Evening star., 1947-12-21


Since the Truman doctrine was
announced last March IL it has
been decided that the United States
will assist primarily with economic
means" all those European nations
which are determined to maintain
their national sovereignty against
the efforts of minorities which are
serving as spearheads for alien
forces.
President Truman reiterated this
foreign policy last Sunday when, in
q 1O0-word statement, he promised
aid to the Italian people if their
freedom or independence were
threatened.
Influence on Congress
This policy means that the United
States is ready to assist the coun-
tries which are resisting Communist
domination of their own volition.
In fact, the administration is ready
to help all those governments in
Europe which rid themselves of sub
versive Communist elements.
France and Italy-where Moscow
had voice in administration
through Communist Party leaders
in responsible ministerial positions
have rid themselves of these
saboteurs of their sovereignty. With
difficulty, it is true, but rid none
theleSs.
No Communist holds cabinet Office
In any Western European country.
This fact has induced Congress to
hasten President Truman's request
for stopgap assistance to France,
Italy and Austria and, in all prob
ability, will facilitate passage of the
Marshall plan itself, involving ap-
proximately $4,000, 100000, in the
next session.
While the administration is will
ing to assist the non-Communist
governments in Europe, its policy in
regard to China is just the opposite
This is in spite of the fact that
China is considered, from the eco
nomic and military point of view
at least as important as Europe.
The State Department is opposed
TO any relief or assistance to the
Chinese Republic unless its govern
ment is broadened by the inclusion
of Communists.
The Chinese government is tot
tering, not because of its ineffi-
cheney, but on account of being de-
prived of the means of fighting the
civil war imposed on it by the Mos
w-dominated Communists.
Vicious Circle in China
Charges of corruption against
Gen. Chiangs administration have
been loud ever since the days when
we began supporting it by sending
war materials and other supplies
over the Burma road. No one will
deny that although the generals
simo himself is honest, those around
him are entirely different.
1t must be realized, however, that
1t is difficult for a general COM
manding q division to keep his FAM
lily on salary of SIT month.
While corruption should never be
condoned. 1t is humanity under
standable that graft will increase
in China unless financial and eco
nornic conditions improve.
Here we meet vicious circle.
Economic and financial troubles
cannot be remedied so long as there
Is civil war. provoked by Com
m,lnists under Gen. Mao Tse-tung,
trained by Moscow and now fully
supported by the Kremlin.
While we have stopped all ship
ments of war materials to the Kuo-
mintang forces, the U. S. S. r. is re-
inforcing the Communist armies IN
China with men and especially war
material, which is being manufac-
tured by modern japanese war
plants removed by the Soviet armies
to Siberia when they entered Man.
churia in August, 1945.
The political situation in China
has worried the American Govern
ment for a long time. After a
casual and Indifferent kind of CO.
operation between Chinese regular
forces and the Communists during
their earlier phases of the war, the
schism between the Kuomintang
and the Communists grew wider.
Some American diplomats. like for
mer Ambassador Patrick Hurley,
attempted feebly to bring about
reconciliation between the Chinese
government and the Communist
faction.
Reds Played for Time
It soon became evident that the
Communist representatives, who
were sent by Gen. Mao to Chung
king at the request of the American
Government, were playing for time
and never intended to collaborate
with Chang in united govern
ment. They reneged in agreements
which contained major concessions.
At one time, after signature of
the Sino-Soviet treaty of August,
1945, there was real hope that the
Chinese government would be al
lowed to consolidate itself and pro-
ceed with a thorough peacetime
reorganization. Prime Minister
Stain placed his stamp of approval
on the Kuomintang government and
made light of the so-called Chinese
Communists.
This was the bait which the
American Government held out to
Gen. Chang to accept the Yalta
agreement. providing for re-estab-
lishment of Russia's zone Of interest
in the Manchurian railways, . 30
year Russian lease on the naval
base at Port Arthur and the So
called condominium over the demili-