LETTER TO MR. SPYROS P. SKOURAS FROM DWIGHT EISENHOWER
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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP80R01731R000900100014-1
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K
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14
Document Creation Date:
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date:
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Publication Date:
January 22, 1953
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Dear Spyros:
January 22, 1953
Thank you very much for your thoughtful
letter of January 16th presenting in such
complete detail the observations gathered
on your recent Far Eastern trip.
It was a pleasure to talk with you in
person after your return and I appreciate
receiving these supplementary notes. I
am forwarding a copy of your letter together
with a carbon of this reply to the Secretary
of State in order that your suggestions may
receive more careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Mr. Spyros P. Skouras, President
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
444 West 56th Street
New York 19, New York
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January 16, 1953.
As promised, I am sending you herewith my observations gathered on
my Far Eastern trips In doing so, let me thank you again for the
audience you gave me and express my regret that this material was
not sent sooner, due to my desire to make it as cx)mplete as possi-
ble. I have tried to do it promptly in order to present it to you
before the Inauguration. A copy is enclosed for Mr. Dulles, as you
requested.
Our trip took us to Hawaii, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia,
Siam, Australia, New Zealand, Malaya and India, as well as a return
trip by way of Egypt, Greece, Italy,, Switzerland, England, Genmarry
and France. With Mrs,.Skouras, we travelled 72,000 miles over a
period of 69 days.
These travels were primarily for business purposes in the interest
of Twentieth Century-Fox, Nevertheless, I found myself returning
home with a great deal of information and convictions, having been-
thrown into contact with many outstanding goverrurcental and political
leaders, members of the press, industrialists and others, and having
talked to many hundreds of average people in the countries visited..
Even though I did not intend to look for material of the kind included
in this memorandum, the nature of the motion picture business is such,
with its interest to so many people and because of its identification
with our free way of life, that an opportunity was given me to make
observations and draw conclusions especially since the State Depart-
ment, at the instance of Up# Dean Acheson, had sent requests to all
of its Embassies and Consulates in the countries visited to afford
me an opportunity to see the officials of these countries.
First, let me make a personal observation and that is I an deeply
grateful that I am an American in an hour of history when we cannot
ignore the leadership which The Almighty has given to us and the
awesome responsibility that comes with it, we never consciously
looked for this responsibility, but circumstances beyond our control
have unquestionably given it to us and whether we like it or not,
today the world looks to us as its leaders.
From my heart also, I am grateful that in the crucial time ahead
we will have your wise and steady guidance and the benefit of the
goodwill and esteem the people of the world hold for you as an
American.
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No man is better equipped by experience than you are to guide the
destiny of the United States and the free world because throughout
your career you have been exposed to world conditions in many
count ries,
It is also reassuring that you have surrounded yourself with so
many experienced and able men by appointments you. have made to
important posts.
On my return, I am filled with anxiety as well an enthusiasm over
the potential opportunity we have to exert our leadership on the
side of freedom in the eyes of more than a billion fellow human
beings.
In many countries visited, some of the people live in wealth and
abundances while others live in poverty and misery. Many of these
people are confused and are subject to communist propaganda, but a
vast majority look hopefully to American help and leadership because
they admire and respect America and the American people., This majo-
rity truly looks to America as to a Moses to lead them out of the
wilderness and to a brighter day,
This respect is based on our economic position coupled with our
military strength, Even though some of these people criticize our
efforts to increase this strength for defense of the Western World,
it is really amazing how much they depend upon the strength of America
to aid them in case they are in diffiatlties. It is the same
attitude that a man has about a policeman; he will critize the cop
but expects him to come running if he is in trouble, It is extraor-
dinary, nevertheless, that these people are not afraid of us but
consider our strength as a benevolent i 1nga
But I have also come back home with the conviction that while we
build up our military strength and hold back military aggression,
the real struggle of the century is the moral one for the minds and
hearts of these Far Eastern multitudes., This challenge is worthy
of the best qualities we possess in vision, careful organization,
honesty and humane approach,
In Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Siam, Malaya, and India, not
to mention Australia and New Zealand, the overwhelming majority of
people are friendly to the United States because they realize that
our purpose is only to help them and the people of the world become
economically sound, self sufficient, and above all, free and inde-
pendent,
This is contrary to the impressions sometimes given by the American
press because too often press accounts, reflecting the reactions of
supposed intellectuals and political leaders are not those of people
generally including the business men, bankers, merchants and above
all, the common people. In all these countries, my feeling increased
that newspaper stories give an exaggerated account of the real feelings
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op,
of Far Eastern people who can be won to our way of thinking if we
are as purposeful and alert as the Communists.
Of course, in all these countries the active Red elements, with
Moscow money behind them, try to foment ill will against us, using
every ruthless propaganda technique to hurt us in the eyes of the
Asians. They talk against our policy, criticize our behaviour at
home, attack everything and everybody, even our missionaries. But
their clever and unprincipled propaganda is less effective with the
masses of the people than it is with some of the intellectuals and
political leaders whose reactions are reflected in the press.
Please remember that the Reds in this part of the world are of the
same breed as those in America.
In my careful opinion, we have a far more valid claim upon the
loyalties of the Far Eastern people than any other country possibly
can have because we have proven our good intentions, Throughout
this area the people are tremendously impressed by our performance
in giving the Philippines their independence, in restoring Japan
to the family of nations, and in another part of the world treating
Germany magnanimously and helpfully, in spite of the fact that there
is a lingering under current of fear regarding the restoration of
the former enemy nations, particularly Japan.
Before giving some details about the trip, let me express the opi-
nion that we can best overcome communist propaganda by a concrete
program of adequate scope, based upon the most careful planning.
We must show beyond doubt that we understand these people and their
culture and history, and that we are sincere in wanting them to
understand us and our aims for the sake of freedom.
While the task facing the Voice of America program and the personnel
of the Point Four Administration is a huge one, there are many other
ways in which we can improve our standing with these people and
strengthen the moral empire we have begun to create for freedom.
First of all we should send people to these countries who are sympa-
thetic to the local people, thoroughly indoctrinated in their customs
and history, and if they are to be assigned in these countries,
familiar with the language spoken.
It is especially imperative, in my view, that our Ambassadors and
consular service people should have a knowledge of the language or
at once try to learn it when they are sent to a given country. It
is important that Ambassadors and Ministers should travel around
the countries to which they are assigned and not stay in the capital
all the time. They should come in contact with the people and show
an interest in their non-political civic affairs where there is
appropriate.
Nothing is more important to our cause than to prepare properly the
emissaries of every kind that we send abroad.
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It is of the utmost importance for men of outstanding calibre,
in and out of the government, to visit these countries from time
to time, These envoys of goodwill should include men of cabinet
rank, military men, leading business mnen, distinguished publishers
and writers and others who can add intelligently to our program for
winning the confidence of these people. We should especially en-
courage business men to visit these Far Eastern countries when they
have something concrete to offer in the way of improving trade rela-
tions and incurring goodwill.
In Al cases, our spokesmen abroad, h:Lgh and low, naturally cannot
be effective if they brag about the power and wealth of America;
they should be modest and understanding in every respect. Every
individual who goes to a foreign country should be thoroughly
briefed beforehand,
It was highly reassuring to read that Mr. Dulles is planning to
visit India. These people welcome such high level manifestations
of interest in them. When we do this in countries like Indonesia,
Siam, Philippines and India for example, we show them that we do
not take these people for granted but seriously want to deal with
them on a mutual basis through the be st talent and brain w e have.
Please permit me to add that under proper circumstances, the Pre-
sident of the United States can be enormously effective by paying
visits to these nations.
one of the questions on which the Red propagandists constantly try
to picture us in the worst possible light, as you so well know, is
that having to do with our treatment of colored peoples and mino-
rities at home. It is not well enough known in any part of the
world that we have made remarkable progress in the United States
in eliminating prejudices and correcting conditions which the com-
munists exaggerate out of all proportion to the facts. In our own
time we have seen many abuses disappear.
One of our best ways of combatting the comist propaganda is for
our representatives and emissaries to conduct themselves toward
colored peoples of other countries in a manner above reproach. We
can win their respect when we behave so that the people we are
dealing with see that we regard them as equals. We can win the
propaganda war with Russia by putting honesty and truth against
the big lie,
It, is important to follow through on your idea, applied first in
Greece and now in Korea through General. Van Fleet, of developing
every army of every free nation in proportion to its resources,
population and need, so that it can defend itself and the free
world, for the strength of the free world is the most eloquent
argument in confronting the Russians today. But the more we
increase our moral influence, vin the confidence and establish
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the self-sufficiency of all free nations, the sooner the day will
arrive when we will not have to bear the whole responsibility of
maintaining the peace of the world.
As indicated, our trip convinced me above all that our greatest
challenge is to bring about the moral and spiritual conquest of
the world. Built upon these things, we can establish a moral empire
that will be lasting and will not collapse like the empires of the
past which were based principally on material conquest.
Just as we can prepare every official representative to take part in
this campaign for the goodwill of other peoples, so can we encourage
American industries, which have representatives in these countries, to
indoctrinate their own people concerning the importance of every
individual's conduct and business dealings in other countires. My
own observation, during the trip, was that some of our business people
who are stationed in the Far East, with the aid of our Embassies and
Consulates, have an excellent conception of the responsibility they
carry and aid greatly in presenting a good picture of America and the
American system.
One of the worst dangers is from casual visitors who are not con-
scious of the responsibility that goes with America's world leader-
ship. These people destroy the goodwill built up by other who are
conscious of their responsibility. In my opinion, passports granted
by the State Department should always be accompanied by material
informing the bearer of conditions in the countries he expects to
visit, outlining what is expected of him in his deportment while
in that country. Indeed, it is perhaps worthwhile to establish a
small unit in the State Department to unify a program of indoctrina-
tion for all Americans who visit other countries anywhere in the
world.
Let me now say a word about the motion picture industry. My exper"
ience in many countries has convinced me that our films must portray
us as we are - our virtues as well as our shortcomings.
Here again honesty and truth against lies and distortion are most
effective.
Repeatedly, during our travels, there was evidence of the great
impact of the American motion picture because we do not pull our
punches in producing films, presenting:.the bad as well as the good
side of American life. This is in contrast to the Russian method {
of using all of its controlled media to claim that everything
Russian is benign and beneficial.
It is my strong opinion that we must riot permit anyone to censor
American movies that censure Americans.
The American motion picture cannot be over estimated as a weapon
in an effort to win the allegiance of the people of the Far East.
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During my trip and since my return, I have had many discussions with
motion picture people regarding the need for more motion picture
theatres in those areas especially in Indonesia, Sia and India
because it is my belief the Far Eastern coup ri s offer a po'- to ial
new market for the exhibition of American produced films which is
almost limitless.
The influence upon the masses of the motion picture, as you know, is
incalculable. In my opinion, no other media of communication had
more effect in acquainting the peoples of foreign countries with
American freedom, American products and the American way of life
in general than our motion pictures. By and large, they have pre-
sented an honest and accurate picture of our way of life. They have
been so effective that they have always been anathema to the dic-
tators. Hitler, Mussolini and now Stalin banned them as one of their
first acts in their campaigns of conquest and now the American film
is not allowed to penetrate the Iron Curtain regions.
Evidence of the impact of the American motion picture was given to me
in many countries. People in the Far East, especially in countries
like India, spoke of our courage in producing films of the type of
"OXBOW INCIDENT"; "How Green Was My Valley"; "Song of Bernadette";
"Keys of the Kingdom"; "Gentleman's Agreement"; "Pinky"; and "Snake-
pit".
n our return journey, it was impressing to find in Egypt that "Quo
Vadis", a motion picture made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was being used
as effective propaganda for good government because it shows what
happens to people when government is corrupt.
Above everything else, our extensive trip has convinced me that the
peoples of the Far East will be receptive and responsive if we tell
adequately and modestly the true story of our way of life and make
clear our sincerity in helpt.ng other nations.
Through the Marshall Plan, the NATO undertaking, our mutual help pro-
ject among other things, we have now gained the offensive in the eyes
of foreign nations in the psychological struggle with the communists
and have succeeded in minimizing the effect of Soviet propaganda
although this still remaibs a most dangerous threat.
We must maintain this advantage with confidence and faith justified
by our tremendous resources not only in material things but in the
God-given morality our system represents. This effort must be so
forceful that the message of freedom will penetrate the Iron Curtain
and encourage the satellite nations of the world to rebel against
their Red masters. With this confidence and faith, we can encourage
the world to join with us in an irresistible forward march of right
against wrong so that a happy and serene world will be the lot of all
peoples including those in the satellite countries behind the Iron
Curtain. Ultimately our faith and purpose will break through that
barrier.
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Note let me mention some of my impressions on each country indivi-
dually.
It was amazing to me to see the progress that has been made in the
acceptance of democratic ideas among the Japanese people. In Tokyo
and in other cities,, as well as in the rural areas,, I found it to be
the spirit of the people to adopt democratic ideas and customs and to
show pride in doing so, Indeed,, it struck me that these people feel
it is fashionable nowadays for it to be known that they accept demo-
cracy. They certainly are friendly and. they are our allies. In
spite of this, we cannot take them for granted. There is much yet
to be done in imbuing them spiritually with our point of view.
As you know,, the Japanese are both an industrial and agricultural
people; they are hard workers and serious minded; the farmers get
more out of their soil by extensive cultivation than any other
people. Nevertheless,, it still amazes me that the Japanese, with
so little in material and natural resources., undertook a war on such
a vast scale,
With this kind of a mentality, these people must be studied, watched
and cultivated. For one thing,, vie should develop closer relations
with these industrious but perplexing people by encouraging better
relations between their best business people and our own. We should
remember that the Japanese are realists who will be receptive and
responsive if they are treated on a basis of equality and mutual
trust.. They are acquiring a good sense of humor as they become
westernized. Many of them speak English and, incidentally,, .English
is now taught in the Japanese schools?
One of the things we should understand about the Japanese is their
attitude of mind regarding their religion and their Emperor. Although
the respect of the people for the Emperor is stronger than ever,,
there is a trend toward Christianity. These are factors we must
understand in our effort to keep the Japanese on our side.
It must be pointed out strongly that the underground communist move-
ment has greater concentration in Japan than in any other place in
the Far East, according to the impressions received. The movement
is not as apparent as in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaya, but
it is stronger than in these countries and it must be reckoned with
in every stage in our program.
In the short time elapsing since the end of the war, General MacArthur
did a wonderful and extraordinary job in inspiring and educating these
people. No one can visit this country without being tremendously
impressed by this accomplishment. General Clark is now doing an
equally good job in carrying on the program of democratization.
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PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines the feeling toward us has gradually changed.
The old anti-American feeling is dying out and since we kept our
promise to give them independence, they have a great deal of res-
pect for America and Americans. The rank and file of the people
want to improve their ties with the United States, and to consider
themselves spiritually a part of American
This country, to my mind, is a pivotal factor in the propaganda
war not only because we have won this foothold in their convic-
tions by our conduct toward them, but because of the Huk-communist
revolution which is still going on. The Philippines are crucial to
the western cause because of the violence of this effort to break
down Filippino-American friendship.
The Huk movement is now waning to some extent, but it is still
dangerous and we should have no laxity regarding it because it
is a threat that can destroy our moral strength in the Philippines.
Business people and others to whom I talked made it clear that they
felt that every possible measure should. be taken to eliminate the
Huks completely.
We should be especially careful regarding the fitness and capacity
of officials we sent to this country, checking them most carefully.
In brief talks with Admiral Spruance, I was deeply impressed by him..
The Filippinos with whom I talked respect and regard him highly.
In the Philippines, as well as in other places in the Far East,
we should be sure that we do not carry on our information program
in a schoolmaster fashion, but deal with these people in a spirit
of understanding and modesty.
HONG KONG
In Hongkong, just outside Red China, we felt oppressively the
extent of the communistic encroachment which has already taken place.
Here, in contact with business men and mane other Chinese, it was
made clear to me that many of the Chinese who are behind the Red
borders, only 40 miles away, feel that they have been enslaved.
One cannot help but feel the tragic effect of our failure to hold
this vast population which was so predominantly pro-American.
All those I spoke with long for the day when they will regain their
freedom.
When we saw transports in the harbor with steam up, ready to take
off Europeans and Americans in case of emergency, we realized more
than ever that this area, like South Korea and West Germany, is one
of the powder kegs of the world.
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Yet, amidst this atmosphere and much international intrigue, the
Chinese population of two and a half million in Hongkong, outwardly
seem calm and stoical. They are going about their business as
usual, building homes and planning future business expansion.
SIAM ?# -
Siam is a country of eighteen million people who will look to us
for guidance if we try to understand them. The Siamese are an
extremely courteous and cheerful people and justify the name we
give the country "The land of smiles", and with intelligent cul-
tivation they will be our friends and allies.
Siam occupies a strategic position and because it is a borderline
country, we must adopt the most realistic measures in dealing with
the people assigning our most capable emissaries and applying our
best measures, for we must hold this country on our side at all
odds. We went to great lengths to make Greece and Turkey safe
from communism and although Siam is not an exact parallel, we must
give more and more attention doing much more than we are doing at
present in order to save this country and that of China.
As in Japan, Siam has a strong underground communist movement
and again in this instance we cannot be too watchful.
INDONESIA
The Indonesians are progressive and hopeful in their attitude toward
the future? They number eighty million and Indonesia is the weal-
thiest of the Asiatic countries and among the world's youngest
independent nations. These people, however, are so eager to absorb
the spirit of democracy that they are victims of some confusion
which plays into the hands of the communists.
Unfortunately, under the Dutch regime these people were never given
an opportunity to advance and they are not able to cope with their
independence.
Since the Indonesians were helped both by our side and by the com-
munists in gaining their independence, they are confused and trying '
to satisfy both sides, they are not afraid of their neutrality.
They overlook the disastrous action taken by the communists in
undermining them by fomenting revolution.
While in Djakarta, everyone told me that outside of the city there
are roving bands of communists and this subject is one of common talk
there.
Unless we give immediate and extensive attention to Indonesia we
run the risk of this country being lost to the Reds.
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President Soekarno is a capable man and talks proudly of the country's
neutrality. Even so, I ventured to call his attention to the fact that
he had better be prepared to keep law and order in his own borders -
otherwise his neutrality will be violated.
Indonesians are obviously naive and do not seem to understand their
peril. They have not learned, as we have, that strength and prepared-
ness are the only weapons against ruthless aggression.
In their present state of mind, they are attempting to satisfy every
individual complaint no matter how whimsical or trivial and this
effects all industries including motion pictures which are subject to
a drastic censorship,
This is a country where we should exert effort and ingenuity in order
to sway the people to our side by helping them to develop their indus-
try, their resources and their self-sufficiency.
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND
Before going to Malaya and India, we had an extended visit in Austra-
lia and New Zealand. Naturally, these countries have much in common
with us, having been our allies in the war, and they share our views
completely.
We had the privilege in Canberra, Australia, of staying overnight
with Governor General McKell, and had an opportunity to hear from
him about extensive development projects for Australia, which seems
to be on the threshold of a greater economic era in spite of its
small present population.
One undert* ing about which we learned was the Snowy Mountain Hydro
Electric project which is already in operation and which ultimately
will cost two hundred million pounds. This will create vast new
fertile areas.
Both Australia and New Zealand are countries of vast and untapped
wealth and resources.
Incidentally, American motion pictures are equally popular in these
countries with English motion pictures and constitute the principal
entertainment of the masses.
This does not go into detail concerning these two countries, as they
are like the United States.
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Pll~~
our visit to Singapore made keener my appreciation of the nature
of the struggle for the allegiance of the Far Eastern people, for
this fabulous city, the famed outpost of the orient, is another
of the focal points.
In Federated Lialaya the communist threat is worse than it is in
the Philippines and Indonesia, because a condition of revolution
has been inspired by the communists and here again a great deal of
concentrated attention should be given to this area in order to
save it from communistic domination.
We found much in Singapore to remind us that these people are
susceptible to western influence because they already have been
indoctrinated in Western ways, to a.large extent, by the English.
They are also great motion picture fans and prefer American motion
pictures.
INDIA
It was at once obvious to me in India, where we visited both
Calcutta and Bombay, that the Indian States, with their five
hundred million people, are a major battleground in the ideological
Conflict between Red Russia and the free world.
We first visited Calcutta where we were appalled by the poverty and
misery of so many people in this huge metropolis. Conditions were
much better in Bombay, which is among the great cities of the world.
Yet, everywhere in India where a majority of the people are illi-
terate and a minority highly cultured and intelligent, we were
amazed to find the goodwill that America enjoys in this area.
The Indian people are very realistic in their appreciation of the
help that we have given to them, not only the moral support we
gave to their struggle for independence, but in aiding them in
their present needs. This goodwill can be the basis for an en-
larged effort to make them understand even better that our object-
Ives are unselfish.
In endeavoring to develop their culture, the Indian people have
already made their motion picture production industry the third
largest in the world. Yet this is one of the few countries where
the motion picture has not reached into the minds and hearts of
the masses because there are only three thogsand theatres in all
the Indian Statep'to serve the huge population. I discussed this
condition with many exhibitors, producers, officials and other
Indians because additional theatres can be an instrument through
which to educate the illiterate masses in Western ideas.
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Up to now, these people have lived within themselves and have been
reluctant to be exposed to Western civilization, but we must con-
centrate on this problem in order to take advantage of the underly-
ing attitude for the sympathetic interest they have. Indeed, the
motion picture can be an helpful weapon of democracy in this region
where a vast pioneering job must be done.
The Hindu people are naturally a peaceful people and it is not
surprising that they believe they will fare better through neutra-
lity. This is why it is a most important responsibility of ours to
help them to learn to police themselves and to build up their own
strength. We should help them to see the necessity of having their
own army to protect themselves.
There is no more important mission for us than that of saving India,
since these people are already basically well disposed towards us
and have been indoctrinated in Western ways to some extent by the
British.
As mentioned previously, it is of tremendous importance that Mr. Dulles
is planning to visit this country and it is more important in India
than anywhere else that our emissaries go there fully briefed about
the people and their customs and that those stationed in India have
a knowledge of Hindustani.
Everywhere in India people spoke highly of Mr. Chester Bowles. He
is really doing the kind of a job we like an ambassador to do.
Unfortunately, we did not go to Delhi learning that Mr. Bowles was
not there.
My report does not cover Pakistan because we were unable to go
there and cannot speak with authority about that region.
Throughout my Far Eastern travels, I was constantly conscious of
the shrunken size of the modern world because of modern communica-
tion methods. My journey from Singapore to Calcutta, for example,
was accomplished in less than 4- hours and this is a trip of almost
two thousand miles.
Throughout my travels, which took me through the Middle East and
Europe on my way home, including Egypt, Greece, Italy, Switzerland,
England, Germany and France, I also often thought of your American
Legion address on August 25th in which you spoke not only of the
enslaved tens of millions of people In Europe but of the hundreds
of millions made captive in China, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Northern
Korea, Northern Japan and Northern Indo-China, which included your
statement that The Amrican conscience can never know peace until
these people are restored again to being masters of their own fate."
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This is the reason why I told you, during the recent interview you
granted me at the Commodore, that I could easily express the opinion
that the Korean problem must be solved by complete victory.
By achieving a total and final victory, we will convince the satellite
nations that Communist aggression cannot go one The defeat of the
Communists will bring them to the realization that the world is re-
solved and determined against such aggression and will never tolerate
it.
Since Korea is the fountainhead of all the propaganda that Russia
manufactures and feeds to the unfortunate satellite nations, I am
mindful of the great and awesome responsibility confronting you and
your Cabinet in making the decisions which will be of such profound
moment to mankind and to the future of world peace.
As we travelled through the countries which are still free in the
Far East, I recalled your warning in the American Legion speech that
the Soviets not only are determined to consolidate the economic power
and manpower of the satellite countries they have seized, but hope to
infiltrate and organize other areas still in the free world in order
to match the power and strength of America which they fear so much.
A conclusive victory in Korea will have a shattering effect upon
these plans,
In that address, I think you summed up magnificently the magnitude
of the crusade that must be carried on in order that the dignity and
well-being of mankind may be supreme in this world of ours.
Therefore, it is my prayer that these humble observations of mine
may be of some use as you chart our course for the future.
May The Almighty continue to guide you in your grave new responsi-
bility.
With kindest regards.
Sincerely,
Honorable Dwight D. Eisenhower,
President-Elect of the U.S.,
60 Morningside Drive,
New York, N.Y.
SPS:eg
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