Letters: Feb. 24, 1961

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The U.N. & Red China

Sir:

If the United Nations is to become a place where we can properly attempt to resolve our problems with other nations, then I think it is high time that the U.S. stop trying to solve the Red China problem by pretending that Red China doesn't exist.'There is no question that Red China should be represented in the U.N. If we are insistent on keeping our enemies out of the U.N., then we are destroying it.

FRANCIS N. THOMAS

Buffalo, N.Y.

Sir:

I cannot seem to get it through my head why anyone, except a Communist, would want Red China in the United Nations at this time. Granted that there can be no world disarmament without her, why not wait until Russia has agreed to arms inspection and then insist that Red China also must accept arms inspection as the price of admission? This might even act as a spur for them to put pressure on each other. However, in the meantime, for the free and neutral nations to have to take on faith two such world-conquest-minded troublemakers (when the one already in the United Nations will not submit to inspection) would merely compound all of the other problems.

JOY E. BRAND

Austin, Texas

Sir:

Once Mr. K. felt sadly

For his cause in the U.N. was doing badly;

But now he looks on quite gladly

Because the U.N. has Adlai.

RAY NEIHENGEN JR.

Chicago

The U.N. & the Congo

Sir:

Re disintegration of the U.N. in the Congo, Christendom has already lost the cold war in Central Africa, not so much because of Franco-Belgian-British imperialism as because of race prejudice. The oppression of the colored in South Africa, the rear-guard action of the whites in Southern Rhodesia and Arkansas, are decisive.

One of two religions with no color bar will win Africa: the religion of Karl Marx, or Islam, where monarch and slave pray side by side in complete equality. It would be wise for the West to invest in Islam, which has tens of millions of missionaries on the spot, and which so far has held the line steadfastly against Communism.

WILLIAM A. EDDY

Colonel, U.S.M.C. (ret.)

Beirut, Lebanon

Aspirin for a Severed Arm?

Sir:

Kennedy's solution for our domestic problems can be likened to giving a man who has had his arm cut off an aspirin. You might lessen the pain while he bleeds to death. The answer to unemployment does not lie in stimulating buying power through increased social security benefits, increased unemployment benefits, or raising the minimum wage.

Wage rates geared to productivity, proper depreciation laws for industry permitting sensible write-off of equipment, and curbing the monopolistic power of unions in large industries that create a continual inflationary trend are the only ways to help the economy.

J. F. HELSEL

Salem, Ind.

Sir:

If a fraction of Mr. Kennedy's spending projects is passed, the New Frontier is liable to turn into the Last Roundup.

R. S. HAYES

Fresno, Calif.

First Ladies

Sir:

I very much admired the picture of Mrs. John F. Kennedy on your cover. I would like to know how many other First Ladies have appeared on TIME'S covers before.

LEENA KAPRIO

Alexandria, Egypt