Chronology Entry
Year
1962.11.09
Text
Letter from Bertrand Russell to Jawaharlal Nehru. Plas Penrhyn, 9. Nov. 1962.
Dear Mr. Nehru, Our recent correspondence concerning our mutual hopes for peace in this dangerous world makes me conscious that in this time of trial for India you will with for her friends to be visible and outspoken. A count myself as a life-time friend of India and an admirer of your own efforts for peace. It is out of such feelings that I write to you now.
The tragic deterioration of relations between India and China holds the most grave forebodings as I am sure you are deeply aware. I feel a sense of urgency because the general outbreak of fullscale war between India and China can not but lead to a world conflagration. I know and painfully understand the difficult choices you face. Events, however, should they advance further in this direction, will permit no return. Should this occur India's vital interests will not be served but irrevocably harmed. Should China be expansionist to the point of wishing such a conflict, every step should be taken to make such policy difficult to sustain. Should she be uncertain as to whether her claims out to be pressed at such cost and danger, every possibility of permitting this consciousness to reach the level of policy should be pursued. I feel that the offer of Chou En-Lai for cease-fire, even if at terms which entail sacrifice, should be accepted if only to enable talks to begin and fighting to cease… Should Chou En-Lai become so unreasoning as to discard any willingness to end fighting what can be in store other than great war between one-third of the world's people ? We know that general nuclear war will be soon upon us if this takes place…
Dear Mr. Nehru, Our recent correspondence concerning our mutual hopes for peace in this dangerous world makes me conscious that in this time of trial for India you will with for her friends to be visible and outspoken. A count myself as a life-time friend of India and an admirer of your own efforts for peace. It is out of such feelings that I write to you now.
The tragic deterioration of relations between India and China holds the most grave forebodings as I am sure you are deeply aware. I feel a sense of urgency because the general outbreak of fullscale war between India and China can not but lead to a world conflagration. I know and painfully understand the difficult choices you face. Events, however, should they advance further in this direction, will permit no return. Should this occur India's vital interests will not be served but irrevocably harmed. Should China be expansionist to the point of wishing such a conflict, every step should be taken to make such policy difficult to sustain. Should she be uncertain as to whether her claims out to be pressed at such cost and danger, every possibility of permitting this consciousness to reach the level of policy should be pursued. I feel that the offer of Chou En-Lai for cease-fire, even if at terms which entail sacrifice, should be accepted if only to enable talks to begin and fighting to cease… Should Chou En-Lai become so unreasoning as to discard any willingness to end fighting what can be in store other than great war between one-third of the world's people ? We know that general nuclear war will be soon upon us if this takes place…
Mentioned People (1)
Russell, Bertrand
(Trelleck, Monmouthsire 1872-1970 Plas Penrhyn bei Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales) : Philosoph, Logistiker, Mathematiker, Literaturnobelpreisträger ; Dozent Cambridge, Oxford, London, Harvard University, Chicago, Los Angeles, Beijing
Subjects
Philosophy : Europe : Great Britain
Documents (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1884-1970 |
Russell, Bertrand. The selected letters of Bertrand Russell. Ed. by Nicholas Griffin. Vol. 1-2. (London : Allen Lane, 1992-2001). Vol. 1 : The private years, 1884-1914. Vol. 2 : The public years, 1914-1970. |
Publication / Russ36 |
|