U.S. THROUGH INDONESIAN EYES

The following article appeared in the Indonesian newspaper *Merdeka*, published in Djakarta. It was written by a member of the *Merdeka* staff, Harris Sitompoel, while attending the International Seminar at Harvard University in 1955.

What made the United States great and enabled it to progress was the American pioneer's spirit, a spirit inducing the American to be a businessman rather than a salaried public servant. A hundred years or so ago America was still an agricultural country, and its merchant marine was a clipper fleet consisting of full-rigged sailing vessels. Today, however, the United States is a financial centre of the world, and there are indications that American prosperity will rise to greater heights.

About a hundred years ago America was a country where the bulk of the capital in business enterprises came from foreign investors. Britain and a few continental European nations accounted for most of the investments. After 1880, however, the situation underwent a change and American capital started taking over from foreign investors. Thus began American-financed industrial development, a tremendous growth made possible chiefly by the free enterprise economic system which afforded American business all possible opportunity to conduct and expand its activities.

Free Entrepreneurs

Thanks to American entrepreneurs, to sufficient capital, and to the country's vast natural resources, America gradually developed into a great productive nation. America throws the bulk of its production into its own domestic markets, and this sets the United States apart from the other nations which depend for their survival almost exclusively on international trade.

We Asians often are tempted to believe that the American way of life is very materialistic because of the great importance they give to material equipment.

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2.

This belief is incorrect. The facts prove that in spite of all the material equipment they can afford, the American attitude toward life basically is not much different from that of other peoples. Americans do not think of themselves as being superior to other nations for the simple reason that they have had to work very hard for what they now have. And this perhaps explains the surprise on the part of Americans who know that Indonesia as a nation ranks third in potential wealth, yet its people seem to believe it is impossible to attain the standard of living which prevails in the United States.

The progress that American industry has made is partially the result of excellent relations between capital and labour. The strong position labour occupies in the United States today has secured for the worker high wages and various protective regulations. Among other labour gains, there are the guaranteed annual wage contracts recently negotiated. These contracts guarantee payment of wages during unemployment when there are periodic drops in production. However, unemployment is not likely to occur because there are always more things to be done than hands available to do them.

The various regulations indicate that American labour unions are working toward the best possible protection of the workers' interests. Back in 1920 labour's position was weak, and the combined membership of labour unions was only five million. This weakness was due to unlimited immigration which brought an influx of cheap labour into the United States. Between 1920 and 1929 - a period during which production went up 55 per cent - the average wage increase was only two per cent. It was only between the years 1930 and 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt headed the government, that the rise in wages began to keep pace with the increase of production.

The minimum wage today is one dollar an hour compared with 25 cents an hour in 1928. Where today's production has doubled the 1928 volume, wages have

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3.

hit a mark four times as high as the 1928 wage level. This compares very favourably, especially if one remembers that the cost of living now is only twice as high as that in 1928.

The principle underlying the American economic system calls for maintenance of equilibrium between production and consumer spending. American industries would not exist if there were no buying public interested in the items these industries produce. The main outlet for American industry is the U.S. domestic market. The medium used to attract the buying public to the products turned out is publicity -- advertising on which approximately 8,000 million dollars are spent each year.

Out of this total 30 million dollars go to literature on advertised goods, 115 million dollars to radio and television commercials, 600 million dollars to advertising in magazines, and the balance to advertising in several other kinds of publications.

## Impact of Publicity

Influenced by advertising, 42 million American families today own refrigerators, 34 million families own washing machines, one out of every three families a television set, and last year at least two out of every three families a radio. All this was made possible by publicity. Popular consumer goods would, without publicity, soon fade from the public mind.

What effect or effects has all this on American life? The old woman whose job is cleaning and tidying my room at the Harvard dormitory owns a car, a television set, a washing machine, and a refrigerator. And millions of Americans on her economic level own the same things.

Nevertheless, this prosperity has not made them different from other peoples. Generally speaking, Americans are friendly, considerate, kind-hearted

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and anxious to help whenever they can.

The bustle and restlessness in American life as depicted in Hollywood movies are only true of the big American cities. Most Americans loathe this kind of hurried life. If they come to New York, it is to see the big skyscrapers -- the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the on-and-off flickering neon lights at night in Times Square and Broadway. But after a brief stay of a day or two in the densely populated city of concrete-wrapped steel and plate glass, they usually are glad to go back again to their home towns, to the daily routine of their normal lives.

Copy

THE DELHI SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

University of Delhi

March 13, 1956

Dear Dr. Kissinger,

Thanks for your letter of February 24.

I am glad to receive your offer to hold an International Seminar in Delhi in 1956 under the joint auspices of Delhi School of Economics and Harvard University in conformity with proposals set out in Bhojwani's letter of December 30, 1955, and am pleased to confirm its acceptance.

The original proposals stand amended in respect of the number of participants (30 instead of 40) and the period of the meeting (December 3 to December 21 instead of September 16 to October 2). I share your sense of satisfaction at the prospect which the Seminar offers of organisational and substantive co-operation between Harvard and Delhi School of Economics, and am particularly happy to note that you will be able to attend the meeting.

Bhojwani will function as Secretary of the Committee which I am setting up for the organisation of the Seminar and he will correspond with you as hitherto in connection with it. But you should feel free to write to me any time on any matter.

With kind regards.

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS -- 1956

BELGIUM VAN BILSEN, Joseph, avenue Orban 172, Woluwe St. Pierre, Brussels.

Professor of social law at the College of Overseas Territories, Antwerp. Formerly deputy chief of staff of the Minister of Education. Has written extensively about Africa.

BURMA MAUNG, Maung, 55 Barr Street, Rangoon.

Attorney. Member of the Editorial Board of the Guardian, an English language magazine; Assistant Editor "Burma Law Reports."

CEYLON FERNANDO, Wattage Johanis, 3 De Fonseka Place, Bamalapitiya, Colombo.

Assistant Commissioner of Local Government in Ceylon. Has written and produced a number of Sinhalese plays and is an authority on Sinhalese literature and culture.

KANAKARATNE, Neville Theseus Dharmapala, 103 Greenlands Road, Colombo.

Crown Counsel in the Department of the Attorney General, Ceylon.

CHINA PENG, Ming-min, College of Law, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Formosa.

Associate Professor of International Law, National Taiwan University.

DENMARK JENSEN, Svend Börge, Møllevangen 46, Birkerod, Nr. Copenhagen.

Chairman of the Danish Social-Democratic Youth Organization. Chief Editor of *Free Youth*.

ENGLAND DAVIS, Michael McFarland, St. Mary's, Detillens Lane, Oxted, Surrey.

Principal at the Air Ministry, London. Formerly Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Air.

KENNEDY, Peter John, 58 Greenford Gardens, Greenford, Middlesex.

Assistant Lecturer in Physics, King's College, London University.

ROSS, William, 10 Chapelpark Road, Ayr, Scotland.

Member of Parliament. At one time British delegate to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

TOWNSEND, John Rowe, 28 Netherwood Road, Northenden, Manchester.

Editor of the *Manchester Guardian Weekly*, Art Editor of the *Manchester Guardian*.

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<table>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>FINLAND</td>
      <td>MALINEN, Pekka Kullervo, Pihlajatie 47-49. B. 28, Helsinki.<br>Secretary-General of the Finnish People's Party.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>FRANCE</td>
      <td>CLEMENT, Alain Marcel, Karl-Schurz-Str. 25, Bad Godesberg/Friesdorf.<br>Correspondent of Le Monde (Paris) in Germany.<br>d'ARVISENET, Guy Hipployte, Rue Beaumont 19a, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy.<br>Head of the Research and Documentation Department, Common Assembly, European Community for Coal and Steel. Formerly Secretary of the French delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.<br>PARIS, Jean Georges, 30 rue de Bellefond, Paris 9.<br>On the staff of the Bulletin Analytique, at the National Scientific Research Center, Sorbonne. Has published numerous poems, essays, translations, and is at present working on a detailed study on the modern novel.<br>SIMONARD, Andre Constant, rue Henri Heine 17, Paris.<br>Professor at the Higher School of Commercial Science, University of Paris. Legal Consultant of the Ministry of the Merchant Navy. Formerly first counsellor to the Minister for Public Works and Transport; Cabinet Director to the Secretary of State in the Government of M. Mendes-France.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>GERMANY</td>
      <td>CLAES, Astrid, Gyrhofstr. 3, Cologne.<br>Writer and poetess. Has published numerous translations, book reviews, poems and short stories.<br>GEHLHOFF, Joachim Heinrich, Cronstettenstr. 2, Frankfurt/Main.<br>Economic editor with the Deutsche Zeitung.<br>POTHORN, Herbert, Munich 23, Mandlstrasse 3a.<br>Free lance artist and writer. Has written and illustrated several stories for television.<br>STRAETLING, Erich, Frankengraben 43, Bad Godesberg.<br>Member of the German Foreign Office; Council of Legation; Referee for Inner Politics, Parliamentary Affairs. Preparations for Cabinet Meetings.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>INDIA</td>
      <td>BOSE, Hiralal, 7, Jantar Mantar Road, New Delhi 1.<br>Youth Organizer, All India Congress Committee, New Delhi. Organization of young people throughout India for future responsibilities, through camps, seminars, study classes, debates, etc.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

- 3 -

DAS, Ajit Kumar, Tower House, Chowringhee Square, Calcutta 1.

Correspondent of United Press for Eastern India, Correspondent for the Mainichi Newspapers, Japan. Professor of Economics at City College, Calcutta University.

KUPPUSWAMY, Bangalore, Maharaja's College, University of Mysore.

Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology, University of Mysore.

RAJADHYAKSHA, Narayan Dattaram, 17 Sitaladevi Building, Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim - 16, Bombay.

Lecturer in Logic and Philosophy, Jai Hind College, Bombay. Also actively associated with adult education work.

INDONESIA
DIAH, Mrs. Herawati, 61 Djalan Diponegoro, Djakarta.

Editor of newspaper *Indonesian Observer*, Editor of *Madjalah Merdeka*, illustrated weekly, and editor of *Keluarga*, a monthly magazine.

IRAQ
MAHFUZ, Hussain Ali, Kuraish 77/42, Kadhimain.

An authority on the Shi'ite sect of Islam. Author of *The Poets of the Shi'ite center of Kadhimain*.

IRELAND
WHITE, Sean Joseph, 37 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin.

Editor, *Irish Writing*, quarterly magazine of contemporary literature in Ireland. Author of numerous critical articles and short stories.

ITALY
BORGHESE, Alasia, Via Terme Deciane 10, Rome.

Sculptress. Regular contributor to the newspaper *Giornale d'Italia*.

DE MARCHI, Ernesto Ignazio Riccardo, Valbrona (Como).

Co-editor of *Occidente*. Research Assistant to the chair of Jurisprudence at the University of Turin.

MERLINI, Giovanni, Corso Re Umberto 54, Turin.

Assistant to the President of the Unione Tipografico-Editrice Torinese, a publishing house. Publishing Director of the Dizionario Enciclopedico UTET; National Vice-Secretary for the European Federalist Movement.

JAPAN
KUME, Mrs. Ai, Suginamiku, Koenji-5, 772, Tokyo.

Attorney at law; Professor of criminal law at Meiji University.

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MIZUKI, Mikiso, 131 Hakushima Kuken-cho, Hiroshima.

Supervisor of Biometrics Section, Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission.

NAGASUE, Eiichi, 40 Imakumano-Minamihiyoshicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kioto.

General Secretary of Japan Social Democratic Party of Kioto Area.
Lecturer at Doshisha University; President of the Nagasue Institute
of Public Opinion Research; Member of the Kioto Prefectural Assembly.

SAKAI, Kishiro, Shinmaruko Higashi 2-897, Kawasaki-shi.

Foreign News Editor, Tokyo Bureau of the Hokkaido Shimbun.

KOREA

LEE, Yong Hee, 145 3rd Ka, Myung Lyun Dong, Chongroku, Seoul.

Associate Professor, Seoul National University; Director of the
Department of International Relations.

NETHERLANDS

MEIER, Emil Rudolf, Johan Coussetstraat 1, Diemen, Holland.

In charge of the Educational Department of the Rijksmuseum,
Amsterdam.

PAKISTAN

BEG, Aziz, Editor, Star, 54 The Mall, Lahore.

Editor of the Star, a Pakistan weekly, Managing Director of Modern
Papers, Ltd.

OMAR, A. Mannon, Rabwah, Jhang District, West Pakistan.

Chairman, the Oriental and Religious Publishing Corporation, Ltd.
Has supervised translations of the Koran into English, German and
Dutch, and has codified "Musnad Ahmad-Bin-Hambal."

SHEIKH, Imaduddin Ahmed, 30A, Sindhi Muslim Housing Society, Karachi 3.

Adviser to the Constituent Assembly. Editor of Opinion, News-weekly,
Editor of Maghribi Pakistan, Urdu Daily.

PHILIPPINES

ARCINAS, Mrs. Fe Rodriguez, 104 Retiro, Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City.

Instructor in Sociology, University of the Philippines.

PADUA, Ceferino Padua, 2327 Leveriza, Pasay City.

Chief Legal Counsel, Social Welfare Administration. Professor of
Law and Liberal Arts, Francisco College.

SPAIN

FERNANDEZ, Ramon de Soignie, Avenida Del Valle 16, Madrid.

Student in the Diplomatic School, Madrid.

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- 5 -

<table>
  <tr>
    <td></td>
    <td>MALLO, Joaquin Lopez, 23 Zurbano, Madrid.<br>Studying to become a commercial adviser to the Government.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>SWITZERLAND</td>
    <td>METTLER, Eric, 77 Princes Way, London S.W. 19, England.<br>Chief London correspondent of the <u>Neue Zürcher Zeitung</u>.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TURKEY</td>
    <td>FEYZIOGLU, Turhan, Bahcolievler 27, Sok. 31, Ankara.<br>Professor of Administrative Law, University of Ankara.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>VIET-NAM</td>
    <td>KINH, Buu, 51 Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris 5.<br>Barrister. Formerly member of the Vietnamese delegation to the<br>Assembly of the French Union; Delegate of Viet Nam to the Bandung<br>Conference.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>YUGOSLAVIA</td>
    <td>IBLER, Vladimir, Svacicev trg 12, Zagreb.<br>Lecturer for International Public Law, Faculty of Law, University<br>of Zagreb.</td>
  </tr>
</table>

5, Meena Bagh
King Edward Road
New Delhi, India

December 30, 1955

My dear Kissinger,

Thanks for your letter of December 19. Arrangements for the Seminar are well in hand and another letter of mine, enclosed in this cover, suggests certain details of proposals.

You should have no hesitation in having the Seminar under the auspices of the Delhi School of Economics. It is a national institution and I have had the privilege of knowing the Director for over 15 years. As a purely academic and research institution and an autonomous School of Delhi University, it would be in keeping with Harvard's status to join hands with it no less than with the Indian Council of World Affairs. The I.C.W.A. is a fine organisation. Its initial response to my approach was however not encouraging, whereas the School's was, with prospects of some financial contribution from it and other facilities which the I.C.W.A. could not have offered. So I clinched it. Dr. Radhakrishnan approved of it; Naidu and Jain encouraged it and I have approached our External Affairs Ministry and prospective donors with Delhi School as the sponsoring institution.

I may also mention that the school has extremely cordial and regular relations with the Ford Foundation and runs regular orientation classes for the T.C.M., U.S.I.S. and other staff of the U.S. Embassy.

It is not proposed to pass any resolutions or come to any conclusions. Actually when we finalised our proposals on December 25, Dr. Rao did not recollect and was astonished that he ever suggested anything like resolutions and conclusions. We do not do that in any of our academic conferences. I had, of course, mentioned to Blum, with my dissent, about Rao initially suggesting resolutions, etc. The matter did not come up again at all.

There is also no intention of diluting the Seminar but rather of strengthening it by including about six persons of special distinction from countries covered by the Harvard Seminar. I thought Blum, Jain and Keene rather endorsed the idea when we once met at my house and so I proceeded on that basis. I hope, you will not consider six to be too many. I can assure you that this is not a device to exercise some influence on the programme.

From the subjects proposed for discussion, you will doubtless appreciate that there is no attempt to focus attention on India's problems. The canvass is much larger with emphasis on conditions in Asia and undeveloped regions in general, which I thought, was your idea also. With all this, I expect that the Seminar in Delhi will be conducted on much the same lines as at Harvard. I would have liked it to be different, if possible, but the capital cities of the world have fallen into a pattern of thinking.

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As for a participant from South Korea, while we agree that it is not a question of political probation or disapprobation, you will doubtless appreciate that in the absence of diplomatic relations with a country, we may not have the means of ensuring the attendance of a participant from it. I presume that a similar consideration would weigh with Harvard also.

Our lack of enthusiasm in our proposals for participants in humanities as such is due to the greater importance attached to practical present-day problems rather than to the philosophical. I recall mentioning to you that there would probably be no place for a humanities group in the Indian Seminar. This does not rule out some members of your humanities group fitting into our social and cultural problems group.

I hope our proposals will be acceptable to you in general. Should there be anything in it which may seem to indicate search for influence on our part, please attribute it to the feeling that our part may be more than providing a venue for the Seminar.

I have received your letter of December 5 and would give your forms to people whom I consider suitable for your purpose.

With best regards.

December 30, 1955

Dear Mr. Kissinger,

With regard to the proposal for holding an International Seminar in India, which I discussed with you last summer, I am glad to inform you that a meeting could be arranged in Delhi during the latter half of September, 1956.

The Delhi School of Economics, a national institution under the distinguished direction of Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., Director of the School, has agreed to sponsor the Seminar as a joint venture with the Harvard International Seminar. Dr. Rao is also Dean of the faculty of Social Sciences in the University of Delhi. I may add that I have discussed this matter with Dr. Radhakrishnan and it has received his blessing.

In consultation with Dr. Rao, I am detailing the following proposals to you in connection with the proposed seminar and would request you to send your confirmation of them with your comments and suggestions direct to him at the following address: Director, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi (India). This would place the Seminar on an institutional basis, and my association hereafter with its organisation will be on behalf of Dr. Rao and the School.

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(1) Title of the Seminar:

The Seminar may be known as "International Seminar 1956
under the joint auspices of Delhi School of Economics and Harvard
University;" or "Delhi School of Economics - Harvard University
International Seminar, 1956." The latter title will probably be
preferable.

(2) It will be held in Delhi from September 15 to October 2, 1956.

(3) It will be attended by 40 participants as under:

4 from India; about 20 from other Asian countries; about 12
from Europe and U.K.; and 4 from the U.S.A.

(4) Selection of participants:

The majority of the participants may be from among those
who have attended the Harvard International Seminar before. In
order to strengthen the Seminar, we suggest that about 6 participants
may be persons of special distinction and other than those who have
been to the Harvard Seminar. Dr. Rao will be glad to suggest names
from countries represented at Harvard and make the selection in
consultation with you. I trust this will be acceptable to you. For
the rest you may in the first instance select the best known to you
from among those who have attended your Seminar from Asia and Europe
and some from the U.S.A. You will probably wish to select a much
larger number than 40 to provide scope for selection and allow for
refusals and also make the list in proportion to the number to be
invited as indicated in para 3. I presume that your list will, for
obvious reasons include persons from countries with which India has
diplomatic relations. This is suggested because in the absence of
diplomatic relations it will not be possible to ensure attendance.

It is suggested also that the selection be confined to
persons with special interest and qualifications in Politics, Economics
and Social & Cultural problems and exclude those specialising in
humanities as such. I recollect mentioning to you that there may
not be much enthusiasm for a humanities group.

It is proposed that these be asked by you to state their
interest in and ability and willingness to attend the Seminar.
We would appreciate if a copy of the list (names and addresses only)
is furnished to us for record. Even though you have the information
about their status, interests etc., it may help to obtain up-to-date
information and save secretarial labour if persons whom you address
are asked to fill an application form (in duplicate) enclosed, with
a photo, and are furnished a copy of announcement of the Seminar
(enclosed). You may amend to improve both enclosures. The photo
is not absolutely essential, but it is likely to be helpful.

The selection of the requisite number of participants
could then be made from among those who indicate their willingness
and ability to attend. The selection will be made through mutual
consultation between you and Dr. Rao on the basis of information
contained in the application forms, one copy of which may be sent

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to us with photos and your recommendations, group wise, on order of merit.

After a selection is made, it is considered appropriate that invitations to attend be issued by the Indian sponsoring organisation viz. Delhi School of Economics subject to arrangements regarding transportation being handled by you.

In the U.S. group your attendance is considered essential and we hope you will come.

On receipt of firm acceptances and information about the date, number and office of issue of visas, you will be advised for transportation arrangements. Selected participants could be advised to inform you direct also.

(5) I am enclosing a suggested schedule for the various organisational stages and would appreciate your advice on it.

Please also advise in the light of your experience whether the number of participants invited should exceed 40, and if so, by how many, to provide for last minute cancellations.

(6) **Organisation of the Seminar:**

There will be 3, approximately equal groups, each under a Chairman.

(7) **Subjects for discussion:**

As indicated in the information sheet. Further sub-heads could be worked out later and suggestions for readings made.

(8) **Financial:**

Harvard International Seminar will pay the transportation expenses of all the participants from their homes to Delhi and back. Delhi School of Economics will provide board and lodging of the participants in a student's hostel or in any other suitable place for the duration of the Seminar and meet the costs of local transportation, Seminar service charges and other costs of the Seminar programme, except for a trip outside Delhi which may involve the participants in a share of expenses.

(9) **Transportation arrangements:**

As Harvard International Seminar will pay for transportation, it will be administratively convenient if transport arrangements such as bookings, issue of tickets up to and from Delhi, etc., are arranged by the H.I.S. through such agencies in the U.S. and India as may be convenient. We shall be glad to arrange the transportation of the Indian participants, to the extent necessary on Harvard's behalf. There is a branch of the American Express in New Delhi and Harvard's travel agents could perhaps establish arrangements with them for the return passage of the participants. It is desired that as many participants as possible reach Delhi at the same time.

(10) The organisation of the Seminar will be the responsibility of the Director, Delhi School of Economics, who will be the Director of the Seminar. He will arrange the programme of guest speakers and other academic and social programmes.

Kindly consider these proposals and confirm with your comments and suggestions to Dr. Rao to enable organisational arrangements to be progressed.

With best wishes for a happy new year.

Announcement:

DELHI SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS - HARVARD UNIVERSITY

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

September 15 - October 2, 1956

**Purpose of the Seminar:** The Seminar is being held under the joint auspices of Delhi School of Economics, Delhi, India, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. It is designed to provide an opportunity to participants to discuss the nature of present day problems. The 1956 session expects to invite 40 participants. Some of them will be from among those who have attended the International Seminar at Harvard University in past years. This is expected to enable participants with certain common experiences and previous acquaintance with one another to broaden themselves further through discussions in the background and environment of Indian conditions.

**Programme:** The Seminar will provide -

(i) Opportunities to participants to become acquainted with various aspects of Indian life through a programme of distinguished guestspeakers from various spheres of activity and through visits to institutions and centers of developmental activity and historical interest.

(ii) An organised programme of academic discussion on subjects of contemporary interest in three groups under the general supervision of faculty members. Each group is expected to hold about 8 meetings. It is proposed that one group will deal primarily with political problems; another with economic problems and the third with social and cultural issues, as specified below:

(a) **Political:** Problems connected with the establishment and working of political democracy in Asia.

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(b) **Economic**: Patterns and problems of Industrialisation of under-developed countries with particular reference to problems of decentralisation; Rural-Urban relations; small scale and cottage industries; and maintenance and development of private initiative in economic activity.

(c) **Social and Cultural**: Problems of social, psychological and cultural impacts of developed countries on undeveloped regions with special reference to the nature and means of communications between them.

Discussion of the above subjects will provide sufficient scope to allow participants to deal with them from the point of view of their special discipline or particular field of interest.

(iii) Opportunities to participants to address open forums on subjects of general interest with particular reference to their own countries.

**Qualifications:** Participants should have a good command of the English language and should have achieved eminence in a field of endeavour concerned with the problems proposed to be discussed.

**Stipend:** The Harvard International Seminar will assume all transportation expenses of the participants from their homes to Delhi and back. Delhi School of Economics will assume all expenses of board and lodging in a students hostel, local transportation and visits to institutions and other places of interest for the period of the Seminar. Expenses incurred in obtaining visas and on residence beyond the period of the seminar and correspondence in respect of the Seminar will be borne by participants themselves. No responsibility for obtaining visas will be taken either by the Delhi School of Economics or the Harvard International Seminar.

**General:** All correspondence in respect of the Seminar, other than transportation arrangements from their homes to Delhi and back, should be addressed to the Director, International Seminar, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi. Correspondence in regard to transportation should be addressed to the Executive Director, Harvard International Seminar, Harvard University, 10 Weld Hall, Cambridge 38, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

A general information sheet on climatic conditions in India in September/October, selected travel itineraries, costs of travel, hotel accommodation, essential personal kit etc will be provided to participants before their departure from their homes.

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International Seminar

1956

## Application

(Please print all answers in English)

1. Name: Mr/Miss/Mrs (last) (first) (second)

2. Address: Postal: .................................... Telegraphic: ....................

3. Date of birth: .................... Place: ....................

4. Citizenship: .................... Passport: .................... (number, place, date and office of issue)

5. Present occupation (Please indicate the institution or organisation where employed, position and nature of duties)

6. Academic qualifications and honours:

Qualifications College & University attended Honours

7. Field of specialisation: ....................

8. List of publications: ....................

9. Indicate specific topic or project in which interested for the purposes of the Seminar: ....................

10. Check group in which you would wish to participate:

Political .................... Economic .................... Social & Cultural ....................

Please return this form properly filled in duplicate, with a recent photograph of yourself, to the Executive Director, International Seminar, Harvard University, 10 Weld Hall, Cambridge 38, Mass., U.S.A.

Signature

["Signature", "Seminar, Harvard University, 10 May 1978, p. 38, p. 127, p. 128, p. 129, p. 130, p. 131, p. 132, p. 133, p. 134, p. 135, p. 136, p. 137, p. 138, p. 139, p. 140, p. 141, p. 142, p. 143, p. 144, p. 145, p. 146, p. 147, p. 148, p. 149, p. 150, p. 151, p. 152, p. 153, p. 154, p. 155, p. 156, p. 157, p. 158, p. 159, p. 160, p. 161, p. 162, p. 163, p. 164, p. 165, p. 166, p. 167, p. 168, p. 169, p. 170, p. 171, p. 172, p. 173, p. 174, p. 175, p. 176, p. 177, p. 178, p. 179, p. 180, p. 181, p. 182, p. 183, p. 184, p. 185, p. 186, p. 187, p. 188, p. 189, p. 190, p. 191, p. 192, p. 193, p. 194, p. 195, p. 196, p. 197, p. 198, p. 199, p. 200, p. 201, p. 202, p. 203, p. 204, p. 205, p. 206, p. 207, p. 208, p. 209, p. 210, p. 211, p. 212, p. 213, p. 214, p. 215, p. 216, p. 217, p. 218, p. 219, p. 220, p. 221, p. 222, p. 223, p. 224, p. 225, p. 226, p. 227, p. 228, p. 229, p. 230, p. 231, p. 232, p. 233, p. 234, p. 235, p. 236, p. 237, p. 238, p. 239, p. 240, p. 241, p. 242, p. 243, p. 244, p. 245, p. 246, p. 247, p. 248, p. 249, p. 250, p. 251, p. 252, p. 253, p. 254, p. 255, p. 256, p. 257, p. 258, p. 259, p. 260, p. 261, p. 262, p. 263, p. 264, p. 265, p. 266, p. 267, p. 268, p. 269, p. 270, p. 271, p. 272, p. 273, p. 274, p. 275, p. 276, p. 277, p. 278, p. 279, p. 280, p. 281, p. 282, p. 283, p. 284, p. 285, p. 286, p. 287, p. 288, p. 289, p. 290, p. 291, p. 292, p. 293, p. 294, p. 295, p. 296, p. 297, p. 298, p. 299, p. 300, p. 301, p. 302, p. 303, p. 304, p. 305, p. 306, p. 307, p. 308, p. 309, p. 310, p. 311, p. 312, p. 313, p. 314, p. 315, p. 316, p. 317, p. 318, p. 319, p. 320, p. 321, p. 322, p. 323, p. 324, p. 325, p. 326, p. 327, p. 328, p. 329, p. 330, p. 331, p. 332, p. 333, p. 334, p. 335, p. 336, p. 337, p. 338, p. 339, p. 340, p. 341, p. 342, p. 343, p. 344, p. 345, p. 346, p. 347, p. 348, p. 349, p. 350, p. 351, p. 352, p. 353, p. 354, p. 355, p. 356, p. 357, p. 358, p. 359, p. 360, p. 361, p. 362, p. 363, p. 364, p. 365, p. 366, p. 367, p. 368, p. 369, p. 370, p. 371, p. 372, p. 373, p. 374, p. 375, p. 376, p. 377, p. 378, p. 379, p. 380, p. 381, p. 382, p. 383, p. 384, p. 385, p. 386, p. 387, p. 388, p. 389, p. 390, p. 391, p. 392, p. 393, p. 394, p. 395, p. 396, p. 397, p. 398, p. 399, p. 400, p. 401, p. 402, p. 403, p. 404, p. 405, p. 406, p. 407, p. 408, p. 409, p. 410, p. 411, p. 412, p. 413, p. 414, p. 415, p. 416, p. 417, p. 418, p. 419, p. 420, p. 421, p. 422, p. 423, p. 424, p. 425, p. 426, p. 427, p. 428, p. 429, p. 430, p. 431, p. 432, p. 433, p. 434, p. 435, p. 436, p. 437, p. 438, p. 439, p. 440, p. 441, p. 442, p. 443, p. 444, p. 445, p. 446, p. 447, p. 448, p. 449, p. 450, p. 451, p. 452, p. 453, p. 454, p. 455, p. 456, p. 457, p. 458, p. 459, p. 460, p. 461, p. 462, p. 463, p. 464, p. 465, p. 466, p. 467, p. 468, p. 469, p. 470, p. 471, p. 472, p. 473, p. 474, p. 475, p. 476, p. 477, p. 478, p. 479, p. 480, p. 481, p. 482, p. 483, p. 484, p. 485, p. 486, p. 487, p. 488, p. 489, p. 490, p. 491, p. 492, p. 493, p. 494, p. 495, p. 496, p. 497, p. 498, p. 499, p. 500, p. 501, p. 502, p. 503, p. 504, p. 505, p. 506, p. 507, p. 508, p. 509, p. 510, p. 511, p. 512, p. 513, p. 514, p. 515, p. 516, p. 517, p. 518, p. 519, p. 520, p. 521, p. 522, p. 523, p. 524, p. 525, p. 526, p. 527, p. 528, p. 529, p. 530, p. 531, p. 532, p. 533, p. 534, p. 535, p. 536, p. 537, p. 538, p. 539, p. 540, p. 541, p. 542, p. 543, p. 544, p. 545, p. 546, p. 547, p. 548, p. 549, p. 550, p. 551, p. 552, p. 553, p. 554, p. 555, p. 556, p. 557, p. 558, p. 559, p. 560, p. 561, p. 562, p. 563, p. 564, p. 565, p. 566, p. 567, p. 568, p. 569, p. 570, p. 571, p. 572, p. 573, p. 574, p. 575, p. 576, p. 577, p. 578, p. 579, p. 580, p. 581, p. 582, p. 583, p. 584, p. 585, p. 586, p. 587, p. 588, p. 589, p. 590, p. 591, p. 592, p. 593, p. 594, p. 595, p. 596, p. 597, p. 598, p. 599, p. 600, p. 601, p. 602, p. 603, p. 604, p. 605, p. 606, p. 607, p. 608, p. 609, p. 610, p. 611, p. 612, p. 613, p. 614, p. 615, p. 616, p. 617, p. 618, p. 619, p. 620, p. 621, p. 622, p. 623, p. 624, p. 625, p. 626, p. 627, p. 628, p. 629, p. 630, p. 631, p. 632, p. 633, p. 634, p. 635, p. 636, p. 637, p. 638, p. 639, p. 640, p. 641, p. 642, p. 643, p. 644, p. 645, p. 646, p. 647, p. 648, p. 649, p. 650, p. 651, p. 652, p. 653, p. 654, p. 655, p. 656, p. 657, p. 658, p. 659, p. 660, p. 661, p. 662, p. 663, p. 664, p. 665, p. 666, p. 667, p. 668, p. 669, p. 670, p. 671, p. 672, p. 673, p. 674, p. 675, p. 676, p. 677, p. 678, p. 679, p. 680, p. 681, p. 682, p. 683, p. 684, p. 685, p. 686, p. 687, p. 688, p. 689, p. 690, p. 691, p. 692, p. 693, p. 694, p. 695, p. 696, p. 697, p. 698, p. 699, p. 700, p. 701, p. 702, p. 703, p. 704, p. 705, p. 706, p. 707, p. 708, p. 709, p. 710, p. 711, p. 712, p. 713, p. 714, p. 715, p. 716, p. 717, p. 718, p. 719, p. 720, p. 721, p. 722, p. 723, p. 724, p. 725, p. 726, p. 727, p. 728, p. 729, p. 730, p. 731, p. 732, p. 733, p. 734, p. 735, p. 736, p. 737, p. 738, p. 739, p. 740, p. 741, p. 742, p. 743, p. 744, p. 745, p. 746, p. 747, p. 748, p. 749, p. 750, p. 751, p. 752, p. 753, p. 754, p. 755, p. 756, p. 757, p. 758, p. 759, p. 760, p. 761, p. 762, p. 763, p. 764, p. 765, p. 766, p. 767, p. 768, p. 769, p. 770, p. 771, p. 772, p. 773, p. 774, p. 775, p. 776, p. 777, p. 778, p. 779, p. 780, p. 781, p. 782, p. 783, p. 784, p. 785, p. 786, p. 787, p. 788, p. 789, p. 790, p. 791, p. 792, p. 793, p. 794, p. 795, p. 796, p. 797, p. 798, p. 799, p. 800, p. 801, p. 802, p. 803, p. 804, p. 805, p. 806, p. 807, p. 808, p. 809, p. 810, p. 811, p. 812, p. 813, p. 814, p. 815, p. 816, p. 817, p. 818, p. 819, p. 820, p. 821, p. 822, p. 823, p. 824, p. 825, p. 826, p. 827, p. 828, p. 829, p. 830, p. 831, p. 832, p. 833, p. 834, p. 835, p. 836, p. 837, p. 838, p. 839, p. 840, p. 841, p. 842, p. 843, p. 844, p. 845, p. 846, p. 847, p. 848, p. 849, p. 850, p. 851, p. 852, p. 853, p. 854, p. 855, p. 856, p. 857, p. 858, p. 859, p. 860, p. 861, p. 862, p. 863, p. 864, p. 865, p. 866, p. 867, p. 868, p. 869, p. 870, p. 871, p. 872, p. 873, p. 874, p. 875, p. 876, p. 877, p. 878, p. 879, p. 880, p. 881, p. 882, p. 883, p. 884, p. 885, p. 886, p. 887, p. 888, p. 889, p. 890, p. 891, p. 892, p. 893, p. 894, p. 895, p. 896, p. 897, p. 898, p. 899, p. 900, p. 901, p. 902, p. 903, p. 904, p. 905, p. 906, p. 907, p. 908, p. 909, p. 910, p. 911, p. 912, p. 913, p. 914, p. 915, p. 916, p. 917, p. 918, p. 919, p. 920, p. 921, p. 922, p. 923, p. 924, p. 925, p. 926, p. 927, p. 92

[Lc]

- 8 -

Schedule of progress of arrangements

for the Seminar

<table><tr><td>January 25, 1956</td><td>Receipt from Harvard of confirmation of proposals regarding the Seminar</td></tr><tr><td>March 15</td><td>Applications to be received at Cambridge</td></tr><tr><td>April 5</td><td>Copies of applications with photos and recommendations on order of merit group wise may be received in Delhi from Cambridge</td></tr><tr><td>April 20</td><td>Selection of participants made and Harvard informed</td></tr><tr><td>May 10</td><td>Issue of firm invitations from Delhi to selected participants, on receipt of further advice, if any, from Harvard</td></tr><tr><td>June 10</td><td>Receipt of firm acceptances in Delhi</td></tr><tr><td>June 25</td><td>Intimation to Harvard re: firm acceptances received and date, number and office of issue of visas to participants</td></tr><tr><td>August 31</td><td>Transportation arrangements to be completed by Harvard International Seminar</td></tr><tr><td>September 14</td><td>Arrival of participants in Delhi</td></tr><tr><td>September 16 (Sunday)</td><td>Inauguration of the Seminar</td></tr><tr><td>October 2</td><td>Farewell</td></tr></table>

13 November 1956

Atlantic City
New Jersey, U.S.A.

Dear Friend,

The U.S. Presidential Election is over and the country is in a mood of relaxation, though the problems in Egypt and Hungary are causing grave concern here as the do elsewhere. In fact, the tragic developments in these countries, taking place in the final pre-election week, naturally took out some of the tempo and excitement from the Election Campaign and diverted peoples' attention. Peoples' feelings in regard to Hungary continue to be high. As is usual, in the first days of post-election period, people and every newspaper and periodical now discuss the results of the Election. Feelings with many are that the victory is for Eisenhower and not for the Republican Party. His great personal popularity and the country's present economic prosperity are believed to be the main reasons of his success. But it is not regarded as a very happy prospect for the President to work with a Congress and a Senate where the Democrats have majorities. In the two months prior to the election I had opportunities to visit campaign offices of both parties in various parts of the country and to see the different aspects of campaign work. And in New York, where I was on the election day, I visited several polling stations and saw people vote and the process of voting and the counting of the votes and their tabulation and announcement of results etc. I was much struck by the interest of the people in election and political matters and their sporting spirit in this whole matter of choosing a new government and freedom from deme etc. Needless to say, the roots of democracy are very deep indeed in America and the people have the capacity to accept political defects with good humour. It amused me to see sometimes people arguing in buses and streets and restaurants, making it more lively with jokes and taunts, on the merits and demerits of both parties.

I have seen more evidence of interest in India on the part of people here. With many there is real a warmth of feeling and affection for India. Yet with most it is a difficult matter to understand fully India's approach to relations with other countries. One thing is that few have the necessary time or opportunities to have a proper background of India's basic approach. Of course, the same would also be true of other countries and their peoples in respect of their external relations. But many of the newspapers here and their reporters abroad also seem to miss some of the basic considerations in regard to India's foreign policy though they are never unfriendly. India's position in regard to the tragic happenings in Hungary is misunderstood by many. And it is little known that India is totally opposed to domination of one country by another, whether it is Communist or non-Communist, and aggression of any kind. But I do not think this will affect the general American-Indian relations. On the contrary, I feel there will be increasing opportunities in future for both countries to cooperate and work together in the international sphere for peace and human welfare. The increasing mutual exchange of visitors, students etc. and of information, publications, etc. should also help in strengthening the bonds between the two countries. The extent of things that are common between them is much greater than commonly believed or understood. The Americans are great in many spheres and have achieved many great things. Yet they are a little child-like. "Americans want to be liked by everybody and everywhere," said an American friend recently. This delights me as their qualities in various spheres of life impress me.

America today has achieved an economic well-being and prosperity as never before in her own history or in the history of the world. It will be true to say

-2-

that America has established poverty. Almost every family has a motor car, many have two or three, and other amenities like washing machine, radios and television set etc. Increasingly, families are having their own homes, and living conditions are mostly very good. People are well-fed and well-dressed and have increasing opportunities of higher education and employment. In fact, in some spheres of employment, such as, engineers, clerks, drivers and waiters, there are many more posts than people available to fill them. At present, about 72 million people, out of a population of 160 million are employed. Unemployment is small, and sometimes seasonal. But the unemployed receives adequate unemployment insurance benefits from the Government and sometimes also from the employer, so he does not suffer much economically. The wages generally are very high and the people doing general work earn much more than those in professions etc. The cost of living is, of course, also very high, especially services. And most people cannot save. On the contrary, they buy things such as car, a house, and even a trip abroad, on credit. The cost is paid in installments through a bank. In fact a greater part of U.S. business is on credit. Some people are critical of this and of the fact that "most Americans live in debt." But this seems to be working alright and in spite of their "debts," the people here of the lowest income group have amenities of life which many people of higher income group in Asian countries do not have. What is the secret of America's prosperity? Of course there was the untapped vast natural resources and an adventurous people to develop them. A business man in Boston, in answer to this question of mine at a meeting, said "You create desires in peoples' minds and then produce goods to fulfil them." That is exactly what is happening today here. Always new things are in demand to replace the old one. Of course, it sometimes happens, as a Church Minister once told a meeting here which I attended, that "people fall into a circle of high production and high consumption and have little time to live!" And it may also be that the increased automation and fast pace of living create some problems. But I do not think any of these things are going to be widespread or lasting or the deeper values of life lost. American society is still very dynamic and evolving, and I think a somewhat new civilisation is in the process of making here. Some difficulty and conflict are bound to occur in a society, especially in its growing stage.

Since I wrote my last journal letter late September, I have travelled over 10,000 miles by bus and train and plane across the U.S.A. These journeys, especially the bus journeys, enabled me to see many new parts of the country and to meet interesting people while travelling. People have been most kind and friendly to me. Many come up to me and talk to me and "wanted to shake my hands." Several people spoke to me in Spanish, thinking that I was from South America. The U.S.A. is a land of considerable contrast, from the point of view of climate, race and temperament of the people. The east and northeast is wet, warm in summer and very cold in winter and have large centres of industry and commerce. The mid-west, that is the central north, is the crop producing and dairy and vegetable farming area. Then comes the mountains, the Rockies and other ranges, and the Continental Divide. The west is more temperate less cold in winter. The south west is dry and flat, like some parts of north west India, and have desert areas--and much warmer. Further south is still warmer and parts of it has tropical climate. People from different countries of Europe in the past 200 hundred years came and settled here in the different regions of the country. In some places the different ethnic groups have a greater concentration and thus they have retained some of the special characteristics of their culture. People in the East and North East have more of Anglo-Saxon influence and speak differently than others. But on the whole it is a great mixture, a melting pot, a large concourse of humanity bound by the common bonds of nationality and language and culture.