United States Aid For China May Hinge On Madame Chiang's Appeal

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 5

United States Aid For China May Hinge On Madame Chiang's Appeal

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 (Rec. 7.5 pm).—Repeating today that China needed a top American military figure to advise the Nationalist Government in the war against the Communists, the Chinese Premier, Dr. Sun Eo, told the Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press correspondent that either General MacArthur or Licut.-General Albert Wedemeyer would be a good

choice. When asked if such an adviser might not run into the same inertia and frustrations as the late General Stilwell during the Japanese war, Dr. Sun Do replied, “I think China learned a lesson from the Stilwell affair. ”

He declared that if the United States sent an outstanding military adviser the National Government should give him whatever freedom of action he needed. Meanwhile, the United Press correspondent at Washington says the success of Madame Chiang Kai-shek's mission to the United States appeared today to hinge primarily on public and Congressional reaction rather than any ouick switch in the Administration’s cool regard for the present Nationalist Government. Madame Chiang Kai-shek left Shanghai today aboard an American nlane and is due in Washington on Wednesday. United States policy-makers let it be known in advance that China’s First Lady will have a hard job m convincing them that the United States should become deeply involved in China’s civil war, but the big question mark attached to her mission was admitted in official quarters to be the influence she may wield on Congress and American public opinion. There is some official apprehension in Washington that Madame Chiang’s visit will result in public clamour for the Administration to “do something about China” without heed to the possible consequences.

American officials doubt the wisdom of all-out aid to China’s Government. because such a move, might be accepted a£ a challenge by Russia. On top of the Communist success in Manchuria and North China. Moscow is regarded as being in a better position to channel aid to the Communist forces than the United States is to heip Chiang. Some authorities believe the United States and Russia might end up in a war of their own which might start in China.

Many officials express serious doubts that large-scale military aid could prop up the National regime for one year, let alone five. A largescale commitment in China, they believe, would have a good chance of failing, and it might also jeopardise United States efforts to shore up Western Fzrope against Communism. President Truman ancT Mr. Marshall are understood to be opposed to Madame Chiang’s personal appeal for help. She is expected to receive invitations to testify on China’s needs before Congressional committees. Madame Chiang’s eloquence, charm, and persuasiveness were demonstrated in February, 1943, when she addressed a joint session of Congress to appeal for wartime aid to China.