Brighter U.S. Hopes Of Peace In Far East

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27764, 15 September 1955, Page 11

Brighter U.S. Hopes Of Peace In Far East

[Specially Written jor the N.Z.P.A. by FRANK OLIVER] (Rec. TO p.m.) MONTREAL, September 13. While riiuch of the world persists is remaining in the political shadow, Americans see brighter weather in the Far East. They are disappointed and bothered by the acrimonious nature of the RussianGerman talks, but there is more than one sigh of relief that the Chinese-American talks are bearing fruit and that the Cambodia vote has been overwhelmingly pro-Western.

The change in the “little Geneva” talks is being assessed by the experts and there is now mild optimism that the talks will continue to make progress. but fingers are still kept crossed, for one never knows what card Mr Chou En-lai may decide to play next. For the moment the general public is well satisfied that the imprisoned Americans are coming home. It may be that Peking has been testing out American feeling and the strength of American convictions. After the summit meetings, the idea got around in some places that the Americans wanted neace at almost any price. True, America would do a lot for peace, but Mr Chou now knows that the price does not run to giving him a free hand to dictate to the State Department for his own political purposes. His demand, through his Geneva envoy, that America accept the untruth that Chinese students in America have been kidnapped and are being

held as prisoners, showed plenty of nerve, but also showed his estimate of American psychology and feelings was absurdly unrealistic. Having met a road block along that avenue, he apparently found it difficult to withdraw, but the Oriental face has been saved by saying that students who feel they are being restrained can tell their woes to the Indian Embassy. The Indian Embassy is not likely to be troubled much by applications and complaints, but the Geneva negotiators can now get on towards other important and far-reaching matters. Some observers are beginning to assume that Peking really does want better relations with the United States and the West generally, and that although continuing conversations will not be soft or easy, they have a good chance of getting somewhere and leading to a real measure of relaxation of tension.

After all, Mr Chou really does want to get to the United Nations, and although he may not need America’s blessing for that. American opposition could be pretty effective. The Chinese agreement to release the Americans seemed designed to create a favourable atmosphere in United Nations circles.

On Wednesday a considerable list of issues is expected to be brought up bv the Chinese delegate, including the broad subject of Far East security, the resumption of diplomatic relations, the relaxation of American trade embargoes and. of course, a seat for Peking in the United Nations. It is clear that the Chinese are out for big things. Far East experts believe the subjects most urgent to Peking arc the removal of trade barriers, for economic purposes, and that,

coveted seat, for diplomatic purposes —further proof for all Asians that Communist China is the champion of Asia for the Asiatics and that she is a powerful champion.

America will not be behind and in bringing up topics she wishes to have discussed, including that suggestion for the renunciation of force, which is still regarded in Washington as a prerequisite to any opening of the gates for the entry of China into the United Nations. Cambodian Poll The result of the voting in Cambodia has given enormous pleasure. It had been thought that the neutralist policies of India might have had a very considerable effect on the Cambodia voters and an indecisive result would have been regarded as a blow to the West. As it is, the result is regarded as a terrific anti-Communist blow and consequently a pro-Western victory, which, it is hoped, will have pleasant repercussions in all parts of the IndoChinese peninsula. The fear has long been present in the minds of many here that neutralism and apathy in South-east Asia might lose much territory there to the Communists: but obviously there J nothing apathetic about Cambodia and neutralism has not made many converts. ______