Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-10
The Political Mil
Administration Neurs
lndo-Chinu Showdown
Outcome Moy Result in
Re-exominotion Of Policy
By Gould Lincoln

BY Gould Lincoln
The Eisenhower administration has
come to the very verge of q showdown
over the Indo- China problem. Commu-
mist aggression in that country. If per-
mitted to continue unchecked, threatens
the whole Of Southeast Asia with its
millions of people and. vast resources.
The President himself has said that II
the Reds dominate Indo China,
Thailand. Indonesia, Burma. Malaya-
the entire southeast section OF Asia
may go down like cards in q row after
the first is pushed.
The problem is two-pronged. First,
to prevent military victory by the
Reds In Indo-C China. Second, to see to
it that the French. In the coming &C.
neva conference, do not with British
concurrence) reach negotiated peace
in Indo-China. the price being admis-
sion Of Red China to the United
Nations. The Eisenhower administra-
ton is, at this time. as strongly opposed
to taking the Red Chinese into the u. N.
as 1t is to Communist military victory
in 1ndo-China. feeling that such action
would constitute not only a greater
threat to the free world, but also an
out-and-out diplomatic victory of large
proportions for the Communists.
So the President is sending Secretary
of State Dulles to London and Paris to
pull our French and British allies into
line. What is desired is a firm state
ment, entered into by the British, the
French, the United States and probably
Australia and New Zealand, directed
to the Chinese Communists that their
ever-increasing aid to the Communist
Wet Mini aggression in Indo-C China
must halt. The statement would inform
the Red Chinese that cooperative eco
nomic and military operations against
them will follow promptly continued
aggressive steps by the Communists.
= The administration has made it clear 1t
wishes an agreement, if it can be had.
to such step before the Geneva Con-
ference gets under way April rs, with
the United States, Britain, France, So
Wet Russia and Red China sitting down
to discuss the Far East problems.
What's Ahead?
It's ticklish game. any way you look
at it. It has become clear, however,
that if the British and French are UNI
willing to support our position, there
will be a strong demand in this country
that another look be taken at the inter-
national situation. Already, important
Senate leaders have suggested that fur
Their American foreign aid to our allies
be withheld, Unless our allies are willing
20 60 A.
Gated by the fact that the British and
French have recognized Red China.
that the British are intent upon build
ing up their Far East trade, and that
in the past they have urged the United
States to follow their course and recog-
nize Red China. All of this leads toward
admission of Red China to the United
Nations which this country has so far
steadfastly declined to consider.
With the United States in the lead
ing role, Communist aggression was
halted in Korea. Now the Reds are
pushing into Southeast Asia via Indo-
China. There the French have been
conducting the main military answer
to this aggression. In fact, they have
been at it for seven years. In recent
months. the United States has come to
the assistance of the French with mill
tary supplies, planes and technicians.
and this aid has been greatly increased.
How the American people would feel
toward the use of United States mill
tary forces of any kind in Indo- China's
war has still to be determined. The
Communists, however, should recall
that, when the Reds moved into Korea
in 1850, this Government, under the
leadership of former President Truman,
moved promptly to halt them. Mr.. Tru-
man was criticized for not first getting
approval of Congress for this move.
But sentiment in this country at that
time was such that the Congress would
have gone right along with Mr.. Truman
had he asked it for action. President
Eisenhower and his aides have made it
clear that no move into Indo- China will
be undertaken without bipartisan con-
ference and congressional action.
Alternatives Cited.
Senator Knowland of California Re-
publican leader of the Senate, has al
ready pointed out that there are alter
natives to the use of American ground
AOANCo AA 4AANO-%AAAAAu, dAAOAAS OAlCAA blAS
use of the blockade against Red China,
economic presSures, and the use Of
naval and air forces. He has also pre-
dicted that if this country becomes in
volved, the Reds will have no sanctuary
beyond the Indo-Chinese borders as
they did in the Korean war, beyond the
Yalu River.
President Eisenhower has made 1t
plain that he will do all he can to
prevent an extension of the war in
Indo- China. and to bring peace. APP
peasement and concessions to the Reds,
however. are not included.
The French have been criticized be-
cause they have so far been unwilling
to promise or to give the three Indo-
China states complete independence.
Such promise. it is argued, would
build up the morale of the natives In
the fight against the Communists 1t
would also have a good effect in the
United States. Americans do not like
the idea of fighting to help the French
or any other nation maintain colonial
system. A promise to give independence
at a certain date-perhaps at the end
of five years-by the French would re-
lieve the situation enormously.