Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-31
Moscow-Peiping Axis:
How Strong Is 1t?

though this seems unlikely-be an
open split.
Within the Western alliance. we
have seen what severe stresses and
strains can be set up when 1t is
suggested that one partner freeze
a situation Of nuclear disparity,
leaving other partners in a perma-
nently inferior role.
Washington, or at least some key
men in Washington. have been
tempted TO accept a test ban ever
since June, 1857, when the Rus
slams first offered to admit inter-
national inspectors to supervise its
fulfllment.
London and Paris, not wanting
their nuclear capacities frozen.
have resisted. The Russian offer.
temptingly reckoning American
inspectors inside the once-rigid
Iron Curtain, lured the United
States a considerable distance
away from its allies.
The split with Britain was
healed by agreeing to share with
Britain American atomic secrets,
thus giving London virtual atomic
parity. The split with France has
not been healed; indeed, it has
been opened wide in recent days.
Paris, unsatisfied with the half
loaf Congress was willing to give
her, has in effect fatty refused
to go along with the test ban.
Some Strains in Alliance
1t is not unreasonable to think,
U. N. diplomats say, that similar
stresses and strains may have
been set up within the Moscow
Peiping alliance.
Western European diplomats long
have nursed the theory that a
major reason why Russia wanted
a test ban was to prevent Red
China from obtaining a nuclear-
weapon capacity which one day
10, 20, or so years from now
might be used against Russia.
1t was Immediately after agree
ment came within reach at the
Geneva parley on inspection
methods that Soviet Premier Mix
ita Khrushchev few to Peiping. It
was shortly thereafter that word
leaked out, or was allowed to leak
out, that Moscow would give Red
China atomic weapons.
Has Moscow tried to close a split
with Peiping as the United States
closed its split with Britain? Or
is the pattern closer to that Of the
Franco-American relationship
that is, has Russia offered to
Stockpile atomic weapons in China,
but insisted on keeping the "key
to the cupboard?
Reds Moy Be Withholding
The West has no way to know.
For what it is worth. experienced
Western diplomats here who have
watched Soviet disarmament pol
icy evolve over many years doubt
that Moscow has opened up her
whole treasure chest of atomic Sc
crets for Red China's benefit. They
feel sure she has withheld some
part. or all, of that valuable pos
session.
Red China's maneuverings in
the FormoSa straits, seemingly at
variance with Moscow's current
policy Of seeking an East-WeSt
detente, could be an effort by
Peiping to pry open the treasure
chest-a warning to Moscow of the
possible consequences of failing to
keep the alliance close and COM
plete. it is speculated here.
At any rate, if there is differ
ence between Moscow and Peiping
over Peiping's future as an atomic
power, it almost certainly will
come to light in forthcoming weeks
as the United States and the So
Wet Union talk about a course
of action which at the very least
would intensity Peiping's depend
ence on Moscow and which, at
most. could put an unacceptable
ceiling on Peiping's military po-
tential.