Americans In Asia

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28974, 15 August 1959, Page 3

Americans In Asia

The Ugly American. By William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick. Gollancz. 285 pp.

This is a book which is likely to be topical for a long time. It certainly has some relevance at present, with trouble brewing in Laos, which, like the mythical state of Sarkhan described in this volume, is a centre of Western influence in Eastern Asia.

On the dust-jacket, “The Ugly American” is called a novel; but it is rather a series of looselyconnected incidents designed to show that United States diplomacy in the East has become the Rake's Progress when it should be more like the rise of the Industrious Apprentice. The situation in Sarkhan illustrates this. It is a battle ground in the cold war between communism and the Western democracies, and communism is winning hands down. Out of their concern for what is really taking place in Burma, in Vietnam, in. Laos, the authors have written this indictment of the diplomacy of their country, changing all names, but not softening the blow.

They complain that the State Department sends the wrong people to Asia. Most ambassadors, in their opinion, are careerists and interested only in themselves, or socially minded and without a real interest in their job. Both types tend to pass their time exclusively in diplomatic circles, meeting only such natives as are sufficiently westernised to be socially acceptable. Such diplomats rarely speak the. native language, or make any effort to learn it Their understanding of Eastern problems is slight and may be non-existent United States aid comes in for some strong criticism as well. The authors contend that billions of dollars are poured out on costly schemes, like roads and dams, when all that such backward countries are ready for is a development of village industries. “The projects most urgently needed include improvement of chicken and pig-breeding, small pumps which did not need expensive replacement parts, knowledge on commercial fishing, canning of foods, improvement of seeds, small village size papermaking plants, sanitary use of night-soil, and development of small industries.” These, it is submitted, are “the projects which would not only make friends, yvhile costing little, but are also prerequisite to industrialisation and economic independence for Asia. They must be realised before communism can lose its appeal.”

apptai. To make the point clear, Messrs Lederer and Burdick have written a series of parables; the powers of light are contrasted with the forces of ignorance and stupidity. The Ugly Americans were working away in remote villages, having the time of their life, eating native food, and making two blades of grass grow where one had grown before. Another one watches the agency of the French forces in Indo-China, and once in a while makes helpful suggestions based on his reading of Mao Tse-tung, “one hell of a bright guy,” whom the French have not bothered to study. Meanwhile the ambassadors are driving about in Cadillacs or holding portentous staff conferences, or merely entertaining and being entertained. All except one ambassador that is, the Honourable Gilbert Mac White, who is so alive to everything that he qualifies as one of the useful “Uglies.” and, of course, has to resign his post and go back home.

..J£, bviously is easy to smile at The Ugly American”; but it would be a mistake to ignore it. The book reveals a generous if rather simple faith in human nature, and this is worthy of respect and encouragement. Some readers of children’s books may be reminded here of “Mr Fix-It ” ■ who was always on hand to glue j

up a doll, or fit a new valve In a tube, or bandage a dog’s paw. “Mr Fix-It,” however, had a simple problem, and could depend on the gratitude of those he helped. (The dog never bit him.) What Messrs Lederer and Burdick have not sufficiently explored is the kind of response “Mr Fix-It” is really likely to get in Cambodia or Rangoon. They are convinced that kindness works like a charm. Is it wise to be so sure of the mollifying influence of generosity in the East?