Evening star., 1950-01-08


tradition to hail the entry of the
fdent hope that it will show di
Unfortunately this is not the
in the United States, which has b
ocratic world against the dark
perialism.
For the first time since 1872 WE
have become the target of aggres-
sion by a great power which has
far greater manpoWer and re-
sources than the British had 13e
years ago. Neither in the First
nor in the Second World Wal
were we ever directly threat
ened by European powers fighting
their frequent wars. Japan did
harbor aggressive intensions after
1882 and was quite open about it
But Japan was a small Oriental
country compared to the U. S. S. R
While it's leaders were preparing
a. foolish war against America
they lacked close allies.
The Chinese Nationalist govern
ment remained in existence
throughout the '3Os. a thorn in the
side of the would-be empire OF
Greater Asia, whose associates in
Europe were only fair-weather
friends, incapable-even if willing
to give any factual assistance
against the United States.
The situation has changed radi-
cally since that time. We are the
only power in the world which
can erect any obstacle to Moscow s
ambitions for world domination
And we have made clear our In
tensions to help a free world re-
main free, according to the con-
cepts of human rights and gen.
uine freedom.
Eggs in One Basket
If it had not been for our posi-
tive actions-in Europe only
since 1947 Russia would have had
no trouble extending her domina-
ton in the Old World as far as
the English Channel. The Mar
shall Plan; the olitical and flnan-
cial assistance given Italy at the
time of the crucial elections in
1948, when the Communists suf-
fered a setback; the Atlantic pact,
which aims to reorganize their
depleted armed forces, and, finally,
the assistance given Yugoslavia' S
Premier Marshal Tito are all ac-
tions which place us in direct
opposition to the Kremlin's plans
We have challenged the Soviet
dictator in the same way that we
challenged the Axis dictators after
1899. But the Politburo has
methods and aims which are
different from those of the Nazis
and their associates. The men al
the helm of the Russian empire
are fully aware that if the power
of the United States ever i!
broken, the rest of the world vii
fall into their lap like ripe plum
And they are preparing for a flna
|, showdown, not with Europe
| which is still PROSTATE and power.
less after two severe conflicts II
the last SO years, but against
America, which still has the
greatest potential power in the
world.
Following the pattern of World
Wars I and II. which our inter-
vention turned in favor OF the
Western Allies. we are now once
more putting all our eggs in the
European basket. There seems to
be veil over the eyes of our
political leaders. who do not seem
to realize how radically the situa-
ton has changed.
In World War I the whole of
Asia was on the side of the West
ern Allies. China, Japan and the
vast British possessions on that
continent were fighting against
the Central Powers. In World
War II we did have China on our
side. Her fighting ability was
negative, but she did keep more
than 100000 japanese troops
engaged against what was left Of
the Chinese republic.
The situation now is much diff
ferent. Japan is powerless. The
whole of China, with its more
than 100000. 900 people, is under
the strictest control by Moscow.
The few specks Of territory left
to the Nationalists-such as the
islands of Hainan and Formosa-
are expected to fall into the
hands of the Kremlin puppets
within the next few months.
The newly created independent
states of India, Burma and In
donesia are too weak to be of any
assistance to the nations which
made their independence possible.
The most we can hope for is that
the Soviets will not make inroads
into those countries any time
soon.
Europe Lacks Unity
That, Of course. is only a pious
wish. for all the reports which
reach Washington indicate that
the new nations of Asia will be
taken into the Soviet orbit either
by insurrection from within or
direct action from without. These
newborn governments have not
had time to organize defensive
forces capable Of resisting Mos
cows drive and won't be given