Evening star., 1947-07-13

clear to every one in China-and IN
can support is forthcoming, his b
overwhelmed in the next few months
The American Governments atti'
tude toward China is considered bS
those who attempt to read the fu'
ture as one of the major errors II
has committed since the end OF the
war.
Now. when high-ranking Army
and Navy officers and many civilian
oficials insist that the possibility Of
war with Russia should not be ruled
out. China assumes top strategic i'm
portance for Americas national de-
fense. In fact, 1t is considered al
Americas first line Of defense in the
Pacific.
European-Minded
Until a few weeks ago it was not
In good form to doubt Moscow
good intentions and raise the posi-
bility of a Soviet aggression against
the United States. Many vital re-
ports on Soviet activities in Western
and Northwestern Siberia were
salted away without ever seeing the
light of day, lest the American peo-
pie become alarmed about Russia.
Reports that Russian submarines
were spying on American naval
exercises in the Pacific were desig-
mated top secret by responsible
American authorities. So were the
reports of feverish military activ-
tiles of the Red armies in the area
facing Alaska and Japan. The
same was true Of news that the
Russians were establishing i'm
portant military airflelds in the
same area.
There have been no indiscretions
in official quarters about the as
founding progress Of construction
of railways and other communica-
tions throughout Siberia. But all
this information, which exists in the
files of responsible Government de-
partments, adds up to but one thing
Such activities on the part Of Mos
COW leaders are inexplicable unless
they harbor hostile intentions with
respect to Alaska and Northwestern
Canada.
This possibility-distasteful as it
is-should not be hidden from the
American public. But the long ira
dition of excluding the American
public from its Governments con-
fidence in matters of foreign affairs
still stands today, as it did In pre-
Pearl Harbor days.
Proved Loyalty 3r->--
1t is admitted in military quar-
ters-although not in the State De-
partment - that a strong China
friendly to the United States, woulc
be an effective deterrent to Russia.
plans In the Pacific area. The
American people are European.
minded right now because the Gov
eminent, the press and the radio
place great emphasis on that part
of the world, rather than on the
Far East. Americans are tradition.
ally minded and went tt
war twice to save that continent
The Far East is regarded as hope.
less and relatively ,lnimportant.
In it's early stages the last wal
created the fear that American ter.
ritory could be invaded by the Ger.
mans, either from Britain-if Il
fell-or from North Africa. The
blow came, however, from the only
other major Pacific power-Japan
Today the U. s. S. r. is only 8
stones throw from Alaska, one o.
the weakest spots in the American
armor. 1t is admitted in Washing
ton military quarters that little has
been done to fortify Alaska ano
the chances of adding to its defenses
right now are limited. Yet it Is
admitted in the same quarters thai
If q hostile power were to establish
itself in that area, the security OF
the West Coast would be seriously
jeopardized.
The attention of the American
public Is focused on the Balkans
France, italy and Germany. W.
are now considering spending bill
lions of dollars to rehabilitate
Europe, in the belief that this will
assure our own safety. Yet no one
speaks seriously Of Strengthening
our position in the Far East.
Rejected Jap Offer
Since the end of 1914 there has
been much talk about the corrup-
ton of the Chinese government and
the dictatorial powers Of Gen
Chang. From the State Depart
ment came inspiration for the
charge that China is rotten to the
core, as are the leaders of the
National government.
It may be true that the top mer
In China, such as T. v. Soong and
the Kung brothers, are no model
of honesty. 1t is equally true that
Gen. Chang Is a dictator, less SO
however, than Prime Minister Stain
or Marshal Tito and certainly more
friendly to America than to any
other western power.
But Gen. Chang and his cor
rupt government have given ample
proofs of loyalty to the United
States. The fact is seldom men,
toned that. Gen. Chang rejected
Premier Tojo's offer of an honor
able peace. shortly after Pearl Har.
Dor ana after the japanese had
conq6ered Singapore, Malaga ano
the Philippines.
According to information only nov
coming out. the Japanese offered tt
recognize Gen. Chang as the su-
preme leader Of China and tolo
81. 49, kh> &~,@ aa,,~<ri.s xx,os,te