Evening star., 1949-12-31
The Political Mill
Strong, Bipartisan Policy
Declared Needed on China
Truman Repeatedly Warned of Spread
OF Communism in Far East
Bv Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
What's needed is Q bipartisan (non-
partisan) Chinese-Far Eastern policy-an
American policy with backbone supported
by Republicans and the Democrats alike.
Particularly is it needed today-and there
appears to be q greater chance for the
development Of such q policy
President Truman has had repeated warn
ings. The situation In China, however, has
continued to deteriorate. II the spread Of
Communism In Europe is inimical to Ameri-
can interests. the spread Of Communism IN
China and Asia generally is equally bad.
The Truman administrators policy to-
ward Communist Russia, until the first
session Of the United Nations In London.
was almost as indeterminate as has been
the policy toward China and its growing
Communist threat. In London, however.
and later when the United Nations re-
sumed its sessions in New York. the policy
had stifened. The stifening can be at
tributed in large part to Republican particle
patton in "bi-partisan foreign policy" with
Senator Vandenberg Of Michigan spear
heading the demand for firmer dealings with
the Soviet government
COP Presses for Action.
Republicans have been pressing for
months for q strong, bipartisan policy IN
China. But there has been none. Bitterly
Republicans claim they have not been con-
suited, but have been presented with policies
toward China and told to accept them
that's ALL These are Republican Senator'S.
strongly supporting our bipartisan foreign
policy, believing such unity is essential II
the United States Is to exert its complete
influence for peace and justice in the world.
Senator Vandenberg has urged that the
Chinese policy needs revising. Senator
Smith of New Jersey, also a member OF the
Foreign Relations Committee and Senator
Knowland of California have hammered at
the administrators door with proposals to
stiffen the China policy.
It seems fantastic there should be "bi.
partisan" policy toward Europe and Euro
pean Communists and no such thing toward
Asiatic Russia, China and the rest of Asia.
Unless the administration changes its at
titude in this matter, the whole bipartisan
foreign policy may 60 overheard and
foreign policy become political football in
the coming congressional campaign. The
blame would rest then, not so much on the
Wherrys, the Jenners and the Watkins Gre
publican Senators who have taken serious
raps at the bipartisan foreign policy a.
on Mr.. Truman himself.
Senator Connally Of Texas chairman OF the
Foreign Relations Committee, Is authority
for the statement that there will be no recog-
milton of the Communist government in
China by the President without first con-
sultation with the representatives OF the Sen.
ate, Republican and Democratic. Secretary
Of State Acheson gave him this assurance.
Senator Smith of New Jersey. who has re.
Gently returned from q visit to the Far East.
is strongly opposed to recognition Of the
Chinese Communists-and there are other
Republicans backing him up..
Sees No Gain for United States.
He frankly does not see any gain in Ameri.
can recognition of this Communist govern.
ment, and considerable disadvantage. He
points out that China must have trade with
the Western Nations-and will have, recogni.
ton or no. Communist Russia for years was
not recognized by the United States but
trade went on. If the United States recog.
nizes Communist China, Chinese consulates
in many cities of this country will become
focal points for the inflltration Of Commu.
nists and the spread Of Communist propa.
ganda here. The country has had enough OF
that sort Of thing Senator Smith mas
strongly urged, too, unified command in the
Far East.
Frankly Republicans-and Democrats, too
are worried over policy which seems to
indicate the United States is not willing to
protect its citizens, and even its officials. in
Communist dominated China. The prestige
of America loses ground in all Ashland
that of Communist Russia grows.
A firm declaration by the United States
that it does not intend to recognize Commu-
mist China would have the effect of halting
the much discussed and expected recognition
OF the Communist government by Great
Britain, in the opinion of Senator Smith. The
island of Formosa, now held by the Chinese
Nationalists, has become of key interest in
the plans for halting the spread Of the Com
munists. In the opinion Of Senator Know
land and Of Senator Smith-and 1t is re.
ported also in the opinion Of Gen. Douglas
MacArthur-the island must not be turned
over to the Communists. II it were, it would
become threat to our national defense in
noo al