FAR EAST POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 7

FAR EAST POLICY

AMERICA CRITICISED ECONOMIC AGGRESSION (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. American policy in the Far East was criticised as economic aggression by Mr L. J. Callaghan (Lab.), speaking in the House of Commons on a motion for adjournment. He alleged that the Americans were supporting General Chiang Kai-shek against the Communists and Chiang’s policy of incorporating puppet armies who formerly fought alongside the Japanese into the National Army. “ The Americans have embarked on a plan of economic aggression in the Far East, and desire to capture the trade of China,” said Mr Callaghan. “ This policy will prolong the civil war which has broken out. Do not let us forget that just as the last shots of the present war were fired in the Far East, so were the first shots fired there.” Mr Bevin at Moscow should ask the Americans to state clearly their foreign policy. Mr Callaghan expressed the opinion that the Americans should withdraw their troops from Manchuria, and the United Nations’ Organisation of the “Big Three” should be responsible for conducting free democratic elections in China as soon as possible. He pointed out that Russia, China, Australia. and many other nations who were hurt by Japanese aggression desired a Far Eastern Control Commission, not an advisory commission. “We are told that if we insist on a control commission General MacArthur will resign his job. With great respect for that very fine soldier, it is not a soldier’s job. It is not a job that should be done by military minds.” General MacArthur’s own personal* dignity and position must not be allowed to stand between the .United Nations and the attempt to re-educate the Japanese people and bring them into the comity of nations. “If he will not subordinate his dignity, then I say with great respect he must go. The Far East is the powder keg of the world.” The Minister of State, Mr N. J. NoelBakqr, pointed out the difficulties of the Military Government in Japan and said that the United States Government had shown itself willing and anxious to share the burden of solving these difficulties with her Allies. There was no suggestion that the final decision on policy would be taken about Japan by America without consultation with her Allies. _ Referring to the United States policy in China, Mr Noel-Baker declared he utterly repudiated Mr Callaghan’s suggestion that the Americans were attempting to establish political control over the Chinese Government regarding the so-called Communists. The Government was anxious that all the difficulties in China should be solved without further bloodshed. “I am quite certain it will not be in the general interest of the world if any-’ body attempts to obstruct the reoccupation of Manuchuria by the forces of the Government we recognise to-day,” he said.