740.00119 Control (Korea)/7–1647: Telegram

Lieutenant General John R. Hodge to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent

Zgcg 907. To Hilldring. State serial 14232 indicates Korea political picture not clearly visualized in Washington. Rhee and his gang are engaged in all-out opposition to the Russians, the Joint Commission, General Hodge and military government using the war cry of “anti-trusteeship” and alleged high level promises to Rhee of a separate government for South Korea. His Washington lobby has recently tried to bog him down to no avail.

Russians well aware that if they can in any way scare or discredit those rightists who broke away from Rhee’s control to sign to cooperate with the Joint Commission that they will bolt their pledges and return to the “reactionary” camp, thus leaving the right without consultees. Rhee has been engaged for several days in activities appearing to be leading up to the announcement of provisional government of Korea using the old Chungking group as a basis. American press has carried no stories of his activities because they have not so far [Page 704] crystallized. American press has also refused to aggrandize Rhee by reporting his activities to US. However, Rhee and followers are making a great splash here among Koreans and will not listen to reason on a local level.

Jacobs will talk to him again on the line of State serial 142, but this has been hashed over many times with Rhee in all phases and embellishments by all Americans here from Hodge to American newspapermen. He is so far out on the limb that he will not listen to reason. Wedemeyer should be well briefed on Korea before he leaves. Rhee may listen to him, if he is still out of jail when Wedemeyer arrives.

Still believe statement along line suggested by Lerch33 is needed, not only for Rhee but to clarify the situation and put a calming influence on the entire populace. Rhee’s name need not be mentioned.

[
Hodge
]
  1. July 14, p. 701.
  2. In telegram Zgcg 897, July 14, from Seoul, General Lerch reported Syngman Rhee’s attitude and added: “The one thing he fears is unfavorable US press and denouncements of unfavorable statements by high government officials.… Because no high government official has taken notice of his repeated open denouncements of the American command here, he is growing bolder each day, Koreans do not understand, and many believe him.” (895.00/7–1447)