Lot 209
Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 34th President of the United States (1945-53). Typed Letter Signed as President on White House letterhead, 1p, 9x7", Washington, 7 Nov. 1951. Marked "Personal," to American philosopher and writer, Will Durant, who wrote The Story of Civilization with his wife Ariel. Truman thanks Durant for his visit and his suggestions and hopes that Durant will listen to his national broadcast that same night. "…I think you will find that, with the exception of the murderers and crooks in China, we are in pretty close agreement. "
He continues with sharp criticism of both the communist and the nationalist Chinese governments. "The Chinese communists confiscated all our Government property in China, imprisoned our consuls and murdered some of our missionaries and I am not quite broadminded enough to endorse that procedure. I am hoping you are right that they will not continue to be the tail to Russia's kite but I've got to see a demonstration of it before I believe it. I've been very badly mistaken in Chinese Governments. When I became President of the United States I thought Chiang Kai-Shek's Government was on the road to a real reform government in China. I found by experience that it was the most corrupt and terrible Government that China ever had. I am never to be satisfied with a Government that maintains its power by murder and slave labor. I think …probably after you and I are being investigated by historians fifty or sixty years from now, there will be a settlement in China - at least I hope so…." Superb content.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
