488
Mrs. Trilling's language: the Rus–
sians were "helping the Hungari–
ans to resist Fascist aggression."
This was rightly regarded as loath–
some hypocrisy on the part of the
Russians. On what grounds should
equivalent American language on
Vietnam be regarded in any other
light?
The answer to this question could
not
be
simpler: on the grounds of
verifiable truth. Myself, I have no
recollection that the actions of the
Soviet Union in Hungary were
ever justified as resistance to
Fascist aggression, but it may be
they were: in the
Daily Worker
or some such place--in which
LETTERS
case the justification was palpa–
bly "loathsome hypocrisy" because
there was no shred pf truth
in
it
If,
in the face of all the contra–
dicting evidence, Mr. O'Brien is
convinced that the Communist ef–
fort
in
Vietnam is wholly indigen–
ous, without support from the
Communist powers, it is of course
his privilege to say so. But what
I think calls for note, especially in
our present period of acute re–
sponse to political and cultural ugli–
ness and violence, is Mr. O'Brien's
characterization of my view and
language. The charge of "loathsome
hypocrisy" is not to be taken lightly.
Diana Trilling
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