740.00119 Control (Korea)/11–1947: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
483. Cite Zpol 1392. 1. With reference to city of Seoul anniversary celebration mentioned Seoul PolAd No. 475, November 17, Dr. Rhee is dispatching today to his office in Washington following telegram which is being delayed 24 hours in order to enable this telegram to reach Dept first:
“Please transmit to Secretary Marshall and chairman United Nations Assembly following resolutions:
“‘Well over 100,000 assembled in mass meeting Saturday 15th at Seoul stadium unanimously resolved to express sincere appreciation for your concerted efforts to solve our difficult problem. As first step toward proper solution, South Korea election for congress promised by United States State Dept and AMG nearly a year ago should be held without further delay. This interim election will set up interim [Page 864] govt which will consult and cooperate with United Nations Commission when here, for otherwise there will be no official body truly representative of people work with Commission and consequently many difficulties follow. Election will take only few weeks as we are well prepared for it if General Hodge cooperates. Please advise him to set election date to complete this year.’”
2. In connection with foregoing, following untruths, characteristic of Rhee’s tactics, should be noted: first, although he states “100,000 attended meeting on Nov 15th,[”] the estimates of our own agents who attended meeting and who are usually generous in their estimates were that only 25,000 attended. Second, Rhee’s message makes it appear that multitude assembled at a mass meeting for purpose of passing resolutions when as matter of fact they assembled to attend official celebration sponsored by mayor of Seoul. What Rhee’s minions did was to muscle in at end of this meeting to read prepared resolutions while crowd was leaving stadium. The only approval of resolutions was given by these minions themselves. Mayor himself was angry at intrusion, especially angry over insult to Soviet flag. Third, statement that election will take only few weeks “as we are well prepared for it” merely means that Rhee and his minions are ready for a rigged election with no supervision in which his minions through intimidation and terrorism will control all votes. This last point is one of the best indices of Rhee’s concept of “democracy” which so readily lends itself to Soviet charges that Rhee is reactionary, pro-Japanese and Fascist.
3. We believe we sense some opposition to Rhee’s tactics and since we now know our immediate and ultimate election objectives under UN resolution, we can better control the situation by advising Korean public of new program such as General Hodge is doing in his initial statement communicated to Department in Seoul PolAd No. 482, November 19.
4. As present instance is such a glaring case of misrepresentation, Dept, when Ben Limb presents Rhee’s message, might tell him some of unvarnished truths about message which he delivers.