The people's voice., 1951-06-08

|
tators, which are our most depend
able allies-those on whose votes w.
can really count in the UN.
In the economic field we want t,
invest surpluses in countries wher,
labor is cheap, which will furnish u
raw materials cheap, buy our finished
goods at good price, and not make
serious trouble over the fact that il
the name of the american system
of free enterprise, we shut then
products out of the free market by
our tariffs.
Perhaps most basic of all is the
fact that being gigantic nation-state
we regard self-preservation as the
first law of life-that is, regard it
as our first concern to maintain and
extend our power position as over
against other nation-states, since it
is automatic that it is the only way
in which the national interest, secur-
ity, and honor can be maintained.
Having defeated Japan. and other
nations which have been weakened
and forced to a greater or less extent
to withdraw, we would undoubtedly
in any event now be establishing the
American power position in the
Orient even if Russia were not in the
picture.
1t is paradoxical that this should
be so since traditionally we have
stood for anti-imperialism in the
Orient. 1t is embarrassing and
tragic America should be engaged
in this power operation when the
one thing on which all except a
minority of reactionaries in the
Orient are united is that they want
all Western nations out of there
definitely and quick.
But the fact that the Russian-Com-
nunist bloc threat exists in the Orient
.onvinces American policymakers-
md probably most of the American
people, at the moment-that, what
.ver might be the case otherwise, it
s now a simple matter of self-defense
md sheer survival for the US. to
make the establishment of an impreg-
liable power position in the Pacific
lrea a major concern.
1t must exercise a new-of course,
democratic" and benevolent - i'm
,erialism in the Orient. 1t must
hare in the devastation of Korea
nd the slaughter of Koreans. 1t
aust even permit, or rather stimu-
ate, the rebuilding of the japanese
Military establishment and the revi-
al of industrial elements, for the
of which so much Ameri- |
an blood was shed but yesterday.
t must range itself against the revo-
ltionary elements which by defini- !
on oppose both foreign rule. even
1ough it be American, and the ma
We ruling elements which find it to
leir interest to "do business" with |
he foreigner.
Before making an attempt to sug-
est solution for the problem which
thus set before the American peo-
lie, it is necessary to state what
light be called the other half of it,
nd this leads to a brief reference to
le nature of the Russian or Com
unist phenomenon.
What l have been saying presum-
by throws some light on the ques-
on why it has apparently been so
lsy for Stalinist propaganda to pin
e labels of imperialism, terroriza- ;
on and war-mongering on the Unit
| States.
But how is it that Communism
,r the Stain regime which is GER
ainly totalitarian and expansion
st, militarily powerful. and some
lines brutally terroristic, has ac-
lieved not only so much power in
Asia but has commanded so much
Ievotion as the liberator of the
backward peoples and oppressed
masses, such impressive political
nd moral initiative?
One phase of the answer is simple
ough. For reasons that need not
elaborated here Russia is interest
in abolishing rather than main
ming the STATUS QUO in the nom
world. 1t is against the
estern powers. Moreover, the Rus
IN revolution did put an end to
:, do1icpo opd oopit n 1icpo II, Prce;o