The road to Pinkville
Sir: The charge in Mr Pulitzer's opinions about the Vietnam war (letters, 20 Decem- ber) illustrates a problem many Americans faced during the course of this Asian con- flict. Mr Pulitzer states that he formerly endorsed the us military involvement in South Vietnam, only to recognise later — after he had completed 'a great deal of re- search into the subject' — that the so-called 'domino theory' was a fallacious argument.
From the outset of America's involvement in Vietnam, I was among those who spoke out in protest. However. I take no pride in having seen the truth before Mr Pulitzer did, for I was among the few who were able to attend the 'teach-ins' at a university where experts debated the subject. But most Americans had to rely on newspapers and television for their facts, and the 'facts' that were given were the presumed lessons of history — Spain. Ethiopia, Czecho- slovakia during the 1930s, when no demo- cratic nation threatened to block the Fascist advances. In fairness to millions of thought- ful Americans who believed there was a historical parallel between the 1930s and the 1960s and who were not told by any American or European statesman the exact nature of China's interest in South-East Asia and India—for these Americans I am truly sorry. Not only have they been duped into supporting a barbarous war, but they have also made tremendous sacrifices in human lives lost and wrecked and in nat- ional welfare programmes postponed. As for the national leaders, the hawks, who were able to obtain the facts and so grievously misled the people, may they. as Mr Pulitzer suggests, be made to stand trial before the International Military Tribunal.
Katherine Hondius
435 Encinal Avenue, Menlo Park, Cali- fornia, USA
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