Evening star., 1949-12-19
Mao Goes to Moscow

Some wiShful thinking in this country
regarding the Chinese Communists and
their "Titoist" potentialities will doubtless
be moderated by the current visit to Moscow
of the Chinese Red leader, Mao Tze-tung.
While its full significance remains to be
disclosed, most signs indicate cementing
the Soviet Union. Certainly, Mao Red
Chinas outstanding intellectual figure and
dominant personality, is leaving no stone
unturned to emphasize his solidarity with
Soviet Russia and his devotion to the cause
of world revolution. And the Kremlin, on
its side, is outdoing itself in the warmth of
its reception to the distinguished visitor
It should be understood that Moscow is
girding itself for the big festivities on
Wednesday marking the celebration of
Premier Stalins SEVENTEEN birthday. The
Communist Mecca is jammed with delega-
tions and celebrities not only from every
part of the Soviet Union but also from
the Peoples Republics" of Europe and
Asia. This enhances the significance of
the honors shown Mao, who seems to be
slated as the top foreign attraction. I'M
pressively greeted at the railway station
on his arrival in Moscow, he was received
that same evening by Stain in company
with Foreign Minister Vishinsky and the
most prominent members of the Politburo.
Mao reciprocated with fulsome speech
to the reception committee. Voicing his
great happiness" at the opportunity to
visit the state first in world socialism,"
and expressing thanks and appreciation on
behalf of the Chinese people for the aid
rendered them more than once by the
Soviet Union during the past thirty-three
years, he declared that the primary objec-
tives OF his visit to Miscow were: Strength
ening of the world front for peace; in
tensifcation of the battle against war
mongers"; strengthening of the relations
between the Soviet Union and China, and
further development of the friendship be-
tween the Chinese and Soviet peoples.
Those detectives doubtless will be pur-
sued during the discussions slated to take
place between Mao and Stain on the high
est level in conjunction with conferences
of large Chinese delegation, including
General Chu Teh and their Soviet oppo-
site numbers. Out of all this is expected
to come a solid diplomatic framework for
Sino-Soviet relations. High on the list of
subjects for discussion are understood to
be treaties. OF friendship, alliance, and
trade. Such treaties would define and
formalize the common goals and mutual
interests of the two powers.
Whatever the unpleasant connotations
Of Macs visit to Moscow, the non-Com-
munist world must squarely face the prob
ability Of a close Sino-Soviet understand
ing. To do otherwise would be to harbor
illusions as dangerous as they would be
misleading. There is possibility, of
course, that differences over such great
issues as the future control of Manchuria,
together with the Chinese peoples deep
rooted and ancient opposition to foreign
domination OF any type, may eventually
give rise to powerful form Of Oriental
"Titoism." As far as the immediate future
is concerned, however, prudence suggests
that the United States and the West as
whole will be wise not to base their
political economic or military strategy
on the mere chance that that sort of
development will take place. It is thing
that can only be hoped for; there Is no
certainty whatever In it..