Hope in Indo-China?
Sir:
In 1952, as national commander of the Jewish War Veterans, I [visited] Viet Nam and . . . can attest to the accuracy of your observations in your Nov. 22 story on Ho Chi Minh, [but] a number of optimistic points might be made on the basis of what I saw. I found the then President Tran Van Huu definitely pro-American and highly regarded by those Vietnamese who are favorable to the West. Although he left me with a clear impression that he felt that Viet Nam will eventually fall to the Communists because of the clever Communist propaganda program directed to what the masses wanted to hear—independence and freedom from colonial rule—I felt that against this is the fact of the existence of strong anti-Communist organizations with large private armies having headquarters at Saigon . . . It is to the concerted power of such groups that we can hope for anti-Communist strength.
I think it of significance, too, that at the end of World War II, the French interned Chinese Nationalist troops in Indo-China and placed them on a small island off the coast . . . and were still holding them when I was in Indo-China. I was amazed to learn . . . our allies in World War II should have been interned in order to appease the Chinese Reds, who did not want these troops returned to Formosa ... It is all important to the security of the U.S. that the Associated States of Indo-China remain among the free nations of the world.
PAUL GINSBERG
Atlanta
Sir:
. . . Your article clearly illustrated the ruthlessness of the French and all their dirty, underhanded dealings in an effort to keep the people of Indo-China under their thumb. They supported Bao Dai, a puppet, who lived in frivolous luxury while the people suffered in poverty and disease. Ho Chi Minh lives simply and works hard, and took advantage of all this . . .
LOUIS PHAL
Topeka, Kans.
Sir:
That picture of the Indo-Chinese women greeting the Viet Minh in Hanoi looks more like a national convention of tombstone gazers than a glad-hand welcoming committee. Ho Chi Minh and his henchmen would probably shudder with fear if they could properly analyze and interpret the facial expressions of these sad-looking souls.
DON KEES
Moscow, Idaho
Man of the Year
Sir:
My nod goes to President Eisenhower . . . This year ranks as the most peaceful one in the cold war period . . . Undoubtedly the President receives a large part of credit . . .
JUDAH DICK
New York City
Sir:
. . . I nominate Vice President Richard Nixon . . . Many are finding fault with him, but I believe . he will make a wonderful President some day.
VEDA F. MINNER
Wrangell, Alaska
Sir:
As an American who has lived and worked in Asia during most of the past 16 years, I nominate Chief Justice Earl Warren . . .
HORACE W. RYBURN
Bangkok
Sir:
Senator Arthur Watkins.
ROBERT J. INGRAM
Huntington Park, Calif.
Sir:
. . . Sir Anthony Eden—who held the Geneva Conference together . . .
DEREK WILD
Lille, France
Independence's Independent
Sir: