Evening star., 1948-12-08
Philosophic View of China


Those who fancy themselves experts on
China and Chinese psychology have placed
the American people in an embarrassing posi-
PRESS we were told that China was marching
in the ranks Of those who desired peace. Now
we are urged to forget such a trivial thing as
Intellectual honesty by denying that the hour
of the Tu-chuns military governors) struck
in 1928 when the whole Chinese nation was
| united under single flag. Subsequent years
Of closely woven American Chinese history are
damned" from the air waves by the paeans
OF praise to those who made one "long march" I"
Treaties and pacts of mutual assistance
solemnly agreed to are thrown aside and q
slyly expurgated version of the so-called new
democracy" is acclaimed as the way, the light
and the truth.
Indeed, the whole Christian western worlds
relations with China present q paradox. The
Chinese themselves raise the question: Why,
after all these years of intensive training and
directed enthusiasm for formal democracy
should we now be expected to accept anything
less than true democracy?
1t Is grievous error to think that the
Chinese people can be made to believe that the
struggle in Europe has nothing to do with their
war against the same chief planners Of
atheistic aggression in China. Japan, too, saw
only the worst side of the old China and, hop
ing to win it over by bribes failed because she
did not really know these people. 1t would be
to our interest to learn Of China's good points
as well as her bad ones. In so doing it might
be within the realm Of intelligent analysis to
consider the root cause Of the good as well as
the bad.
China was feudal. With its ideals Of chivalry
and its worship Of national heroes. particularly
the literati, 1t had cosmopolitan rather than
q nationalistic outlook, an attitude expressed
in two words: Ia tung-"the principle OF
universal human brotherhood" Surprisingly
enough, despite the chaos Of recent years. the
thing the Chinese mainly cherish out Of all the
legacy Of the past is the ideal Of universal
peace-expressed as Ping tien hsia." Will we
be so cynical as TO say that this is not what we
intend the United Nations and the Marshall
Plan to accomplish?
Nom Communist Cooperation.
Just short Of shooting war, the non-Com-
munist nations contemplate an Atlantic pact
for mutual assistance. 1t Is advocated because
they have no illusions as to the destructive
power that has grown fat on their former in
decision. Therefore, do we not abet those who
work for chaos when we continue to neglect
seeing in China a powerful force for human
liberty, an ally that for centuries has taught
the dignity Of man.
No one will be 50 naive as to suggest that we
are not confronted with grave difficulties. Yet,
can it be truthfully said that the obstacles are
insurmountable and cannot be overcome by
wider use of intelligence, understanding and
sympathy? Cooperation between China and
America one a young republic striving to be-
come materially and politically Independent
r;oI,oe ND aHy oYSnaH
technologically Of all the nations, can be only
predicated upon the sincere willingness Of both
to accept just proportion of mutual respon-
sibility.
All is not irreparable If we now will COM
pare China's actual war in relation to our own
aspirations for peace We must not think of
1t only in terms of the past or as being
arbitrarily separated from the West and the
present. 1t is essentially the war Of Americans,
Chinese and all peace-aspiring people. Ds
China's continued attitude OF welcome to-
ward all faiths in marked contrast to those
who oppose us accents how the Christian
West is being n1isled concerning the Chinese
people, The trend is to forget that Confucius
taught: "All within the four seas are brothers"
giving to his followers the golden rule Of treat
ing others as we ourselves wish to be treated.
1t is dificult to imagine how much more
humble people can make themselves in order
to receive q renewal Of our confidence in their
efforts In spite Of our hesitancy, China fights
on Can we continue with clear Christian
conscience criticizing and deploring the decay
of morality and the corruption in government.
yet not recognizing the obligation to support
effectively those who say. "You have convinced
US that our destiny lies along the road you
have taken. We believe your way is best.
-. We are making q supreme sacrifice to at
tain that goal for ourselves and the peace OF
the world as well"? HAROLD J. THOMPSON.