Mayor Bradley on South Africa

I wish to make the following comments regarding your recent editorials on apartheid.

South Africa does not deserve the help, aid and assistance of any moral, civilized and humane agency; and certainly not from such respected international quarters as America and its corporate investors.

That country is an undisputed outlaw among nations because it steadfastly refuses to extend the most fundamental human rights to more than 95% of its inhabitants. Indeed, it has legislated black people into classifications that reduce them to non-persons, without citizenship in South Africa, their own land, and relegates them to but one purpose: to promote the economic interest and comfort of the ruling minority.

Black men, women and children have apparently decided to die rather than endure continued indignities. History proves that determination to be a consuming fire that cannot be doused. For them victory is just a matter of time.

But for us time is running out. If America is to maintain a position of respect and credibility among all peoples of the world, it must choose the right side. The first choice is in removing all support from racist South Africa. To the extent that we help them build a strong system through investments and tolerance, we help to perpetuate their kind of slavery. As was true in our case, they will never give it up without force.

Economic sanctions should be tried first, before the sheer power of black numbers conflagrate out of misery, frustration and anger!

BILLY G. MILLS

Los Angeles