13 DECEMBER 1969, Page 36

The road to Pinkville

Sir: The wish, expressed in my recent lea to you (23 August) re the us's problems Vietnam is answered in great part by George Gale's 'The Road to Pinkville' November). His history of the start, and originator this mess is well given. Had our then ticians (I shall not call them `statesole° been alert they could have gleaned f Churchill's reasoning why he wanted no of this fairy web; and also why it might smart brains for the us to do likewise.

it seems we were short on mental powers in high places at that crucial moment!

I believe Mr Gale's criticisms to be fair and well taken. He is most constructive in his suggested approach to a 'save face' solu- tion for our present government.

Whether or not Mr Nixon will accept such thinking, involving as it does the revelation of ineptness on the part of General Eisen- hower, is a very moot question. Especially as it is obvious there is here present a strong undercurrent of deification of Mr Eisen- hower! Mr Nixon, undoubtedly, has personal reasons for furthering such propa- ganda: a bit of a red herring maybe?

If our present governmental heads have sincerity, plus a willingness, in this great emergency, to subordinate their political aspirations to the good of our country, we could be out of Vietnam (almost) tomor- row! Almost any solution, now, is better than an ultimate result of the do nothing policy we today witness.