Acheson's Plan for Free China

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 8

Acheson's Plan for Free China

WASHINGTON, Fri. (11.30 a.m.). —The Secretary of State (Mr Acheson) at a press conference today, advanced a five-point programme to encourage support of an independent, liberally governed and free China. } He said the United States was prepared to work with China s people and every*other country in Asia to preserve freedom from foreign imperialism. Mr Acheson held the conference after the release of a White Paper describing the Nationalist Government’s failure to retain the people’s confidence or to resist the Communists overrunning China.

Mr Acheson stated “certain basic principles” for future United States policy towards China. These principles, he said, were:

(1) The United States desires to encourage in every feasible way the development of China as an independent, stable nation.

(2) The United States desires to support the creation in China of economic political conditions, which will safeguard the basic rights and social well-being of its people. . , (3) The United States is opposed tc the subjection of China to any foreign power, or to any regime acting in the interests of a foreign power, and the dismemberment of China by any foreign power. (4) The. United States will continue to consult the other interested powers on measures which will contribute to the continuing security and welfare of the peoples of the Far East. (5) The United States will, encourage and support United Nations’ efforts to achieve these objectives, and particularly to maintain peace and security in the Far East. REDS DENOUNCED Mr Acheson said the principles would be supported in the day-to-day conduct of . United States foreign policy. He denounced the Chinese Communists as “attempting to establish totalitarian dominion over the Chinese people in the interests of a foreign power.” Mr Acheson earlier warned Communist China against attempting to engage in aggression against China’s neighbours. Mr Acheson gave the warning in a letter to President Truman accompanying a White Paper on United States relations with China. He discounted claims that comparatively little extra American aid to the Nationalists would have made possible the destruction of Communism in China and . said that full-scale United States intervention in the conflict would have been necessary. BASIS OF U.S. POLICY Summing up the basis of United States policy toward China, Mr Achesen said:— “One point is clear—should the Communist regime lend itself to the aims of Russian imperialism and attempt to engage in aggression against China's neighbours, we and other members of the United Nations would be confronted by a situation violative of the principles of the United Nations Charter fend threatening international peace and security. “Meanwhile our policy 'will continue to be based upon our own respect for the Charter, our friendship for China, our traditional support for the open door and for China’s independence and administrative and territoral integrity." GENERALS DESERT TO REDS Peiping’s Communist radio confirmed that General Cheng-Chien-, Nationalist Governor of Hunan Province, and General Chen Ming-jen, commander of the Nationalist First Army Group, both revolted against the Central Government prior to the fall of Chansha. A Nationalist military spokesman today stated that the Communists had completely occupied Changsha. Nationalist aircraft today dropped 100.000 leaflets to Nationalist soldiers in the outskirts of Changsha informing them that the city had fallen and instructing them to ignore any orders issued from Changsha through General Chen Ming-jen.

Semi-official /sources admit that the situation outside Changsha is confused and that Nationalist soldiers have lost contact with their commanders. SERIOUS SITUATION Observers interpret this admission as meaning that the Nationalists have suffered heavy losses. Earlier reports said Chen had taken at least one of his three armies with him. It is thought in Canton that his defection has created a serious Nationalist situation and could conceivably compel General Pai Chung-hsi to withdraw into Kwangsi Province, which would leave the road to Canton virtually open. Chen was formerly Chief of the General Staff and a close friend of Chiang Kai-shek. * AN OLD CAMPAIGNER Eighty years of beating coughs, colds and sore throats has made Baxters Lung Preserver supreme. The fastacting, penetrating properties of rich, warming “Baxters” tackles throat tickle, clears air passages and restores easy breathing. "Baxters” is perfectly pure—safe for young and old. Baxters Ltd., 602 Colombo St., Chch.