
229 West 43rd Street, New York 36, N.Y. 'RUMAN--DIGNITY
Release Thursday, May 5, 1960.
EDITOR:
THIS ARTICLE MUST BE HELD FOR RELEASE UNTIL THURSDAY,
MAY 5) 1960.
Executive Registry
3 r,
IT MAY NpP BE RELEASED IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNTIL
THE SPECIFIED RELEASE DATE.
TRUMAN SEES DRIVE FOR DIGNITY
IN KCREAN EVENTS, OTHER STRIFE
BY HARRY S. TRUMAN
North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.
Copyright, 1960, by Harry S. Truman
(Reproduction of this article in whole or in part is forbidden
without written authorization).
In the recent demonstrations and acts of violence on several
ccntinents I see a clear re-affirmation of what-I have always be-
lieved--that people are no longer content to settle for economic
betterment at the expense of human dignity.
Throughout history there has been an unremitting struggle
against rule by dictatorship or repression by force. And today's
events in.Korea, Turkey, South Africa and Cuba reveal that some
governments have not kept up with the times in*meeting~the reason-
able aspirations of their people.
I was shocked and saddened by the circumstance
-1to
revolt in South Korea to preserve daracy there. It was an
ironic turn of events that Syngman Rhee, wh"""- bistory will record
as a great patriot and father of the Republic he cr%.,,ted, should
himself at this time of life, be the cause of uprising. 3 -)ld
like to say this to the Korean people, who know how I feel towaxah
them as a brave and free people,' that they must have learned the
lesson in democracy well under Syngman Rhee, to rise up even against
him in order to preserve their democracy.
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I had been wondering for some time about what was going
wrong with the government of Korea and watched with misgiving the
last election. I could only conclude and have now been able to con-
firm that Syngman Rhee was a victim of misplaced trust in some of
the people around him. Every head of government, especially strong
men in critical times, finds it difficult to pass on authority for
fear that their policies may be. jeopardized.
And, unfortunately, in the history of great leaders there is
always a temptation to overstay. I knew Syngm.an Rhee as a person of
sterling character, a fine mind and,of undaunted courage. He was
dedicated not only to his people but to the ideals of freedom. He
was a staunch partner of the West, and a bulwark against internation )
communism. In his present difficulties let us'not forget it, lest
we malign him out of all proportion to his errors and misjudgments
in trying to cling to power.
I hope that Korea will quickly mend the wounds of civil
strife and that law and order and responsible democratic government,
confirmed by a free election, can be restored. It is encouraging
to see that steps are being taken to correct the wrongs and mistakes
of the situation in that country. I am glad to see that this is
being done by civilian authority and that the military is cooperating
by keeping its place and maintaining its calm.
For the threat to the independence of Korea from the North
where Communist forces are still poised for Invasion is as acute
today as at the time of the 1950 aggression. Prolonged internal
dissension through inability or delay to re-establish a functioning
Republic could lead to chaos and play into the hands of Red China.
I was glad to see Secretary of State Christian Herter advise
Syngman Rhee of the dangers and possible consequences of popular
dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Presidential elections
were held. I think it was. not only proper for the Secretary of S'-.-'e
to interpose our government's opinion on a matter involving the pre-
servation of Korean democracy, but it wss wise in view of our respon-
sibilities to that country under the United Nations.
For me, Korea is the symbol of a people's determination to
resist not only invasion but. the imposition of a form of goverrim ent
which does not meet the aspirations of freedom ud Lwnu dignity
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When I think of Korea I cannot, help but recall the valiant
deeds of the Turkish troops in the United Nations forces that defended
Korea against the Communist invasion. That record is unmatched. And
the stand of Turkey against the threats of international communism and
their steadfast partnership with the West against the pressures of
the Kremlin have helped to maintain the peace of the world.
It is because of this magnificent record that I am sorry to
see a situation developing about which 1had had some misgivings for
some time. As a friend of Turkey and the Turkish people I know it
will not be taken amiss when I suggest that a nation cannot- suppress
the press without jeopardizing all freedoms. Imprisoning journalists,
especially at a time in history when freedom is on the'march and
needs truth as an ally, is a grave mistake and can only lead to
trouble.
I have not always been a champion of all the practices of
the press. There are times when the press can be unkind and.irres-
ponsible. But I would rather risk the excesses of the press than the
curbing of the unrestricted freedom of 'expression. Democracy cannot-
exist or prosper without a free press, and the full expression of a
people of their considered judgment. i hope that Turkey will soon
resolve its dirfficulties with regard to the press in the light of
the needs of the times and Turkeys important role in the family of
free nations.
The events in South Africa have been distressing. Much of
what has happened was foretold by that great South African-statesman
Jan Christian Smuts. He led in the opposition to race discrimination
with its denial of human rights. Out of this tragedy in South Africa
which aroused the concern of nations throughout the world, there muse-
inevitably come a change of policy. I hope that with sanity andl
common sense a peaceful solution will soon be possible.
I do not think I am over-optimistic in predicting that in
our time bigotry and intolerance about race and religion can yield to
reason and good will. I would suggest that new measures be taken
without further delay through the United Nations to seek improvement
between the races throughout the world. In many areas of the world
(more)
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Truman-Dignity--Page 4'
important gains have been made toward that goal but I can see where a
certain amount of partnership with the United Nations would hasten
progress in-some of the trouble spots.
And I am sorry to say that in our own hemisphere there ar~~
areas where liberty is being threatened. In Cuba, for instance,
freedom and human dignity, restricted by the Batista dictatorship,
are once again being subverted and this time in the name of revolu-
tion by the Castro dictatorship.
Castro has suppressed the freedom of the press, freedom of
assembly, and the right of the people to free elections. And the
Cuban people and the nation today are going through a serious econom-
ic situation, and are being directed into adventure beyond the
capacity of either the inept Castro or his reckless advisors to
guide or administer.
Castro is playing the dangerous game of using as a whipping
boy, the United States, the traditional friend and liberator of the
Cuban people. If Castro is doing this to perpetuate himself in
power, he is doomed to disappointment. And his trade arrangements
with the Communists will only get him into deeper trouble as similar
agreements have done to others who have played this kind of game.
I wonder what Castro thinks he can accomplish by importing
oil from Russia into Cuba in Russian bottoms, when oil is available
in such abundance from several of his South American neighbors.
This move will impress no one, and least of all the United States.
I wonder, too, what he thinks he can accomplish by seeking to
subvert the affairs of other nations in this hemisphere, and I am
not referring to the situation in the Dominican Republic. Does he
think the mess he is making of his own country constitutes an accepta
ble model for other freedom loving people to emulate?
Castro will find that the will of the people in Cuba, as
elsewhere, will prevail against attempts to suppress their freedom
and their rights. It is one thing to lead a people, and something
else-again to deceive and mislead them.
I believe that it is not unlikely that what has Just trans-
pired in Korea will happen in Cuba in due course of time.
(more)
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Truman-Dignity--Page 5
As I look at these trouble spots around the world, I cannot
lightly dismiss some situations here at home in our own country.
The ideals of freedom and the dignity of man are part of our basic
outlook on life and the law. Yet there are some people who at this
late stage of our development as a democracy are reluctant to recog-
nize the basic rights of all of our citizens, regardless' of race,
creed or color.
Bigotry is a hard thing to eradicate from the minds of some
people, even among the educated. But when bigotry invades the basic
rights of others it can lead to lawlessness and the suppression of
individual rights and human dignity. The moral codes'of most reli-
gions have stressed human dignity, and we should live by it.
In dealing with this distressing human problem of bigotry
and intolerance, we are confronted with established prejudices and
habits. We must try to overcome these in every peaceful way through
education and by example. We have made great progress since the
war between the states, as, for instance, in my own state of Missouri
where practical measures were taken by leaders of whites and Negroes
to do away with segregation, and there has been no violence and no
persecution. On the contrary, there has been growing understanding
and cooperation between all the people.
I am sure that my position regarding discrimination, bigotry
and intolerance is known. Recently I made a statement about so-called
"sit down" demonstrations in private establishments. What I had to
say had no reference to the basic issue of segregation, which I
oppose.
What I had in mind was my fear that any invasion of private
rights for whatever cause would give aid and comfort to segregation--
ists and provide them not only with an excuse to prolong their
resistance to integration, but would afford them the excuse to in-
vade the private rights of Negroes.
Either way, this could lead to violence and a. setback for
all the things we had been striving for. I am against the use of
violence, especially in a nation such as ours where democracy and
(shore )
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Truman-Dignity--Page 6
the government are seeking to assure individual rights and human
dignity to all. I think that what we must do now is to get the
leaders of both sides together to try to work out something along
the lines that has proved so successful in Missouri.
We must set an example for the entire world by the way we
deal with our own problems of safeguarding the rights and dignity
of the individual without any exception as to the race or religion
of our citizens.
End Truman-Dignity.
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 DE ILL C FI 1
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MEMORANDUM FOR:
nl_ 10
Iml-
Note Comment by Bill Hillman.
ST J. GB+
Assistant to the Director
(DATE)
IOAUGN54 II RELACES MUS10-101
ED.
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