The Reign in Spain
Sir:
As one who has lived in Spain and maintains a keen interest in its life and problems, I found your treatment of that troubled country judicious and accurate.
The Franco regime is an ugly, if somewhat mellowed, relic of the fascist era, and with its denial of basic civil liberties cannot really be acceptable to the new Western European community, founded on respect for human rights. The problem is, however, that ostracism may have the effect of solidifying popular support for Franco, as it did under the ill-fated U.N. resolution for diplomatic isolation in 1946.
By the way, was the issue with Don Juan on cover [June 22] banned in Spain?
JAMES VINCENT COMPTON Lecturer in History University of Maryland Overseas Program London
> Yes.--ED.
Sir:
I lived in Spain for five years and never once felt as if I was in a "police state." I am married to a Spaniard who shows no signs of being oppressed by his government. I strongly protest the treatment of General Franco by the American press in general and TIME in particular.
The U.S. allegedly has as its No. 1 goal the winning of the battle against Communism. Why then must it label the honest-to-goodness anti-Communist activities of a country and head of state as the shenanigans of a big bad dictator?
The U.S. should instead stand up and cheer that Communism is being vigorously dealt with in Spain.
(MRS.) CYNTHIA RUIZ-FORNELLS Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Sir:
The cover story on Franco Spain certainly points out another danger area to the U.S. Franco's impending demise gives rise to the notion of a creation of another Fidel Castro.
When the Spanish economy was tottering in 1953, and Franco with it, our "timely" assistance gave the Caudillo a few more years of despotic rule.
When will the State Department wake up and quit surrendering to the Pentagon, and stop using the policy of expediency to guide its foreign policy with regard to dictators of all stripes?
ROY GUTIERREZ Canton, Ohio
Sir:
You wind up the Henry Koerner doll and it splatters paint all over your cover.
GERRY TAPP Nashua, Iowa
Nelson's New Image
Sir:
TIME has dealt honestly and clearly with Nelson Rockefeller [June 15.] The Governor has put New York on a pay-as-you-go basis and is responsible with other people's money. I heartily endorse Mr. Rockefeller to run the nation's affairs.
I feel very strongly about wealthy people. Most of the really responsible millionaires have been brought up to know what money can do for people. They have also been brought up to work. I doubt if many so-called "whitecollar workers" put in half as many hours a day as does Mr. Rockefeller.
(MRS.) FRANCES M. WINCH Newfield, N.Y.
Sir:
I am enchanted by Mr. Rockefeller's ability to rise above the petty semantic dueling between liberal and conservative and to make his decisions on the basis of whether "It's right, it's neither liberal nor conservative, but it's the right thing to do."
What a pity that conservative Senator Goldwater does not use this formula. Think of the votes he could get.
FRANCIS H. ASPINWALL Skaneateles, N.Y.
Sir:
Owing to Rocky's changing stands on many vital issues (which you seem to imply is his fresh approach) in the past 15 months, my friends and I have given the Governor what we think is an appropriate nickname: Ole Weathervane.
MIKE BECKER Ridgewood, N.J.
The Allegiance of Jews
Sir:
Your report "Can an American Be a Jew?" (June 22] does not properly represent the views of Prime Minister Ben-Gurion. He has never declared that Jews, wherever they might be, owe their first allegiance to Israel. For years he has stated that Jews outside Israel owe political allegiance to their countries of residence only. For example, in a statement in 1950, reiterated in 1962, the Prime Minister said, "To my mind the position is perfectly clear. The Jews of the United States, as a community and as individuals, have only one political attachment, and that is to the United States of America. They owe no political allegiance to Israel." This point never arose during Ben-Gurion-Prinz dialogue. Mr. Ben-Gurion foresaw American culture and society becoming as unitary as old-established European nations, and pointed out the resultant problems in maintaining Jewish identity.
THEODOR KOLLEK Director-General Prime Minister's Office Jerusalem
> "After the many comments that have been made in the continuing dialogue on this issue, TIME is happy to have this direct statement of Premier Ben-Gurion's position.--ED.
Dessert Dance
Sir: Your June 15 report of Dr. Raper's theory--that desserts should start the meal--has excited my husband more than the twist.
Arthur has been eating dessert first for years, and now, finally, someone agrees with him.
Ex-ulcerite Arthur regards a foodless stomach as a puddle of acid. This, he says, must first be neutralized by something bland. He has cheesecake at Sardi's while others order martinis. He starts with custard at Le Pavilion as guests pepper their soup.
A long time ago, I once complained: "How can you order mocha cream cake for a first course!" Arthur said: "Whom do I have to impress--the headwaiter?" Dr. Raper can try that on his wife.
MRS. ARTHUR MURRAY New York City
Teddy & His Brother
Sir:
As an American doing research in England under a U.S. Government grant, I am frequently asked questions by members of this august university about U.S. politics. This week the question is: How can one respect a state political system that has allowed itself to be bludgeoned by spoils system techniques and has nominated for election to the U.S. Senate a young man who has yet to distinguish himself politically or academically and whose only apparent claim to fame is that he is related to the President of the U.S.?
My reply: one cannot.
WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL Cambridge University Cambridge, England
Sir:
I thoroughly enjoyed your article on the Massachusetts' Democratic Convention. But your reporter must have been a good Republican or a brainwashed Eddie McCormack fan.
As a delegate with no post office appointment or any other deal and without "pressure, pressure," I pledged my vote and worked for Ted Kennedy, "The Man Who Can Do More for Massachusetts."
EVERETT J. FOLEY Councilor Newburyport, Mass.
Sir:
To the young Democrat from Massachusetts with senatorial ambitions: Ask not what you can do for your brother; ask what your brother can do for you.
PAUL KERBY Greeley, Colo.
Sir:
As a TIME reader of some 14 years and a Democrat for about the same period, may I say I am just a bit weary of tiresome Republican readers who pester us so mercilessly with petty little anti-intellectual, xenophobic notes about Mr. Kennedy. He is a damn fine President, and everybody knows it, including his objective critics. I shall, of course, laugh all the way to the polls in '64. A landslide should prove especially delightful this time around.
BERNARD J. JAMES Director Center for Programs in Government Administration University of Chicago Chicago
Sir:
The atom bomb scares me, sometimes Khrushchev frightens me, but the Kennedys absolutely terrify me.
(MRS.) ANNA M. R. STONE Weirton, W. Va.
Freedom of Truth
Sir:
In your story of June 22 concerning the views of Justice Black on freedom of speech, you incorrectly cite John Peter Zenger as being a victim of the Sedition Act of 1798.
Zenger (1697-1746) was brought to trial in 1735 for publishing the New York Weekly Journal, which contained articles attacking the arbitrary measures of the Governor of New York, William Cosby. Zenger was arrested on the charge of false and scandalous libel, and imprisoned and held incommunicado for nine months. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton of Philadelphia, argued that the statements published were in fact true. In deciding for Zenger, the principle was established that the publication of truthful statements could not be considered libelous.
MELVIN DRIMMER Lecturer in History Hunter College New York City
> Reader Drimmer is correct. Since New York was a colony, Zenger was tried under English law, which stated that "if people should not be called to account for possessing the people with an ill opinion of the government, no government can subsist. For it is necessary for all governments that the people should have a good opinion of it."--ED.
Good Pest
Sir:
In the field of pest control, one pest is sometimes introduced to control another, more serious type.
As an exterminator, I certainly approve of "Pest" Harold Gross [June 15] and his methods of controlling the "waste-pests" infesting Congress.
R. L. HAWKS Inter-State Exterminators Wichita, Kans.
Sir:
More Gross in Congress would give us more net in the Treasury.
HARMON WESTON Corona del Mar, Calif.
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