The conclusion of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty on December 2 received heavy treatment in all local papers which, while hailing it as a landmark in the diplomatic relations between the two countries, observed that it was important not only because it helped to ensure peace and stability in the Pacific but also because it showed unequivocally the US stand with respect to Free China.
Viewing the Sino-American treaty just concluded as a turning point in the diplomatic relations of the two nations in the past ten years, the Central Daily News in two leading articles said editorially that its signing had forged an essential link in the Pacific defense chain. "The clamour for the 'liberation of Taiwan' by the Communists in the past eight months," the paper continued, "has great political and military significance. Politically, it was aimed at thwarting the conclusion of a defense treaty between China and the United States. Militarily, it was an overture of overall military adventure by the Communists in the Pacific. In view of this fact, the signing of the treaty can be justifiably regarded as a victory in the struggle against the Communists."
Seeing in the signing of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty the beginning of a new era of friendly cooperation between the two sister republics situated on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, the Hsin Sheng Pao, in two consecutive articles on December 2 and 4 asserted that this latest addition to the number of security pacts the United States has entered into with many Asian nations has supplied a missing link in the chain of the system of collective security in the Pacific area. "Communist strategy," continued the paper, "is global in scope. It can only be effectively met with the united efforts of the free world." The inclusion of the clause "to resist armed attack and Communist subversive-activities directed from without against their territorial integrity and political stability" under Article II of the treaty was regarded as of great significance, because in no other treaty of the same nature between the United States and other nations has resistance against Communist aggression been so outspokenly express ed. "It may be taken," added the paper, "as a new tendency in the global anti-Communist crusade by the free world and will not fail to bolster the morale of the people on both sides of Iron Curtain and their confidence in the ultimate triumph of the cause of freedom and democracy.
Commenting on the same topic, the Chung Hua Jih Pao on December 2 and 4 said editorially that the conclusion of the treaty was an embodiment of the traditional friendship between China and the United States. "Now that this treaty has been signed," the paper went on to point out, "all the freedom-loving peoples will be glad to see that" the United States is fast completing the overall defense structure in the Far East and reasserting her leadership in resisting further Communist aggression in this part of the world."
Declaring that the conclusion of the bilateral defense pact was an indication of the firm stand taken by the United States in face of Communist aggression, the independent Combined Daily editorialized on December 3 that "such a pact has been long overdue. It serves to forge another indispensable link in the system of collective security established by various collective defense treaties already concluded between the United States and other countries in the Pacific area." "There are people," continued the paper, "who may think that it is not wholly satisfactory. Viewing the situation objectively, we should say that this treaty is the best that can be signed under the present circumstances. Both with respect to its spirit and wording, the treaty, while not blind to realities, is idealistic enough to place before us a vista of its future potentialities. It is a foundation upon which to base our future endeavors."
Regarding the treaty recently concluded between China and the United States as of great political significance, the Kung Lun Pao editorially stated that it would dispel whatever doubt there might be about the US stand concerning Taiwan and help to frustrate any further attempts by certain nations to make Taiwan a pawn on the chessboard of world politics to appease the Communist aggressors. "Though the treaty is defensive in nature," the paper went on to say, "it does not prevent Free China from launching a counterattack against the mainland." "We should from now on exert our utmost in promoting internal reconstruction and stepping up our preparations so as to accomplish the third stage of our national revolution at an early date," added the daily.
The Kuomintang's 60th Anniversary
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Kuomintang which fell on November 24, 1954, all the local vernaculars expressed their confidence that the party which had done much for China would not fail to lead the country to launch a successful counterattack against the mainland and to deliver our compatriots there from the communist tyranny.
"The publication to-day of a message addressed to party members by Director-General Chiang in 1949 is of particular significance, because it not only explains the reasons for the past failures of the party but also points the way for future endeavors." Thus declared the Central Daily News on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Kuomintang. "Our present position in comparison with that of 1949," continued the paper, "is much stronger, while that of the Communists is deteriorating with the passage of time. In the past five years, our party has been dedicating itself to the defense of Taiwan and the offshore islands, while preparing for the counterattack on the mainland and the deliverance of our compatriots there from the tyrannical rule of the Communists." "In this epic struggle," the paper added, "all the party members should close ranks and go ahead, united and fearless to strive for the vindication of the cause we are fighting for."
Declaring that the history of the Kuomintang is in fact the modern history of China, the Hsin Sheng Pao editorialized that "in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Kuomintang it is only fitting to review the causes of its success and failure so that it may serve as a guide in its future endeavors." The paper went on to point out the indivisibility between the fate of the nation and that of the party. "Without the Kuomintang there would have been no revolutionary movement and China would still be a despotic monarchy. In setting up an independent, democratic and sovereign state on Chinese soil, the Kuomintang has encountered untold difficulties and hardships. Our country would have long ago been enslaved by foreign imperialists but for the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and President Chiang." "The road of revolution," the paper added, "is long and devious. The 1911 revolution succeeded only after ten abortive attempts. Thereafter it met with numerous failures which culminated in the Communist rebellion and the evacuation of the mainland. However, each failure has given us a chance to review the past mistakes and to take such steps as are most conducive to our national welfare. The fall of the mainland is a serious setback for the party. But if we can follow the instructions of the Director-General and can be benefited by our past failures, the final success will still be ours."
Stating that no occasion was more appropriate for us to pause and review our past and to be benefited by the lessons we had learned the hard way, the Chung Hua Jih Pao editorialized that "we should know first of all that the Kuomintang is not afraid of failures and that only through failures can it remove the un desirable elements in its ranks and further strengthen itself." "We should also know," the paper went on to say, "that, difficult as the general situation is to-day, we are coming nearer to the day for the counterattack on the mainland and national resurgence. The treachery of the Communists has become common knowledge to all Chinese both at home and abroad, especially our compatriots on the main land. And their disregard of human instincts and acts of aggression have aroused serious misgivings on the part of the free world. We sincerely believe that the completion of the last stage of the national revolution is within sight." However, "all party members should ask them selves whether their deeds and words are in full conformity with the party principles and whether they have thoroughly carried out the instructions of the Director-General of the party," added the paper.
Expressing the view that the Kuomintang should direct its future endeavors toward the further development of its merits and the removal of its shortcomings, the independent Combined Daily said that "the Kuomintang has a glorious history, a set of coherent principles accepted by all the Chinese people, a great leader and a comparatively compact party organization. But in the process of its development, it found among its members corrupt and bureaucratic elements whose misdeeds had greatly discredited the party, thereby paving the way for the Communist upsurge." "On this auspicious occasion," the paper opined, "it behooves all party members to reflect whether they have fully lived up, both in their deeds and words to what has been expected of them."
"The past sixty years were the most momentous period in Chinese history. There were many great national and international changes in each of which the Kuomintang played a vital role. Thus the destiny of the party is indissolubly linked with that of the country-a fact recognized by all Chinese people, regardless of whether they are Kuomintang members or not." The declared the Dah Hua Evening News in its leading article. "In its struggle for national unification and independence," continued the daily, "the Kuomintang has achieved many successes, the most prominent of which were the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty, the Northern Expedition, and the victory over Japan." The China Post commented that on the 60th anniversary of the Kuomintang, "it may be fitting to review the contribution of the KMT to the modernization of China." The paper then went on to list the achievements of the party: the attainment of a status of equality with other nations, the introduction of constitutionalism, and the progress made in economic affairs. All these facts prove that it has not failed the nation. "As the leading party …. of the Republic of China," added the paper, "the Kuomintang has vast responsibilities. The road ahead is full of pitfalls, devious and long. As citizens, we have pleasure in doing the Kuomintang justice. We wish it well and even greater success in the years to come. In the success of the Kuomintang, the citizen will see the measure of his own well-being. Lean times for the KMT will mean frustration for the citizens of the Republic. KMT accomplishment will mean benefit to all of us."
Sinking of Destroyer Escort Taiping
Viewing the sinking of the destroyer escort Taiping on November 14 by Communist torpedo boats as a challenge to the free world, the Central Daily News in two consecutive editorials on November 15 and 16 observed that the new Soviet line of co-existence and friendship might prove even more dangerously effective than the belligerency which marked the last years of Stalin's malignant dictatorship. The Communist outcry for "liberation of Taiwan" should not be treated as mere propaganda. "If there is any doubt about it," the paper pointed out, "the Taiping episode may set such wishful thinking at rest. As a base for counterattack against the mainland, Taiwan, so long as it is in the hands of the Government of Free China, is a dagger in the side of the Chinese Communists and an obstacle to the realization of the Soviet blueprint for world conquest." While calling on the armed forces and the people to redouble their efforts to avenge the deceased naval officers and crew, the paper added: "The fight we are engaged in is not merely for self-survival but also for the peace and security of the free nations against the aggressive forces of the world. In view of this fact, it behooves the free world to give us all moral and material support for our common cause."
Asserting that the sinking of the destroyer escort Tai ping by Chinese Communist torpedo boats was another proof that harping on "peaceful co-existence" with the free world by the Communists did not exclude military actions on their part whenever and wherever the situation was favorable to them, the Hsin Sheng Pao in two editorials on November 15 and 19 warned the free world that "to delude itself into thinking that co-existence with the Communists is possible would only court disaster." "Compromise with the Communists in whatever form," the paper continued, "is impossible. If anything, it will only bring about more blood-shed. The recent episode shows more than anything else that the Communist ambition, instead of being confined to Taiwan and the offshore islands is aimed at the whole Pacific." The only effective way to deal with them, the paper added, "is to turn our defensive strategy into offensive, strike their heartland and destroy their military potential. No other measure can insure the peace of the Far East and the world."
Expressing high indignation over the sinking of the Taiping by the Communists and vowing vengeance for the deceased crew, the Chung Hua Jih Pao in two successive articles on November 15 and 16 served the warning that unless effective measures were taken to counteract further Communist aggressive acts, the Taipaing incident might prove the prelude to greater Communist military activities in this part of the world. "That they can overtly and successfully carry out their double offensive of 'peace' and 'armed conflict'," continued the daily, "is largely due to the fact that there exist among the free nations the so-called neutralists, who either through their fear of the Communists or out of sheer selfishness go out of their way to curry favor with the Soviet imperialists even at the expense of moral principles in the hope that they might thus be able to save their skin, with the result that the position of the free world has been greatly weakened. With the cessation of hostilities in Korea and Indo-China, Taiwan, the strong fortress of Free China, is not only a standing threat to the Communists but also an obstacle to the fulfillment of their plan for the conquest of Asia." The paper then went on to stress the strategic importance of Taiwan in the Pacific and called upon the free nations not to be lulled into a false sense of security and to close ranks in their common struggle against Communism.
Declaring that the recent cessation of Free China's military operations against the Communists was chiefly responsible for the sinking of the destroyer escort Taiping, the Combined Daily held that "the best defensive is offensive." "In our duel with the Communists in the past two months," continued the paper, we have been placed in an unfavorable position, because our hand; were tied, just as the hands of the United Nations Forces had been tied during the Korean War." The paper urged the nation's supreme command to give up defensive tactics and launch an offensive in order to bring the enemy to his knees. It also called upon the free world to give its moral and material support to Free China in our common endeavor to make the world safe for democracy.
Regarding the sinking of the destroyer escort Taiping as another test of American promise of swift retaliation in the event of sea attack, the China Post editorially stated on November 16 that "the throbbing of war-drums in the Asiatic seas, the Communist hope, will destroy the American will to fight, and shatter to bits the ties of mutual need and friendship which bind these nations together. The American and Free China forces have dared to challenge the right of Communist China to continue her aggression against Taiwan. Government leaders of these two nations have denounced Mao Tse-tung, Chou En-lai and Chu Teh in such ringing terms that welts of shame and disgrace have left a stinging brand for all the world to see. This is not easily forgiven in such animal minds—and like animals now they seek revenge."
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When the days are uneventful, we should maintain our tranquility; when something serious happens, we should be resolute in coping with it. When fortune smiles on us, we should take it lightly; when fortune is against us, we should remain unperturbed.
Tao Chueh