Dear Johnnie: For the past two weeks I have had a letter to you listed on my mental agenda. I do not need to tell you that up to this point I have not reached that particular item.
Life grows no easier, particularly when it is complicated, as mine has been, by an extended trip with half a dozen stops--each with at least two motorcades.1 (There are many things that I hope you will never have to endure in this world, and somewhere near the top of the list I would put the motorcade when you are the chief victim.)
Barbie's departure for Chicago was delayed, as I suppose you already know, by Susie's illness. Apparently she got a case of bronchitis, or something similar, and the doctor wanted to keep her quiet for a few days. Now I hear that the family is to leave by air for Sheridan today, the sixteenth.2
The Rosenberg case continues to cause a very considerable amount of furor. Involved in the effort to have the sentence commuted are not only Communists.3 In addition there are people who honestly believe that there is a doubt as to the Rosenbergs' guilt; others who have conscientious scruples against capital punishment; still others who believe that clemency should be extended because of the two children of the couple; and then there are just the out and out cranks. Certain of these groups, of course, constantly write threatening letters. For myself and the members of the family living with me, I have not the slightest concern.
In fact, life for me personally would be much happier if I had less of this so-called "protection." Certainly I think that one faithful fellow going along with a six-shooter--possibly reinforced by one in my own pocket--would be ample. However, in the case of the cranks, they could, in their twisted minds, try to reach an individual through any one in the family. You are well aware of the extent to which the Korean commanders have gone in their effort to make certain that you do not become a victim in this regard. In the present circumstances, and until the turmoil and the shouting dies down, I have directed my head Secret Service man to double the guard on the children. I also ordered him to make certain that Barbie had no knowledge of this increase in strength. The extra man is just to be in the offing, and in this way neither Barbie nor the youngsters will be alarmed.
To address myself more specifically to the Rosenberg case for a minute, I must say that it goes against the grain to avoid interfering in the case where a woman is to receive capital punishment. Over against this, however, must be placed one or two facts that have great significance. The first of these is that in this instance it is the woman who is [the] strong and recalcitrant character, the man is the weak one. She has obviously been the leader in everything they did in the spy ring. The second thing is that if there would be any commuting of the woman's sentence without the man's, then from here on the Soviets would simply recruit their spies from among women.
Of course, another solution would be to commute the sentence of both. The impulses and sentiments that point to this kind of decision are obvious and scarcely need discussion. But, on the other hand, we know--and of this there is no shadow of doubt--that for some years the Soviets have been busily building up an efficient spy ring against the United States. We know that the Rosenbergs were part of that ring. If the Soviets can convince prospective recruits that the worst possible penalty they would ever have to pay for exposure as spies would be a relatively short term in prison, then their blandishments and bribes would be much more effective.
In other words, the exemplary feature of the punishment, the hope that it would deter others, is something that cannot be ignored. I had specific examples of this in the war. One month in Normandy, we had so many cases of assault, murder, and rape that the citizens of the region were driven to desperation. Even the priests visited me to say that they saw no recourse except to try to arm the French peasants with pitchforks, muskets, and anything else they could get. It happened that, at that moment, two men had been condemned to death for aggravated cases combining both rape and murder. Under my direction, this was made a semi-public execution, with representatives of all units, citizens, police forces, and churches present. The following month, we had only two cases, and they were both of a much less serious nature.4
Of course, I think that, if it were possible to assure that these people would be imprisoned for the rest of their natural lives, there would be no question that the vast bulk of the argument would rest on the side of commutation. But the fact is that, if they do not go to the chair, they will be released in fifteen years under federal law.
Jumping to another subject, your Uncle Milton is soon to start on a good will trip to South America.5 He will visit all the countries on that Continent except Argentina, where he will not go unless Peron ameliorates, to some extent, his unfair attitude toward American individuals and interests in that region.6 It is going to be an exhausting trip for Milton, but I hope it will be very much worthwhile in promoting better relations between the United States and the countries to the South.
In October or November, I expect personally to meet the President of Mexico somewhere on the Rio Grande on furtherance of this same kind of effort.7
Mamie and I are both well, and very much hope to get out to Denver this summer for four or five weeks.8 Take care of yourself. Devotedly
P.S. In this letter, I intended to discuss some of the factors involved in the Korean armistice and our struggles with President Rhee.9 I shall have to put that off for some later time.
