740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–3146: Telegram
Lieutenant General John R. Hodge to the Secretary of State
urgent
[Received 2:26 p.m.]
Tfgcg 560 [to Tokyo]. Syngman Rhee sent the following 28 December radiogram to this headquarters in Seoul, “for your information”.
“10. Please publish through press, other channels my New Year message to all our people that sentiment in America and nearly all UN overwhelmingly [with?] us. In our determination to realize independence now we know the President is also deeply concerned about Korea and feels something must be done now. General MacArthur knows Korean Communists will never cooperate with us, yet few appeasers in State Dept are trying to block us every way. We must join all our forces with others in world in our fight to break through this block. Everyone knows Moscow decision has been scrapped by Soviet. For 15 months, in spite of convictions to the contrary, we completely cooperated with AMG in 5 different plans inaugurated by them, but all failed because a few so-called Leftist leaders refused to participate. We have failed to convince AMG that these Communist leaders’ only aim is to rule or reign [ruin?]. We cannot expect to achieve independence by patiently waiting any longer, therefore we must take proper steps to prove to world our capability for national unity and independence. We are doing the immediate carrying out of the plan of turning the Govt over to Korean administrators, as announced by General Hodge and General Lerch, for immediate national election with no empty promises or dilatory measures. We do not blame General Hodge, as we know the difficulty of his position; but we hope he will follow General MacArthur’s policy regarding Communist terrorists. We are neither anti-American nor anti-Social nor anti-Communist. We are solely for Korean people’s interests and for immediate restoration of our independence. We are still endeavoring to solve our problems peacefully. All that we are seeking to do is to exert our right of self determination. If others do not like it, we cannot [help it?]. Our people must be united in one purpose, the immediate achievement of our independence.
Telegram not delivered but I have had Major General Brown contact Mrs. Rhee for discussion of activities of the Rhee groups here. Intercepted letters and messages between Rhee and his headquarters and CIC information give strong indications that Rhee is directing his followers here with a view to starting mass demonstrations in protest against delays in Korean independence and against the Moscow decision, which may include violence and sit down strikes, to show the Americans that they are helpless without cooperation of his group.
Recommend that someone in Washington get hold of Rhee and talk frankly to him about the dangers of his apparent line of action. Suggest this be done by someone he will trust and listen to. If Mr. Preston [Page 786] Goodfellow has confidence of administration, he would be ideal, since he has complete confidence of Rhee. Major General A. Victor Arnold is also suggested, possibly to work with Goodfellow.
Rhee is nuisance in that he wants everything done his own impractical way and wants to head separate Govt of South Korea. However, we cannot and must not overlook his potential to do irreparable damage unless carefully handled.