In recent weeks the Soviet-backed puppet regime in Peiping has been repeatedly harping on its favorite subject of "liberation" of . The vociferous clamor of the Chinese Communists, which has always been accompanied by bitter attacks on American "imperialism," is now climaxed by the regime's announcement that its "government council" has unanimously adopted a program calling for, among other things, "determined action" of the "liberation" of this island. This program is said to have been recommended by “Premier-Foreign Minister' Chou En-lai in laying his policy in foreign affairs before the "council," and it is a program advocated by the No. 2 Chinese Communist to "shatter the designs of the U.S. aggressive circles in creating a new tension" in Asia. It is further reported that following the adoption of Chou En-lai's program and his announcement that the Chinese Communists would' "brook no foreign interference," his clamor for the "liberation" of Taiwan has been' echoed by such renegades of the Kuomintang as Chang Chih-chung, fellow travelers like Chang Po-chun, "chairman of the Chinese Peasants and Workers' Democratic Party," and Communist Army men meeting in congresses in the north, northeast and north west of the Chinese mainland. In our opinion, all this noise made by the Peiping puppet regime in announcing its determination to "liberate” is nothing but an empty threat which need not be taken seriously. There can be no doubt that the Chinese Communists would be glad to seize this island if they could. The fact, however, remains that this is an ambition on their part which can never be realized. Five years ago, the Communists did attempt the seizure of (Quemoy), which is within a stone's throw of Amoy-presumably as a preparatory step to the conquest of . But the Communist units which were sent across that narrow strip of water to occupy Kinmen were totally annihilated by the defenders. Ever since that disastrous defeat inflicted on them the Communists have not attempted a second invasion; nay, they have not even dared to attack the smaller islands off the coast of Chekiang and Fukien which are still held by the armed forces of Free China. In the meantime, owing to the various reforms carried out in and the generous assistance extended to us by the , the fighting strength of Free China's army, navy and air force has increased immeasurably during the last four years. Moreover, the U. S. Seventh Fleet, which was ordered by former President Harry S. Truman to protect this is land against Communist attacks, is still patrolling the Taiwan Straits. Such being the case, ,the Peiping regime cannot but be aware that any attempt it may make to conquer this bastion of Free China will stand absolutely no chance of success. In publicizing their determination to "liberate" , therefore, the Communists must have been prompted by two, motives. The first is obviously to divert the attention of the Chinese people on the main land from their unbearable sufferings, including the damage done by the recent floods. The second is to carryon a sort of war of nerves in order to place themselves in a better bargaining position. Elated with his recent success at Geneva - a success which was made possible by France's war-weariness and Great Britain's insatiable desire for more trade with the Chinese mainland - Chou En-lai apparently thinks that by threatening to take military action against Taiwan he might be able to wring more concessions from the democratic nations, especially those which have developed a habit of appeasing the Communist aggressors. The people of Free China will never be frightened by 's empty threat. We must. However, continue to augment our armed might, for our task is not only to ensure the security of but also to strive for the liberation of the mainland at an early date.