Thursday, 22 October

Minister Duan invited to dinner at the Embassy in honour of General Lee Beom-seok. The general spoke a great deal about his days in China. His father happened to be a great friend of Tang Shaoyi, so we became more intimate. He said he was a classmate of Ye Jianying at the Yunnan Jiangwutang. Minister Jun was the only Korean who taught at a Japanese university (The Chuo University) as a professor. He taught the Principles of Anglo-American Law. He was the Secretary-General of the Government Council when General Lee was Prime Minister. He told me he often had to smooth matters out between the two. He told us also a great deal about President Syngman Rhee (李承晩)[1], who is famous for his energy in spite of his years. He (Rhee) once went out fishing with his naval commander, who is a young man. The sea was so rough that everyone tried to persuade him to postpone the trip. But the old man insisted so everybody had to join him in a little yacht. After three hours’ out on the sea even the young captain was extremely sick and could hardly move, but the old man was feeling like a cock and greatly condemned the young commander. He (Rhee) was a great talker and at most of the Cabinet meetings he talked and talked for hours. Once he told Jun “We must do more and talk less.” Jun replied “Sir, you have talked for three hours just now while the others hardly had a chance.” The old man laughed and said “Excuse me it is my nature.”

Dr. Wu of Taipei was among the guests. He came out to participate in two international conferences. He is a famous doctor and a very nice man. He is leaving for the United States tomorrow on his way back to Taiwan.

[1] Syngman Rhee (1875-1965) was a statesman of the South Korea.