See how it looked in 1949

U.S. Fights Mao Role in UN

By The Associated Press

Washington

The Communist government of China has formally requested recognition by the United States. The State Department reported the request was made in a letter to the American consul general at Communist-controlled Peiping over the week end.

The letter, signed by Gen. Chou En-lai, Premier and Foreign Minister, said: “I consider that it is necessary that there be established normal diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and all countries of the world.”

Identical notes were reported sent to diplomats from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and presumably Great Britain in Peiping.

By Homer Metz
Chief of United Nations News Bureau of The Christian Science Monitor
Lake Success

How long can the United Nations defer recognition of the Communist regime as the legitimate government of China?

This would seem to be the crux of the vexatious Chinese problem insofar as it will face the world organization during the current session of the General Assembly.

Even the most fervent anti-Communists among the delegates and in the secretariat concede that the UN cannot withhold recognition indefinitely as long as the Communist armies control vast reaches of territory in China.

As events now are shaping up, it appears likely that the UN will continue to recognize the Nationalists as the rightful rulers of China for the time being, but that the position of the Communists in the international arena will grow rapidly stronger.

In all probability, the initiative in the UN will have to be taken by the Soviet bloc states.

It is true that the Nationalist government has brought formal charges in the Assembly against Russia of interference in China’s internal affairs and of endangering the peace in the Far East. But neither the western powers nor the Nationalists themselves are in a position to take the offensive in any real sense of the word.

In the diplomatic arena, Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Romania already have recognized the Peiping regime of Mao Tze-tung. Albania and Yugoslavia have indicated they will follow suit.

Two Immediate Results

This quick recognition is likely to have two immediate results, according to the best informed opinion here:

1. Russia is expected to challenge the legitimacy of the Nationalist representatives at Lake Success both in the General Assembly and in the Security Council.

There is a possibility that such a challenge might even be forthcoming immediately in the Security Council when the question of a census of arms and military effectiveness, which Russia vigorously opposes, is taken up. It almost certainly will arise when the Chinese Nationalists’ charges are discussed in the Assembly’s Political Committee.

2. The great haste with which Russia and its satellites have recognized the Communist government, on the other hand, is expected to persuade some doubtful states that Nationalist China’s charges of collusion between Moscow and Mao are justified.

Both results, if they come, can be counted upon to add greatly to the UN’s difficulties in coping with the problem and to increase the volume of vituperation and invective at the Assembly meetings.

Protective Step

Meanwhile, hints appearing in the London press that Great Britain may accord reasonably early recognition to the Peiping regime are extremely disturbing both to the Nationalist representatives here and to the United States.

The British, with extensive commercial interests in China which they are naturally anxious to safeguard as best they can, seem inclined to take a more “realistic” view of the situation in China than either the United States or the Nationalist delegation.

British spokesmen here, however, have attempted to minimize the prospect of quick recognition.

It seems obvious that the United States cannot persuade the UN to delay recognition indefinitely if the British and some other countries, apart from the Soviet bloc, oppose such an effort as “impractical.”

In any event, the United States is being maneuvered into a position which it probably will find increasingly difficult to defend as time goes on.

After having denounced the Nationalist regime as “corrupt” and ineffective in its White Paper, the United States now must assume the role of outstanding champion of the regime.

Pressure on U.S. Mounts

Moreover, it must contend with what doubtless will be increased pressure from American commercial interests in the Far East who are generally credited with adhering to the same “realistic” attitude as their British counter parts.

If the British move toward recognition with any degree of speed, the United States is likely to find itself almost alone in defending the Nationalists in the UN.

At the same time, it certainly would seem to be in the best American interests to defer recognition of the Communists by the UN as long as possible.

This is especially true as regards the seating of a Communist delegation in the Chinese position at the Security Council table, which Russia is expected to demand in the near future.

If a Soviet demand of this sort does nothing else, it will weaken any enthusiasm the State Department might have for moves and maneuvers designed to eliminate or seriously modify the Big Five veto in the Security Council.

A Communist delegation on the Security Council would add considerably to Russia’s influence in that group. And it certainly is not outside the bounds of possibility that a government of an extreme leftist tinge ultimately may come to power in France or even Britain.

In such an event, Russia would be the dominant power on the council, and the only recourse the United States would have left would be the much-denounced veto.

It is interesting to recall that sometime ago, Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko, envisaging just such a development, warned an American spokesman who was criticizing Soviet abuse of the veto that “it is wise not to pollute the water; you may have to drink it yourself some time.”