COMMUNIST SPLIT AT ROME CONGRESS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 23

COMMUNIST SPLIT AT ROME CONGRESS

(N.ZP. A.-Reuter —Copyright)

ROME, December 4

Top figures of the Communist world today turned the Italian Communist Party congress into a battle between China and the followers of Moscow. After a two-day build-up, the tense situation reached a climax this morning with China hitting back at Russia, British United Press reported.

Communist leaders from Spain, France, and Poland promptly joined the fray on Moscow's side, the agency said. Both sides admitted for the first time that it was an issue between China and the rest of the Communist world. This was in spite of the fact that the quarrel appeared to be aimed at the policies of Albania and Jugoslavia, British United Press said. The agency said worried Italian delegates, representing the rank-and-file of the West’s largest Communist Party, lamely applauded the Chinese. But they also stood and applauded pro-Moscow speakers. Chinese Admission The Chinese delegate, Mr Chao Yi-ming, actually removed what was supposed the main subject of disagreement by saying world war could be avoided. But hardly anyone took any notice and the fight went on, the agency said. Mr Chao said: “We are certain that by relying on a broad united front, on an untiring blow by blow fight, we can prevent the outbreak of a world war.” This was implicit acceptance of Moscow’s theory that war is not inevitable. He referred on several occasions to the “forces of peace” but said nothing about the Chinese-Indian fighting. Reuters said Mr Chao deplored “unjust” attacks on Albania and expressed “profound regret.” Jugoslavs “Traitors”

He called Jugoslavia “100 per cent, traitors to communism” at the very moment Mr Khrushchev was warmly embracing President Tito in Moscow. He said the “Titoist clique” were in fact working for American imperialism, and the restoration of capitalism in Jugoslavia. British United Press said

Mr Chao accused the Italians of turning their congress into “a forum for attacks on a brotherly party.” He said it was "grave that in this congress the Marxist-Leninist views of the Chinese Communist Party should have been directly attacked.” The Italian Communist Party leader (Mr Togliatti), intentionally or otherwise, turned his back to Mr Chao as the Chinese ended his speech. Mr Chao walked past the Russian delegates without looking at them. The secretary of the French Communist Party’s central committee (Mr Roland Leroy) said the attitude of the “Chinese comrade" damaged “our common cause.” He appealed to the Chinese Communist Party to “end its incomprehensible and dangerous course,” Reuters reported.