Evening star., 1950-06-17

aS AJAX aS tAAC fLAdSS RCOP4C GAC
concerned.
The way We were treated is
proof Of the friendly feeling even
all-out Chinese Communists have
for Americans. We were prob
ably the first Americans q lot of
these villagers ever saw. We were
living among them. We got bet
ter food than the Red army regu-
lars, far better than the villagers
ever had. Yet there was no re-
sentiment.
We got soap and liquor and
cigarettes and other very expen-
Sive .luxuries that the villager or
Red soldier never gets from years
end to years end.
Instead of resentment, we were
invited to the victory feasts they
had whenever they scored a big
win over the Nationalists. In ad-
dition. they went out of their way
to throw parties for us. They
took our ages and records when
we were captured, and when our
birthdays came around. Mai.
Wang and 1t. Ho surprised us with
special food and presents. They
also remembered special American
holidays like Thanksgiving, and
came around with pork and chick
en-. "a pound of pork is a months
wages for a skilled worker, such
as a nurse.)
Maj. Wang. the biggest shot for
so miles around, would ride his BIZ
cycle 10 miles over muddy roads
to see how we were getting along.
If they treat a couple of Yank
non-coms like that, they like us
Red Propaganda Line Shifted.
The Chinese villagers have an
endless curiosity about Mel Gwa'
The Great Land, America. Our
guards would listen for hours II
we'd talk about Stateside.
That basic desire of the Chinese
even in the back country, to be
friends with the American people
has forced Macs propagandistS tc
change their propaganda line
Now they direct their lies against
America at the Government, and
not at the United States people
1t was causing resentment among
the peasants when they attacked
everything American.
The late President Roosevelt is
still a hero in the villages. So is
Gen. Joseph Stilwell. old Vinegar
Joe, who saw through Chang and
wanted to unite China. All the ed
ucated Commies we met, who
could read and knew something OF
recent history, said Gen. Stilwell
could have prevented the United
States losses in China If our Gov
ernment had followed his advice.
We don't know, but these are
the things we were told for 19
months. We do know that the Chi
nese village people are friendly to
Americans. We were alive and well
after 10 months, which is consid-
cradle proof.
America could do the things the
Communists are doing for the
Chinese peasants. We could do il
better. The peasants are so darned
grateful for any real help, like saw
ing their kids at childbirth, and
for education. They don't like
their kids dying. and living ir
filth, and going hungry. But they
never had money enough to finC
out any better way, and only the
Commies ever helped them, out
side our few mission schools and
hospitals.
Could Put Mao On Spot.
We think the United States
could put Mao Tze-tung on the
spot by simply Offering to help the
Chinese people. They're vulner-
able there, and they know it.
There isn't any way Mao could
keep the people from finding out
about a United States offer to
give medical aid and food supplies
and technical help to China. There
are too many overseas Chinese
with relatives in Red China. Those
otuside would get word to the in
Siders.
There'd be resentment If Mao
didn't accept the United States
offer. We'd get the credit if he did
accept. Either way, United States
stock would go up, and that's what
we want.
The Chinese Communist econ
omy Is shaky. Transportation is
pretty well shot to pieces. When
we were quartered down near
Tsingtao. we say a procession OF
carts and wheelbarrows totine
railroad ties up northwest, trying
to get the railways running again.
This lack Of transport keeps the
people from getting the things
they need. Fuel is worth almost
anything asked. People really suf-
fer from lack Of fuel, but in one