HORACE F. HENRIQUES JR., SECRETARY ROUND HILL RD., GREENWICH, CONN. 06833 BY HENRY B. HAGER, COR. SECRETARY 5841 WING LAKE RD., BIRMINGHAM, MICH. 48010

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00499R000300030023-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2001
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: January 1, 1971
• Content Type: NSPR

The days of study have not yet ended. Dud
Pratt just received his M.B.A. from the Uni-
versity of Hawaii after four years of extra hour
study. Carl Klesnme has come to Cambridge
to attend the advanced management pro-
gram at Harvard for 13 weeks this fall.
Sidney Hughes responded to the request
for news with a calling card containing the fol-
lowing titles: Treasurer, Yum Sing Society;
Les Doigts de Seigneur, Stem-Holders League,
Tin Ear, Three M Society; Bon Voyeur; and
Ambiance Chaser, Further inquiry elicited the
information that the Yi1m Sing Society ex-
plores "what we believe to be the best food
now in New York, Chinese cooking," while
the Stem-Holders League seeks "to get people
to hold their champagne and martini glasses
by the stems, and not warm them up by
clutching them in their hot hands." Sid's card
also included the category of "Deltiologist,"
and there will be a free drink at the next class
gathering for the first member who fathoms
that addiction.
The news is not exhausted, but I am. I'll
hope to see many of you in New Haven on
November 20.
M
Horace F. Henriques Jr., Secretary
Round Hill Rd., Greenwich, Conn. 06833
by Henry B. Hager, Cor. Secretary
5841 Wing Lake Rd., Birmingham, Mich.
48010
This past summer we have witnessed one of
the significant turning points in our time-
the beginning of the so-called Ping-Pong di-
plomacy and the President's stunning an-
nouncement of his decision to visit Peking.
These affect us, to be sure, as U.S. citizens.
But as members of the Class of '51, we are
affected in a very close and personal way
through our classmate, Jack Downey.
What's included here was written prior to
the President's announcement. But the follow-
ing reports are even more fascinating viewed
in an historical perspective, Thus Jerry Cohen,
professor of law at Harvard wrote in the July
7 edition of The New York Times:
"NEW HAVEN-The class of 1951 has just
held its 20th Reunion at Yale but Jack Downey
wasn't there. Jack and an assistant, Richard
Fecteau, have been in prison in China since
Nov. 29, 1952.
"In late 1954 the Supreme People's Court
in Peking announced that the two Americans
had been convicted of espionage for secretly
air-dropping suppliies and agents into China
as part of a C.I.A. effort to foment rebellion.
Four of the Chinese agents were executed.
Downey was sentenced to life, and Fecteau
got twenty years.
"The U.S. called the convictions 'a most
flagrant violation of justice' based upon
'trumped-up charges.' The men, it was said,
were actually 'civilians employed by the De-
partment of the Army,' who had never in-
vaded China's airspace but had been lost on a
routine flight from Korea to Japan.
"Sino-American negotiations in 1955 led to
the release of most other Americans held in
China. Early in 1957 China offered to release
Downey and Fecteau if the U.S. would allow
American newsmen to visit China. Secretary
Dulles refused to approve the arrangement
because it would constitute yielding to Chi-
nese 'blackmail.'
"Since then, for almost fifteen years, the
U.S. has quietly sought the release of Downey
and Fecteau. But it has never admitted the
truth of China's assertions. Yet many mem-
bers of the Class of '51 recall the day, several
months before graduation, when a representa-
tive of the then newly formed C.I.A. visited
New Haven to recruit Yale seniors who were
concerned about what the Korean conflict held
in store for them. The man was very vague
about the kind of work the recruits would en-
ter. Finally he indicated, 'purely as a hypo-
thetical,' that 'the agency' might want to or-
ganiz~ resistance in China. Jack Downey and
nypotnetical- mission called for.
"None of this is news.-to China, of course. In
this country our Government's Persistent de-
.
scholars and journalists. Yet the U.S. has thus
far refused to repudiate Mr. Dulles' posturing
about international law.
"Perhaps one can understand the reluctance
to confess error in the case of Fecteau, who is
scheduled for release in little more than a
year. But Downey is serving a life sentence.
The suicide last year of Hugh Redmond, an-
other American serving a life term for es-
pionage in China, should remind us that even
the bravest souls can endure only so much.
"We should not assume that China is in-
sensitive to either political or humanitarian
considerations in this last case of Americans
detained since the 1950's. Shortly after Red-
mond's death, Peking released the elderly
Bishop James Walsh before his sentence had
run its course, But Peking remains sensitive
about American attacks that slander the ad-
ministration of justice in China as uncivilized
and deny China the same right to self-defense
that other stales enjoy.
"Now that table tennis has introduced 'peo-
ple to people' diplomacy, the prospects for
Downey s release may well brighten if the
U.S. will admit that it violated China's terri-
torial integrity during a bygone wartime era,
apologize for having done so and recognize
China's sovereign right to punish offenses
against its security.
"If the U.S. opposes making individuals
the pawns of power politics, it should aban-
don its preoccupation with 'face,' as it did in
the much more ambiguous case of the Pueblo,
and set the record straight, Otherwise Jack
Downey may not make our 25th Reunion."
We might add that Jerry is the recent co-
author of a remarkable book on American bus-
iness called: America, Inc. It is a fascinating,
thought-provoking and challenging book. We
recommend it highly and extend our congratu-
lations to Jerry on its publication and its ex-
cellent reviews.
Our thanks to Al Peters for sending the ar-
ticle to us. He wrote: "Pitt Westerfield feels
that this should be included in our Post-Re-
union Directory, which was not possible due
to space limitations, Accordingly, I wonder if
it would not be a good idea to include the
article in our YAM classnotes...."
It was indeed a good idea, because as you
will see from this column, the prime concern
of the Class right now is Jack Downey.
Harry Henriques sent us the following ar-
ticle from the Greenwich paper.
"WASHINGTON (AP)-With attention
sharply rivited on the plight of American pris-
oners in North Vietnam, an older problem of
U.S. citizens held on the mainland of Ghina is
resurfacing, although its focus is slightly
fuzzy.
"The situation . came up last week dur-
ing Senate Foreign Relations Committee hear-
ings on U.S.-China policy. Sen. J.W. Ful-
bright asked Harvard University law professor
Jerome Cohen his thinking on the prisoners.
"Cohen indicated not enough was being
done regarding the two civilians, John Thomas
Downey and Richard Fecteau, and new ef-
forts should be made to secure their release.
" . Cohen suggested a possible answer to
freeing Downey and Fecteau might be in a
new investigation of the charges made by the
Chinese. He said John Foster Dulles ... took
the position that the charges were 'trumped-
up.' 'But this is a different era,' Cohen told
the Committee, 'and it might be appropriate
for the U.S. to make another inquiry into the
case.
'If the facts justify it,' he added, 'the
U.S, should admit the Chinese charges and
pay whatever the price to secure their re-
lease.'
The committee says it is preparing a
letter to the State Department suggesting the
United States consider action along the lines
suggested by Cohen.
"When asked its current position, the State
Department provided a letter it sends to those
inquiring about the prisoners.
'The imprisonment of these Americans is
a source of continuing sadness and frustra-
tion.' the letter said.
"The letter cited certain efforts taken by the
department. `However,' the department letter,
said, `attempting to obtain the release of these
men is a very difficult matter and the lever-
25X1A
cient effort and imagination were goinf
the efforts to obtain Jack's release.
Put Westerfield, who has been on the
line 'lo, these many years and whose effc
behalf of Jack have been devoted and in
ing, replied to Joe thusly:
"As Jack's roommate at Choate and
(seven years!) and as acting coordinat
all our efforts to get him released, I a
crate all suggestions and above all, f
Please let me dissuade you from the fe
that nothing is being done. . . The Cal
angle has been used to the hilt, and is
All principals of government have been
sonally called upon and the letter-writing
paign continues assiduously. . . Third
try approaches have been made contin,
We're working through the Chinese emb;
in London and Ottawa, and through a
dividuals going to China and returning
there who might have some influence.
"It does appear, however, that Jack
not be released until Washington is willi
admit that China acted properly under
national law. We continue to insult the
nese and this is getting Jack nowhere.
"Also important to realize are the fee
of Jack's family. His brother and mother
been to Peking four times, last in 1964.
are expecting another visa daily and df
want to rock the boat. They quite rightly
not participate in any publicity, and beg
no demonstrations of any kind be held.
"It does appear right to deal quiet]
hind the scenes with the powers that
powers in all institutions from governme
church, from business to sport, etc.
"It's best that we act individually and
encourage classmates and friends to act
Best, Put."
It doesn't take much reading between
lines to feel the anguish in Put's letter
disappointment and frustration he has
countered in more than 15 years of un
ing effort. We might suggest to one o1
sensitive and enterprizing journalists in
Class that Put's efforts in behalf of J.
freedom would make a remarkable and im
ing story. Failing that, the least we can cli
a Class, is to express our profound ad-
tion for Put and our gratitude for all he's d,
Joe Ryan had occasion to phone Ray
a month or so ago at the White House ar
asked if Ray had ever spoken to the h
dent about Jack. Ray, of course, has tI
guarded in any replies to enquiries cont,
ing the President, but he did allow as hop,
-top ic might have come up. M
We hope and pray that one result o
President's bold new diplomacy will be jf
and the other Americans release.
Speaking of Put Westerfield, it's only fll
to add this postscript: On July 15, Puti1
elected a vice-president of Time, Inc. He
you know, the publisher of Fortune. i,
Jack Lind wrote us this letter on July 9:
"Last night I returned from our Reu
a memorable occasion by any standard,.r,
tonight I read the June issue of the YA
mixed bag by my standards as far as the .1
notes are concerned. Jerry Flashner's v1
concerning Jack Downey were well receivev
all. For the information of all who were
able to attend the Reunion, let me reports
Put Westerfield opened the Class Dinner,
day night with a report on Jack and.
nounced that letters to the Senators of ff
pre-registered returning classmate had
prepared and were available in pre-stare'
pre-addressed envelopes at Reunion Fi
quarters. A majority of them were signed)
are on their way. The remainder have I
mailed to those who did not sign them
the weekend. The letters call for the relea
Jack and the three other citizens who re
prisoners in China. A copy will be includf
the Class Directory which will be ser
everyone shortly. After reading it, some ,
may wish to do as I did and add a plea thr
apologize to the Chinese for the inciden
which Jack was imprisoned. Without sue
apology, many of us feel we will never
Jack again."
Lind, never one to let an offense
lightly, added this note:
"And while we are on the subject of a
gizing, let's consider the case of Pat Nor