Evening star., 1948-11-25

Officials Here Question
Whether Asio Will Go
Under Soviet Control
By David Laurence
China has become the No.
profile of the moment-even
transcending the Berlin blockade in
the realm Of worry and concern.
The issue is not merely whether
one faction or the other shall be
helped in a civil war. Nor is the
question merely one Of giving aid
to the Nationalist government.
What is at stake is the future OF
the United States in the Far East
World War II was fought to stamp
out autocratic control in Germany
and Japan because this. was threat
to the peace of the world. But when
Japanese militarism was crushed II
was assumed that China would be
n friendly power. Now it turns oul
that Russia may control China and
that friction between America and
q Communist government in China
will develop in much the same way
as it has between America and the
satellite states of Europe now un-
der Soviet domination.
Did America 20 to all the trouble
It did to wrest power from one Far
Eastern power only to allow the
whole Asiatic mainland next to
Japan to be controlled by Soviet
Russia? This Is the question being
asked in official quarters as efforts
are made to determine a policy
toward China.
Problem Let Drift.
Although the China problem has
been bothering officials for lone
time, the tendency has been to let
it drift, never coming to grips with
the real issue, which Is whether
China and Korea shall be left to
the Russians to control.
Somewhat the same situation
confronted the United States In
Greece and Turkey just before the
Truman doctrine was announced.
America saw Russian aggression
sweeping to the Mediterranean and
declared 1t must stop. Aid was
furnished to both Greece and Tur-
key, and while q guerrilla faction
financed and supplied by the So
viets, still makes life miserable foi
the regular Greek government, the
Russian march to the south has
been halted.
All this has cost the American
taxpayer money, and to do the same
thing in the Far East will also
cost O. good deal too. 1t has been
estimated that with half billion
dollars a year and about 10000
American officers and enlisted men,
q mission to China can strengthen
the Nationalist government and put
new spirit into the anti-Communist
fight.
From the standpoint Of inter-
national law, aid requested by a
government previously recognized
may be extended without preaching
custom. The Nationalist govern
ment has formally invited American
aid, and it Is known that Gen.
Chang Kai-shek desperately seeks
American help. Indeed, 1t Is said
he will accept complete American
supervision over the distribution OF
supplies 50 that the criticism con-
cerning previous waste Of materials
and equipment will be met.
Traditionally Friends.
Traditionally the United States
is the friend of China. In world
affairs China has shown herself to
be the friend of the United States.
While there is much to criticize in
the way the Nationalist government
functions-it is autocratic and sur
rounded by corruption and incompe-
tency-those who know Chinese af-
fairs say any government dominated
by the Communists or any coali-
ton Of the two factions would be
subject to the same weaknesses.
What the United States must de-
eide very soon Is whether to get out
of the Far East altogether and rem
der futile all the sacrifices made to
rid the world of japanese militarism
or face the grim facts, namely, that
China needs help and that the Ma
tionalist government can be helped
in a military way by new mission
of men and money.
Americans who have studied the
Chinese situation differ as to the
practically Of any aid extended
at this time-some say it is too late
and that the Communists have al
ready gotten the upper hand, and
others say that the civil war will
last for many years more and that
American aid will at least in the
near future have the effect Of pre-
venting the Soviets from opening up
q new flank for harassment Of
America.
The final policy has not yet been
made but the trend is toward aid
to China for the very simple reason
that the alternative means the rise
of the Soviets in the Far East and
possibly much more expense to pro-
tect American interests later on in
the event of another world war.
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