CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
July 4th, 1952
Dear Doc:
Another week has passed, and again seems to be the day of decision in regard to the Amendment in the Assembly. However, if nothing happens today, I feel sure that SMR will move ahead on dissolution. However, he has completely bought my suggestion on the referendum or pleblicte on the issue. The proclamation is all prepared, is ready for release at any time.
Both from the international viewpoint and for the sake of SMR himself I had suggested uring the past week: The lifting of censorship, the restoration of the chastized VOA, his statement of July 2 (enclosed) personally guaranteeing the safety of the Assemblymen, and the release yesterday of 10 of the Assemblymen. Fortunately, he agreed to reasons; I think that these moves will not only work for a political compromise here, but also reverse the trend of public opinion abroad. On Monday afternoon, I also cautioned him about permitting some of the men around him possibly becoming so powerful that he would be their helpless prisoner or pawn; I think it “took.” Many of the things that have happend -- and just between you and me, it cannot be denied that they did happen -- occurred without his knowledge. When we were working over the July 2nd statement he was surprised that anyone should be in fear and said that he always had been willing to protect the Assemblymen; but I pointed out that a personal guarantee from him would be constructive publicity for him and might cause the hesitant to come out of hiding (many did); it also showed some people who was still the boss and that any rough stuff would be a direct and open challenge to him. And so it goes.
I wrote a long paragraph to Char about the Douglass article. There is nothing that can be done about it. I’m not at all bitter, just amazed at the man. I must be terribly stupid, but I just don’t understand the man at all. In the midst of all this, he is busily working this week on sone convention program for the Nat. Recreation Assoc, to be held in Seattle.
Gaddis went back to Tokyo Tuesday. He began spitting blood with a terrible cough and wanted to go back for a complete check-up. He will doubtlessly remain there. He was somewhat disenchanted with affairs here, but was always thoroughly loyal, never let it show, and never blabbered out of turn. Don’t know what I would have done without his good help.
Sent a manuscript draft to Charlotte. Hope you will have the time to look it over and give your honest opinion of it as to possibilities. Somehow have managed to squeeze in the writing chore during the past month.
Have a million things to tell you -- or at least a half-million -- which cannot be committed to letter-writing. I propose a long, hairy bull-session when I get back, which I hope will be soon.
Operating on only 5 cylinders,
