Evening star., 1955-04-24
ROPER
Continued From First Page


Wet Mini have been chased out
of South Wet Nam, many OF
these schools have closed.
Lack of leadership handicaps
the South Viet-Namese army.
United States Maj. Gen. John
Gron Mike) O'Daniel, here to
train the Viet-Namese troops. is
impressed by the individual SOL
dier. But army organization is
poor.
Gen. O'Daniel is forming the
Army into divisions for the first
time. The French kept the 10
cal units broken down into regi-
ments or battalions. Gen. O'Dan-
lei figures that the few capable
Viet-Namese leaders who are
available can be used best If
they command divisions instead
of smaller outfits.
Gen. O'Daniel is sending Amer
leans down into the small units
to teach the troops aggressive
tactics in roofing out guerillas.
Extra emphasis on this tactic is
deemed necessary so the troops
will be ready to fight should civil
war start here, and rebel forces
take to the hills.
The United States also Is ham
mering home the idea Of ag-
gressive, free-wheeling action in
stead of the defensive tactics the
French taught. But to capital
ize on aggressive tactics, the
Viet-Namese troops must learn
to think for themselves. Thus,
even in the military, the United
States encounters the difficulty
of trying to spark the Wet
Namese people into action.
The civil government of South
Wet Nam is tragic. Even the
top man-Premier Ngo Dinh
Diem-is inadequate. The best
argument for him seems to be
that he is the best man avail
able. This is a reflection on the
others, not on Mr.. Diem.
Diem Is Rarity
Premier Diem is a rarity
among Oriental politicians: He
Is incorruptible. He also is un-
compromisingly anti : Commu-
mist: The Reds killed one of his
brothers and he comes from a
traditionally Roman Catholic
family.
Premier Diem. however. Is a
scholar instead of the IRON listed
ruler that is needed to pull the
Viet-Namese people together. At
the age of 50. he never has
married. AS a youth, he took a
VOW of chastity, and even now
does not tolerate women around
the sprawling Freedom Palace
from which he tries to rule
South Wet Nam.
Premier Diem Is clear-eyed
and wholesome looking. but he
doesn't have the rabble- -rousing
instincts to attract a fervent
following. He's too shy. Prob
ably no premier in the world is
so frightened of making a pub
lie speech.
With American coaching, how
ever, he has been trying to learn.
He listens much; he has a prob
ing. inquiring mind. But just
when his foreign friends become
encouraged with his behavior,
he shoots off on a stubborn
streak that sometimes borders on
the petty.
Some months ago, he decided
to arrest one of his political
enemies. His intended victim,
tipped off, fed the country.
Premier Diem was so angry he
personally took charge of issu-
ing exist visas for every person
leaving Wet Nam.
Order Includes Tourists
Now not even the simplest
tourist can get out of Wet Nam
without his name going before
the Premier.
Premier Diem won't tolerate
press criticism. His censors re-
duce the contents of Saigon
newspapers to pap. In the last
six months, he has closed about !
rs newspapers which stepped
across the lines he drew. He
barred the press from even using
the word "peace," unity" de
mocracy" or independence"
His explanation was that Com
munists had misused these
words. so the viet-Namese press
should avoid them.
Diem's government does not
censor news dispatches going
abroad, so foreigners often are
better informed than the people
living here. Viet-Namese depend
a lot on what they call Radio
Catinant." Rue Catinat is the