September 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, September 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/25/2014
Typed letter signed by Syngman Rhee as President of the People's Republic of South Korea, the country's first President. Written in 1954 on ''Kyung Mu Dai'' presidential stationery, Rhee writes to Ted Stewart in Los Angeles on how to thwart communism, which he despised to the point of being accused of murdering suspected communists. The letter contains a five step plan, designed to be implemented by community members who wish to, ''...make this crusade the beginning of the end for those who otherwise would destroy us and all we believe in...start...a movement in the hope that it will develop into an international anti-Communist crusade...'' Here are Rhee's suggestions: ''...1) Organize an Anti-Communist society in your locality and accept as members all those who will pledge themselves to keep their homes, communities and government free of Communist infiltration and indoctrination. 2) Get in touch with anti-Communist groups and individuals in your own and in other countries, and urge them to start similar societies. Hold regular meetings to discuss plans for making your society more effective in combating Communism, and then act on the plans. 3) Urge each member to devote a certain number of hours each week to recruiting new members and in carrying the fight against Communism into other organizations and all segments of the community. 4) Use every possible channel and means in attempting to rescue and re-educate those who have been deceived by Communist propaganda. Warn those who are ignorant of the Communist peril to stay away from those who have been duped and who are seeking new slaves for the Red totalitarians. 5) Enlist the assistance of editors and publishers, and those engaged in the radio and television industries. If you develop an active program that makes news, you can depend upon them to spread word of the crusade far and rapidly...'' Also included is correspondence from Rhee's secretary in September of that year, expressing regrets that the President's ''...schedule did not permit him any time...to talk with those who have been such good friends of Korea...'', while he was in Los Angeles for a visit. 2pp. letter measures 7.25'' x 10.25''. Near fine.
South Korean President Syngman Rhee Typed Letter Signed in 1954 -- ''...We should deal with communism as we would a contagious disease...''
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