CALL FOR UNITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 57, 17 December 1945, Page 3

CALL FOR UNITY

AFFAIRS IN CHINA

DECLARATION BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. “The events of this century indicate that a breach of peace anywhere in the world threatens the peace of the entire world. It is thus vital to the interests of all the United Nations that the Chinese should overlook no opportunity to adjust their internal differences promptly by peaceful negotiation.”

This statement was made by President Truman when he emphasised the need for a strong, united democratic China in the interest of world peace. “The United States believes it is essential: —

(1) For a cessation of hostilities to be aiTanged between the armies of the National Government, the Communists and other dissident armed forces, to complete the return of all China to effective Chinese control, including the immediate evacuation of the Japanese forces. (2) For a national conference of representatives of the major political elements, to be arranged to develop an early solution to the internal strife—a solution which will achieve the unification of China. “The United States and other United Nations recognised the present National Government as the only legal Government of China. It is the proper instrument to achieve the objective of a unified China.” After referring to the Cairo and Potsdam declarations and the ChinaSoviet treaty, President Truman added: “To remove the possibility of Japanese influence remaining in China, the United States has assumed an obligation in the disarmament and evacuation of Japanese troops and accordingly will assist the National Government in that direction. Marines are in North China for that purpose for which a prompt cessation of hostilities is essential.

“United States support will not extend to military intervention to influence the course of any Chinese internal strife. Peace in the Pacific may be jeopardised, even frustrated, unless Japanese influence in China is wholly removed and unless China takes her place as a unified, democratic peaceful nation, hence the maintenance for the time being of the United States military and naval forces in China.

One-Party Government “The United States is cognisant of the fact that the present National Government is a one-party Government and believes that peaces unity and democratic reform will be furthered if the basis is broadened to include other political elements, hence the United States strongly advocates that a national conference agree to arrangements which would give all elements fair and effective representation in the Government. It is. recognised that this would require a modification of the political' tutelage established as interim in the nation’s progress toward democracy by Sun Yat Sen.

“The existence of autonomous armies like the Communist Army is inconsistent with and actually makes the political unity of China impossible, hence with the institution of a broadly representative Government the autonomous armies should be eliminated as such and all the armed forces in China integrated into a Chinese national army.”

i “The United States considers that detailed steps to achieve political unity must be worked out by the Chinese themselves. The intervention of any foreign Government would be inappropriate." The United States feels that China has a responsibility to the other United Nations to eliminate, internal armed conflict. This responsibility is shared by the Government and by all political and military groups. Help Promised

“The United States would he prepared, as China moves toward peace and unity along such lines, to assist the National Government to rehabilitate the country, improve the agrarian and industrial economy and establish an adequate military organisation. It would be prepared favourably to consider Chinese requests for credits and loans for projects which would contribute to the development of a healthy economy in China and healthy trade relations between China and the United States.