Commenting on U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman's recent speech in San Francisco, Taipei newspaper editorial writers have expressed mixed feelings.
The United Daily News said:
"The purpose of the Hilsman speech was to explain why the United States had adopted its current Peiping policy. His basic position corresponded with the view already expressed by U.S. policy makers. However, Hilsman was more frank in stating the long-term expectations of U.S. policy. From our point of view, this is wishful thinking and impractical. Even from the point of view of American interest, unfavorable and dangerous factors are involved.
"Mr. Hilsman's description of Peiping's difficulties, uneasiness, stubbornness, and ignorance conforms to the facts. But he estimated that the failure of Peiping's Great Leap Forward had not weakened its power and he therefore concluded that there was no reason to believe the regime would be overthrown.
"This conclusion was reckless. We cannot agree, because we are of the opinion that continued existence of the Chinese Communist regime does not contradict the fact of increasing Communist weakness. The Chinese Reds have survived because the power strong enough to topple Peiping is restrained by the paradoxical excuse that this is in the interest of the free world. Thus Peiping has the time to tide over its crises. Still, the Communist regime is shaky and does not have the ability to deal with any crisis.
"The speech reviewed Sino-U.S. contacts during the past century, mentioned the Sino-U.S. alliance during World War II, and did not ignore the twelve million Chinese on the island of Taiwan nor the masses of Chinese on the mainland. The hearts of the Chinese people were warmed and Sino-U.S. relations given new importance. The United States has not ignored the Chinese people on Taiwan. It fully respects its close ties with the people and the government of the Republic of China and 'conceives such relationship not as a historical accident but as a matter of principle.' This part of Mr. Hilsman's speech is not only worthy of praise but is a great comfort to us.
"It is surprising that Mr. Hilsman cited the open door policy. The policy was to guarantee China's independence and territorial integrity. We certainly approve such a guarantee if the U.S. reaffirms it today. We would consider it unwise and naive if used as a basic concept for U.S.-Peiping talks. In our opinion, the United States would not sow the dragon's seed of hate by opposing the Chinese Communist regime and its occupation of the mainland. On the contrary, the Chinese people will forever be grateful to the U.S. if it does. While the Chinese people oppose a divided China, the plan for two Chinas is an illusion and impractical. Should U.S. policy develop in this direction, American interest will not be served."
The Young Warriors Daily News said:
"Because the speech received formal White House approval before delivery, it seems to represent President Johnson's opinion. It is true the speech has not closed the door against improved relations with the Peiping regime, but says that 'so long as Peiping insists on the destruction of friendly U.S. ties with free China as the sine qua non for any basic improvement in relations between ourselves and Communist China, there can be no prospect for such an improvement.' Hilsman emphasized that the United States will not sell itself or the interests of its allies in order to appease the Chinese Communist chieftains, and will continue to maintain the non-recognition and trade embargo policy. This is a direct blow to the Chinese Communists and a sobering decision for American businessmen who are interested only in seeking profits. We welcome Hilsman's speech and admire his insight. We believe the speech promotes friendly and cooperative Sino-U.S. relations."
The English-language China News expressed fear Hilsman was signaling "sharp departure" from the traditional U.S. policy on China.
Hilsman seemed to be inviting Red China to "let bygones be bygones," the paper said, and attributed such thinking to the "wishful thinking or illusions of a group of scholars and policy planners in the United States whose main interest is appeasement to clear the way for a two-China formula."
The editorial asked whether the destiny of the Chinese people is to be controlled by "a few alien ivory tower experts," and asserted the government had been "too soft and dependent in its foreign policy." It called for a review of policy and an explanation to the people.
The Cheng Hsin Hsin Wen Pao said Hilsman's remarks have "two Chinas" undertones.
The New Life Daily News said:
"Mr. Hilsman explained U.S. policy toward Peiping is to keep the door open and wait for the Chinese Communists to change. This line of thinking scarcely can be applied to the Chinese Communists. They derive their strength from bias and prejudice born of ambition and perversion, and they have counted on this strength to achieve their final success.
Commenting on Mr. Hilsman's statement that "We have no reason to believe the Chinese Communist regime will be overthrown," the paper inquired as to the basis of his judgment. The paper said:
"According to the American way of thinking, a regime that cannot feed its people and is brutal cannot last long. We do not know why the regime should not be overthrown. As far as facts on the mainland are concerned, the regime is hated not only by the people but by its own cadres. Events that once were considered impossible already have taken place.
"The speech proves that Mr. Hilsman does not understand the Chinese Communists and the mainland situation. We hope that Mr. Hilsman and other American policymakers will keep a copy of Lenin's works on their desks, as did the late Secretary of State John Foster Dulles.
Cabinet Reshuffle
Taipei newspapers have praised Vice President and former Premier Chen Cheng for his accomplishments in reconstructing free China and have welcomed Finance Minister C. K. Yen as the new Premier.
The United Daily News said: "Vice President Chen Cheng's personal prestige, leadership, initiative, perseverance, and courage have played an important part in the progress of free China.
"Chen was appointed governor of Taiwan in 1949 when the mainland was in chaos. He first initiated currency reform. That blocked inflation and consolidated the foundation for stabilized economy.
'C. K. Yen is one of the leading political personalities of free China. He has two prominent qualifications: First, he has administered Taiwan's economic and financial affairs since the island was restored to the Republic of China in 1945. Second, he has kept close contact with U.S. leaders in finance and foreign aid.
"But actions expected of him are not limited to financial and economic construction. The new cabinet should rally all possible strength at home and abroad to create a new approach to counterattack.
"Internal and external problems and bottlenecks must be overcome. . . It is necessary to initiate an industrial kickoff, to promote international trade and improve the taxation system. Diplomatically, the cabinet should find an effective way to cope with the trend toward international appeasement and to win more sympathy and support for our counterattack.'"
The Tribune said: "Premier Chen has created a miracle on this island. He has succeeded in eradicating Communist agents, has carried out land reform, has encouraged overseas Chinese and foreign capital, brought about construction of Shihmen dam, spurred local self-government and economic reconstruction, and has implemented diplomatic ties with African states.
"C. K. Yen is noted for his liberalism. Some people believe he will organize a financial-economic cabinet, as the late O. K. Yu did in 1954. However, present conditions do not permit that. Yen must have a cabinet full of dynamite."
The Central Daily News said: "During the last 14 years, the Republic of China has progressed from defense to reconstruction, and from preparations for counterattack to readiness for invasion.
"Chen Cheng has contributed much to Taiwan's economic development and social stability.
"We believe C. K. Yen will continue to promote the stability and prosperity of Taiwan."
The paper urged the new premier to strengthen the build-up of this island base, to accelerate war preparations, solidify anti-Communist strength, and make better use of talented youth.
The China Daily News said: "Under the brilliant leadership of President Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng has built up Taiwan as a model province of the Three Principles of the People and a bastion of national recovery.
"His land reform has provided the key to rural prosperity, to industrial development, and to social stability. His three four-year economic reconstruction plans have made Taiwan the most prosperous area in Southeast Asia."
The Cheng Hsin Hsin Wen Pao said:
"During the five years of the second Chen cabinet since 1958, the Taiwan economy has seen overall improvement in agriculture, industry, international payments, and finance.
"Five years ago, free China had a huge unfavorable balance in international trade. This year it has a favorable balance. Free China's glory is also Premier Chen's glory."
The New Life Daily News said: "When Chen Cheng first was appointed Premier in 1950, he faced internal chaos and external isolation. The financial deficit ran as high as 80 per cent.
"Since he was reappointed Premier in 1958, the rate of economic growth has reached 7 per cent annually and the national income has been increased by 50 per cent.
"Although he has resigned from his concurrent post, the Vice President still can assist the President in making decisions for the nation."
The paper said it hopes for close cooperation between the Legislative Yuan and the Executive Yuan. "The Legislative Yuan should encourage and support the Executive Yuan in practical endeavors. National interest should be placed above politics," the paper said.
Sihanouk's Maneuvers
Taipei editorial writers have viewed Cambodia's rejection of U.S. aid and acceptance of support from the Peiping regime as a "great danger to the free world position in Southeast Asia."
The English-language China Post said:
"There are good reasons to believe that Cambodia's becoming a Communist satellite is imminent."
Citing increased Chinese Communist economic and technical aid to Cambodia and a rise in trade between the two countries, the paper added:
"The unique policy of the Communists was to make that tiny country more and more dependent on them economically by supplying whatever the Cambodians needed, regardless of whether or not they can produce such commodities themselves.
"It was, however, not the mounting quantity of aid which the Peiping regime could afford to give that lured Cambodia astray. It was the ways and means by which the Communists made use of their aid that helped them seize control over the country.
"While U.S. aid was given on a piece-meal basis with a content threat of discontinuation, the Communists have never failed to make promises to provide assistance on a long-term basis with no strings attached.
"This difference in the method of providing assistance made the Cambodians believe that Communists are more dependable."
The Central Daily News said:
"The Soviet bloc is intensifying its aggression in Southeast Asia while easing its threat and talking about peace in western Europe.... The apparent Moscow-Peiping split has not interrupted their cooperation in aggression against the free world."
The United Daily News said that Cambodia is ready to be the Cuba of Southeast Asia, as indicated by the following developments:
(1) Sihanouk's designation of Peiping trained Prince Norodom as his political successor.
(2) The refusal of U.S. aid by the Sihanouk government.
(3) The conclusion of a civil aviation agreement with the Chinese Communists.
(4) Cambodia's consent to be Peiping's protege.
Sihanouk's closer ties with Peiping not only will provide the Communists with more opportunities for subversion and infiltration in Southeast Asia but also will pave the way for Communist military actions against the free countries in this part of the world, the paper said.
Commenting on Sihanouk's proposal to neutralize Cambodia and South Vietnam, the New Life Daily News said that he is reviving his old intrigues to slow down the anti-Communist movement.
The paper said:
"Sihanouk first proposed a neutral area to stretch from the Southeast Asian peninsula to India at the Geneva Conference on Laos in 1961. Recent developments in the Saigon government have hindered anti-Communist activities in Vietnam and Kennedy's assassination has brought about changes in the U.S. government. Sihanouk is taking advantage of these developments to renew his proposal in a plot to weaken the anti-Communist efforts of the United States and Vietnam.
"Sihanouk has been playing around with the idea of neutralism for several years now by accepting aid from both the Soviets and the United States. Though Sihanouk recently rejected U.S. aid, President Johnson sent a special envoy to Cambodia. Sihanouk not only received the envoy with courtesy, but conferred special honors on him. This clearly shows that Sihanouk's rejection of U.S. aid was merely a pretense.
"He wants to exploit the conflicting Vietnam attitudes held by the United States and France in order to sell his own Communist line of neutralism for Southeast Asia."
Chou's African Visit
Editorial writers warned the free world to beware of Chinese Communist activities in Africa.
The Central Daily News said: "During recent years, the Communist bloc has suffered repeated reverses in Africa. We do not think the visit of Chou En-lai and Chen Yi will alter the situation.
"However, we must point out that Moscow and Peiping are trying to profit from conflict among the African states. We hope the Western countries will strengthen their cooperation and friendship with Africa to minimize the opportunity for Communist infiltration.
"Diplomatic successes of the Republic of China have been important in blocking Communist penetration of Africa. During the last three years, newly independent African states recognizing free China have increased from 2 to 18. Recognition of Peiping has been increased by 5.
"Somalia is a country of fewer than 2 million population. Moscow and Peiping have backed its territorial claims against neighboring countries. Thus this small state on the Red Sea has become a base for Communist expansion in Africa."
The Tribune said: "The Communist bloc is trying to communize the whole world. Africa is the most vulnerable area because it has just become independent of colonial rule and lacks experience in statecraft.
"The purposes of Chou En-lai's African visit are to: (1) seek new friends and alleviate the danger of isolation; (2) gain support in Peiping's ideological dispute with Moscow and border conflict with New Delhi; (3) offset the African impression that the Communists are dedicated to subversion; and (4) persuade the non-allied countries to invite the Chinese Communists to their next international conference."
The English-language China News said Peiping is launching its diplomatic offensive in Africa in an attempt to offset recent gains of the Republic of China.
The paper suggested the Republic of China take prompt measures to counter Peiping's intrigues:
"Most important, we can continue with and enlarge our programs of agricultural, fisheries, and medical assistance at the technical levels. These undertakings have done more than anything else to win friends and influence people in Africa. The Africans have been quick to contrast down-to-earth, useful help with the Communist practice of big talk and very little do.
"Additionally, we should step up diplomatic activity and two-way visitations. Seeing is believing for the African leaders who come to Taiwan.
"Thirdly, we must give more attention to our information output for Africa—utilizing French and African languages as well as English. The Africans who come here for technical training attest that they know little of the Republic of China, of Taiwan, and of the facts involved in the Communist usurpation of the mainland. These are deficiencies which must be remedied.
"Free China has no reason to fear confrontation with the Communists in Africa. We are well ahead—and that is where we can stay, provided time, energy, and imagination are devoted to prompt acceptance of the Chou-Chen challenge."