China After Mao

To the Editors:

I admired Theodore H. White's frankness and vividness in describing the events in China both present and past [Sept. 26]. I am of Taiwanese background and was reared on propaganda against China. After I came to the U.S., I perceived the difference between reality and hyperbole. Nevertheless, the pride of Taiwan equals the pride of mainland China. Taiwan should be left alone.

Amy Lai

Amherst, Ohio

White's extraordinary article on China is like the exquisite Oriental vases I often associate with that country: massive, colorful, delicate yet powerfully poignant.

Jacqueline Scapin

Paris

The report on China was fascinating. It is obvious that America and the world cannot ignore this "sleeping giant."

Scott Golding

Austin

The Cultural Revolution and Mao's earlier blunders were not China's whole revolutionary experience, as White seems to suggest. Nor should the downfall of the Gang of Four be interpreted to mean that the revolution has burned out. And further, it is wrong to imply that an industrialized China may not work to the world's good. Have we no ideas for working in harmony with developing economies? Anyone who has properly analyzed recent changes inside China must conclude that its socialist system is there to stay. China has developed into a state ordered by Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thought. Please do not try to sell China to the American people by suggesting otherwise.

Robin A. Ball

Leeds, England

Kudos to Theodore White for his touching yet analytical portrait of China in transition. I recently returned from a visit to the homeland that I had never seen. Although its proliferating population remains China's greatest obstacle to modernization, I agree with White that human envy and appetite are potentially equally dangerous perils. While walking down a bustling Shanghai boulevard, I encountered a swarm of people surrounding a street merchant. What was the object of everyone's smiling fascination? A Rubik's Cube.

The Chinese people have followed an austere life-style for so long that their desire for such items is hardly a surprise. Yet if Deng Xiaoping is to succeed in his Four Modernizations, he may have to suppress consumerism. The task of industrial progress will require that China's limited exchange be spent wisely. Rubik's Cubes, and similar products, may be the wrench in the cogs of China's revitalization.

Peter C. Ho

New Haven, Conn.

White's article presents Mao as a devilish dictator who would kill millions to enhance his power. Mao is worse. He is in the same class as Hitler. The Chinese would be wise to scrap his thoughts entirely if they wish to achieve peace and move ahead economically. The U.S., on the other hand, would benefit from helping China to modernize. When China's economic standards reach those of the West, there is a chance that the Chinese may discard the Communist system and become a major force in the free world.

Owen M. Lin

Alhambra, Calif.

West German Activists

I want to respond to the West German who protested the deployment of U.S. missiles abroad [Sept. 26] by saying "We want to liberate ourselves." I am all for that. It is time the West Germans foot the bill for their own defense and quit draining the American economy. We have spent billions of dollars giving them "protection" they apparently do not want.

John C. Smolinski

Grand Canyon, Ariz.

The Reagan Administration's loose talk about winnable, limited nuclear war has set the stage for deteriorating relations with West Germany. Behind the West Germans' "antimissile" protest lie widespread distrust and resentment. The U.S. must reassess and reshape its alliance with its German ally.

Paul Monaco Dallas

Whose Abortion?

Your story on men and their desire to be involved in their partners' decision to have abortions [Sept. 26] is ludicrous. In the old days, when a woman found herself with an unwanted pregnancy, the attitude was "It's her problem!" followed usually with a "Heh, heh, heh!" Now that women have an alternative, men suddenly want to have a say.

Judith Schumacher

Columbus, Ohio

I was saddened to read the comments of Louise Tyrer of Planned Parenthood against men's having a say in a woman's decision to abort a pregnancy. Tyrer has confused male involvement with male control. After counseling nearly 2,500 men whose partners were abortion patients, I found that the vast majority do not want to take away their wives' or lovers' power to decide the future of a pregnancy, but instead want recognition and respect as concerned partners.

Peter Zelles

Director, Men's Counseling Program

Midwest Health Center for Women

Minneapolis

If more men were encouraged to participate in counseling with their partners, there would be more advocates for better and safer contraceptives, ideally for men, and wiser family planning.

Pamela McDermott

Flagler Beach, Fla.

The conclusion of your abortion article is absurd. It does take two to make a pregnancy. But contrary to the view you present, both parties are not necessarily involved with the result. The male, who does not become pregnant, has many choices and may choose to walk away from the situation. Obviously a woman cannot. Men should never be in on the decision to have an abortion; that should always be the prerogative of the woman.

Martha Clayton

Skeeters Norman, Okla.

Saving Baby Doe

The refusal of parents and doctors to treat severely handicapped babies [Sept. 26] is morally wrong. In spite of their physical or mental retardation, abnormal infants possess a God-given right to live. The intrinsic moral worth, dignity and value of these children should be respected.

Haven Bradford Gow

Arlington Heights, Ill.

Doctors who protest the intrusiveness of the federal Baby Doe rule, which forbids withholding treatment or nourishment from badly handicapped infants, are hypocritical. These same physicians do not complain about the intrusiveness of the Government when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Sandy A. White

Annandale, Va. This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.