Milford chronicle., 1949-12-23
Diplomatic Recognition
by Clarke Beach

by Clarke Beach
WASHINGTON - The United
States is welding a small stick
against the Communist Chinese go
vernment by failing to recognize it.
But a high diplomatic authority
says non-recognition can't last for
ever.
In the long run, he says, the with
holding of recognition is not pow
erful lever. u. S. recognition gives
prestige and strength to a new gov
ernment, but once so much as ii
would now.
BY Withholding recognition at
this time, the U. S. hopes to make
it clear to the Chinese Reds that It
doesn't intend to accept on an equal
diplomatic footing any nation
which doesn't fulfill its internation-
al obligation. The Reds mistreat-
ment of Angus Ward and other
American citizens was enough in
itself to disgust American diplo-
mats.
To obtain American recognition
Secretary of State Acheson has
said, the Chinese Communists mus
not only live up to their interna-
tiOnal obligations. They also must
control their whole country, and
the Chinese people must at least
! acquiesce in their rule.
For generations the American
government has required that new
governments meet those tests be-
fore they are recognized. ThOma;
Jefferson first formulated the view
Point that recognition doesn't meal
approval-only that the U. S. ack
nOwledges existence of the regime
at is recognition of a set of facti
nothing more" says Secretary D
State Acheson. 1--WE may have tn
the graVest reservations as to tn
matter in which it has come int,
power. We may deplOre its attitud
toward civil liberties. Yet our lon
range detectives in the promotion
of democratic institutions may, il
fact, be best served by recognizing
it and thus maintaining a channe
of communication with the cOuntr
involved"
Recognition of a new governmen
has advantages for both sides
That's the reason some Othe
countries are reported to be cage
= to recognize the. Chinese Reds q
soon as possible. 1t opens the chan
, nels of diplomatic intercOures. Be
fore recognition ENJOYS of fOreig
powers have no immunity, no dip
lOmatic status. They are treate
like private citizens and can be G
only limited use to the governmen
they represent. If an envoy of
country don't recognize turns up i
= your country, you can deport hiI
. as an alien illegally in your cour
try.
An unrecognized government ca
2 not be prosecuted before interG
ational tribunals in case it fails [
, live up to treaties and other Obligs
8 tlons. One government doesn't haV
access to the courts of another M
4 tiOn unless it is recognized.
\ couldn't sue to enforce contract
and to obtain damages for cOnfii
, cation Of property. Under sue
circumstances, a government fine
!, 1t hard to make loans or to writ
q contracts for purchases.
: The authority to recognize a ne
. government rests with the Pres
: dent. This has been standard proc,
= dure for many years, although
: times it has been argued that IL
power was held jointly by the pre-,
ident and Congress.
At any rate Congress must acdl
iesce, for no ambassador can |
: until the Senate has confirmed hi
7 In China's case, the administratio
has promised that the Presidel
would not extend recognition III
8 til after the State Department hs
8 discussed the matter with the Sci
u ate Foreign Relations Committee.
: In 1913, when the question of +,
{ cognizing the new Chinese Repul
4 lie came up the issue was hotly d,
i bated. A group in Congress fe
3 that the President was delaying t,
3 long and a resolution was intr,
duced declaring that the new go
/ ernment was recognized. But
q never passed.