로버츠가 웨드마이어 장군에게 보낸 서신

HEADQUARTERS KOREAN MILITARY ADVISORY GROUP APO 235 25 March 1949 Dear Wedemeyer: 300.6 I have your letter of 11 March and feel that I might express some personal thoughts on the Korean situation for your information. They,of course, are my own and right frequently I like my stuff better than that of others. I confess I do not know the answer to the problem of whether to take troops out of here or not. This I do feel however---if the American troops are removed, it will be no time until North absorbs or attacks South or vice versa. Since there is China talk of making a peace with the Commies there, there is also a growing school here who thinks similarly. With American troops here, a very very stabilizing effect is obtained. Without us the government will be weaker and jittery. They lean heavily for advice and act on it much more than the Chinese did. They are determined to outdo the Chinese I feel. Since you were here they realize the power I have in my recommendations to Mister United States, and particularly with reference to waste in supply matters they are for the first time realizing they must conserve, maintain and protect supplies. Even my bitter G4 Advisor, Major Geist, is pleased with what they've done to tighten up supply methods and practices. Geist says Korea can now supply 97% of QM items. If we pull our troops out of here chances are we lose the 300,000,000 plus already dropped in here, the ECA program should or would stop within a year, our face would not be helped in the Orient. In the long run, the furnishing of arms and certain equipment is cheap for that great industrial nation of ours. By doing that we have others fighting for us instead of our own boys taking the rap. We've got to take the chance that they will not be turned on us. We can always spare a few Advisors. A few advisors in whom they have confidence are worth their weight in gold. Let the US be the arsenal! Quit giving them all kinds of expensive gadgets. Base essentials, shooting irons, ammo, some radios, very little more transportation. Again I say the furnishing of manufactured rifles is relatively cheap for the U3 even though it spells big dollar value. By trading these arms and ammo for our combat team the US might retain a friend. Otherwise I feel that sooner or later they'll go into the enemy camp one way or another. When Mr. Hoffman was here he spoke like this, South Korea was a perfect spot to see what American dollars could do against Soviet propaganda. If this token force is removed that will at least be jeopardized, perhaps lost. We still must not neglect the possible change in attitude of the Government and the people if and when the ROT leaves. They may become bitter as most gift receivers do when the source is cut off. If they do become surly and arrogant I would recommend quick removal of the remainder. Lee Bum Suk has been taken out as Minister of National Defense and Mr. Sihn (the best man Korea has) has taken his place. Sihn was 18 years with the British Navy, has Western viewpoint,was Home Minister (Police) and is apparently a square shooter. I like the change. Best regards. Wish you all could have remained longer. Yours, Roberts