Letters: Nanjing, Nagasaki, past and present

Nanjing, Nagasaki, past and present

The juxtaposition of two articles on the Far East, one on Nanjing, past and present (“A Spirit of Trial and Triumph” by David Kelly), the other on the history of Nagasaki (“A New Life in a New Era” by Andrew Bender), brings to mind a Robert Burns poem wherein he observes, “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.”

The Rape of Nanking, as Nanjing was once called, by the Japanese army in 1937 after that country invaded China, resulted in 300,000 Chinese being slaughtered in a six-week orgy of unimagined violence. In Nagasaki eight years later, an atomic bomb fell on the city of 240,000, bringing World War II to a close. The bomb, nicknamed “Fat Man” by U.S. forces, exploded above ground, instantly killing tens of thousands of Japanese.

Although both cities have been rebuilt and are thriving, one cannot forget the poet’s lament.

Dan Anzel

Los Angeles

What happened at Nanjing should be a lesson for all people and not just Japanese people. In fact, many Japanese opposed violence and war and have worked to support reparations for “comfort women” and Chinese slave laborers used by the Japanese military during World War II. It is the government that has not really acknowledged these crimes against humanity.

As the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki approaches, Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, marking the first times atomic bombs were used, immediately killing more than 100,000 civilians (tens of thousands died later from radiation), we all have an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ending all wars.

Kathy Masaoka

Los Angeles

I enjoyed Andrew Bender’s article about Nagasaki. Not mentioned is that it is also the setting for Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly.” It is claimed that the story is based on facts.

Norman Chapman

Calabasas

Bravo to The Times for finally giving this armchair traveler a chance to dream. Your June 9 edition featured brilliant pieces on China, Japan and Myanmar. For those of us who’ve lived in Southern California for many years, the last thing we need is another travel story about Las Vegas, Palm Springs or the wine country. Been there, done that. More adventure ... please.

H.H. Hailey

Los Angeles

Handy cellphone solution

Regarding “Mobile Strategy” (On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, June 16): My husband and I spent more than three weeks in Germany last year. Having a rather limited cellphone contract with AT&T;, we scouted for a more reasonable alternative. The solution: We bought a used cellphone (they are available from simple to more tech savvy) at stores specializing in recycling cells (called “handies” in Germany); we also bought an initial upload of minutes worth 50 euros and could call home to California as well as within Europe. It took about 30 minutes to complete the transaction. Should you run out of minutes, it is easy to buy more, available in a variety of stores.

When you leave Germany, this “handy” cannot be used in the U.S., but given that we spent only $100, it was well worth it.

Astrid and Kurt Grey

Indian Wells, Calif.