2024/12/27

Taiwan Today

Taiwan Review

From the editorial page

August 01, 1974
United Daily News - Tanaka's Comeuppance

The Lien Ho Pao (United Daily News) of July 18 said the shortsightedness and selfassertiveness of Kakuei Tanaka had led to Japanese cabinet changes.

The paper said: "Five days after Deputy Premier Takeo Miki pulled out, Finance Minister Takeo Fukuda resigned. The resignations are partly an expression of dissatisfaction with Tanaka's management of the recent Upper House elections. An even stronger motive was Tanaka's attacks on Miki and Fukuda during the campaign.

"Prime Minister Tanaka's domestic and foreign policies have antagonized the electorate. Further disintegration of the Liberal Democratic Party could bring about Tanaka's defeat when the party chooses its chief next July.

"Japan needs a great and broad-minded leader. Weakening of the LDP can benefit only the Communists. The biggest threat to Japan's security lies in Communist infiltration."

On July 23 the same paper called on the 1974 Conference of Sino-Korean-Japanese Professors to rebuke the Communists.

The paper said: "Asian security and world freedom are two facets of the same thing. Current world turmoil results from the expansion of Communist power in Asia.

"Since the Chinese Communists usurped the Chinese main land, Asia has never been free from the threat of aggression. If the Communists succeed in Asia, Western Europe and North America will be next.

"Asian scholars should rebuke and correct concepts of appeasement, negotiation and detente with the Communists. The need is for Asian collective security and world anti-Communism."

The Chung Hua Jih Pao (China Daily News) of July 19 said there is no possibility of reopening Japan-Taiwan air services of China Airlines and Japan Air Lines.

The paper said: "We don't believe the new Japanese foreign minister, Toshio Kimura, will change the Tanaka government's policy toward the Republic of China.

"Kimura is a pro-Maoist and will continue the efforts of his predecessor, Masayoshi Ohira, to please the Chinese Communists.

"The new foreign minister said he hoped to conclude a 'peace treaty' with the Chinese Communists and reopen civilaviation relations with the Republic ofChina. The two goals are incompatible. If Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka surmounts his cabinet crises and Kimura negotiates the treaty, resumption of civil aviation ties with the Republic of China can be only an illusion or a gesture preliminary to other intrigues."

China Times Russo - U.S. detente

The Chung Kuo Shih Pao (China Times) of July 2 said detente with Moscow is more in the U.S. interest than any "relaxation of tensions" with the Peiping regime.

The paper said: "The U.S.- U.S.S.R. summit is winding up with agreements on cooperation in heart-transplant research, cooperation in the search for energy sources, expanded trade and limitation on development of missile systems.

"President Nixon was warmly welcomed. The Soviets need help from the Americans. The United States may help boost Russian agricultural production and provide advanced electronic equipment.

"The Chinese Communists are not happy with U.S.- U.S.S.R. detente, which is more beneficial to Americans than any relaxation of tensions with the Peiping regime. This is because the nuclear capability of the Maoists is not advanced. The Soviet Union, not the Chinese Communists, is the threat to U.S. security for at least the next 10 years."

Central Daily News - Another power struggle

The Chung Yang Jih Pao (Central Daily News) of July 1 said the Chinese Communists are engaged in another power struggle.

The paper said: "Big character posters have reappeared on the walls of cities and towns. Followers of various factions are threatening, accusing and even killing each other. Seven hundred and two refugees from Kwangtung province poured into Hongkong last month. This is the highest number for June in the last 12 years.

"In some of recent wall posters, Chiang Ching has been called Empress Wu (of the T'ang dynasty, known for her lasciviousness and statecraft). Yao Wen-yuan was dubbed 'the donkey headed eunuch.' The posters are a prelude to bloody struggle.

"During the 'cultural revolution,' the Chinese Communists had the military forces as a referee to keep the situation under control. Now the army has involved itself in the struggle by standing behind Chou En-lai's clique against Chiang Ching's 'urban militia.' To create even a nominal leadership by uniting military, cadres and the masses has become impossible.

"Mao Tse-tung is old and ailing. Whether he can hang on in the present struggle is doubtful. His political life may end before his death."

The Chung Kuo Shih Pao (China Times) of June 27 said a stormy summer lies ahead for Chinese Communist leaders.

The paper said: "The recent appearance of big character posters and renewal of bloody conflicts are new developments in the anti Lin Piao, anti-Confucius campaign.

"Top Chinese Communist leaders are not agreed on the purposes of this movement.

The radical Yao Wen-yuan said the intention is to solve leadership problems at high levels. The rehabilitated Teng Hsiao-ping said the objective is to criticize wrong thoughts, not individuals. The Politburo under Chiang Ching's control is encouraging attacks on local leaders by name.

"Such big character poster names as Tseng Ssu-yu, Ting Sheng, Kung Shih-chuan, Hsieh Chen-hua and Wang Chia-tao are remnants of the Lin Piao clique. But radical Wu Teh and Hua Kuo-feng are also under attack. This indicates that once under way, class struggle cannot be completely controlled.

"Radicals are using big character posters and violence to bid for leadership. Though attaining party power at the last congress, the Chiang Ching clique has not been able to control the whole situation."

On July 4 the same paper said the Communist bloc is disintegrating.

The paper said: "The Communist bloc is no longer united. Chinese Communist and Soviet relations are growing steadily worse. Moscow's control over Eastern Europe and Peiping's influence over the Communists of Asian countries have been weakened.

"No Communist ruler is in complete control. Anti-Communist activities include those of both ideology and action.

"In Red China, radicals are dissatisfied with the 'Shanghai communique' and Peiping-Washington relations, although Chou En-lai has attributed the 'smiling offensive' to Mao Tse-tung.

"Big character posters are being used by the mainland people to expose the tyranny and cor ruption of Communist cadres. Chiang Ching is labeled as a 'modern Wu Tse-tien' (an empress of the T'ang dynasty), Yao Wen-yuan as a 'donkey-headed eunuch,' Chou En-lai as 'a reactionary leader of the Liu Shao-chi faction' and Teng Hsiao-ping as a 'resuscitated Liu Shao-chi.' "

The English-language China News of July 10 urged Senator Henry Jackson to reconsider his views of China policy.

The paper said: "What is there in a visit to Peiping that pulls the wool over the eyes of highly intelligent and principled men?

"Senator Henry Jackson is one of the most respected members of the U.S. Upper House and a prospective Democratic candidate for president in 1976.

"Senator Jackson visited the Chinese mainland last week. The Communists were sufficiently impressed with his importance to see that he had a hospital meeting with the ailing Chou En-lai. Whereupon the junior senator from Washington state returned home and advocated immediate U.S. recognition of the Chinese Communists.

"He seems to have predicated his endorsement on Peiping's antagonism toward the Soviet Union. For various reasons, Senator Jack son is a bitter opponent of the U.S.S.R. He thinks that to align the United States with Peiping will be a severe blow to the Russian Communists.

"Before he goes further, Senator Jackson - who prides himself on fair-mindedness - ought to pause and consider several points.

"First, the enemy of the United States is Communism, and that includes both the Russian and Chinese branches, not to mention those of North Vietnam and North Korea.

"Communists have their differences. But the destruction of the United States is not one of them. Annageddon will pit the United States and its allies against the Communists of all stripes and descriptions.

"Second, the Chinese Communists have shown in both word and action that they hate one superpower as much as the other. What they have had to say to Senator Jackson is completely at odds with their official position.

"Third, the United States has a long-established alliance with the Republic of China which can not be transformed from diplomatic to liaison status at the wave of Senator Jackson's hand.

"Presumably the senator accepts, as too many other Americans do, the permanence of the Communists' hold on the main land. He ignores or knows little about a power struggle which was increasing in intensity even as he was visiting Peiping and admiring the wily Chou. We have nearly 16 million people on this island who would die to the last man, woman and child before accepting a life under Communism. Better dead than Red is no mere slogan in the Republic of China.

"If the United States were to move in the direction recommended by Senator Jackson, it would be ordaining hot war in the Taiwan Straits and creating conditions under which a world conflict could easily erupt.

"President Nixon and the American government have al ready committed themselves to a solution of the China problem by the Chinese. Having done so, the proper international role of the United States is to maintain the status quo in China relations.

"Once events have taken their course on the mainland, much will be changed. This is no time for the United States to rock the China boat and interfere in the final and momentous decision of the Chinese people."

China News - The price of peace

The China News of July 5 said freedom is too high a price for peace.

The paper said: "President Nixon returned from the Soviet Union with a 'peace in our time' report. People do want peace. Unfortunately, many of them are living under leaders and governments which do not.

"Or they are caught up in circumstances which make peace difficult or unobtainable.

"If the U.S.S.R. truly wanted peace, why was Mr. Nixon unable to negotiate limitation of offensive nuclear weapons?

"The Chinese Communists do not want peace. They are trying to create a Third World bloc from which to attack the superpowers.

"Peace should be easy enough to attain in the Middle East. Israel wants security. The Arab countries want their lands back. The Palestinians want a homeland. All are attainable.

"Despite the Mideast ceasefire, there is small likelihood of making peace within the foreseeable future. Neither side will yield on essentials.

"How is there to be peace between the Republic of China and the Chinese Communists? Their terms require our destruction. We tried in the 1930s and 40s to work out a modus vivendi. We followed the counsel of the United States and attempted coalition.

"Mao Tse-tung and his ilk would have none of it. So peace is impossible. The war must go on to a final decision.

"Mr. Nixon's peacemaker, Henry Kissinger, supposedly ended the Vietnam war. That is a peace to which President Nixon still points with pride.

"But it is a peace only for the Americans, who are gone from Vietnam militarily.
There is no peace for Vietnamese.

"If President Nixon's words are intended to imply that war is the ultimate disastrous evil, we must disagree.

"Enslavement is worse. Life with no slightest breath of freedom is worse. The destruction of one's culture and beliefs is worse ."

The Chung Yang Jih Pao of July 5 said the exaggeration of peace prospects is not good for the free world.

The paper said: "Though several agreements were reached, the summit between Nixon and Brezhnev has not assured Russo American detente. There is no limitation of offensive missiles and no solution of Mideast and other world problems.

"Although less die-hard line in dealing with foreign affairs, Brezhnev is still out to communize the world.

"He gave Nixon a warm welcome, sent a representative to Peiping to negotiate the border dispute and freed a critic of the regime in attempt to show the Soviet wants world peace and respects civil rights.

"However, we should not for get the bloody suppression of the Czech freedom movement, military moves in the Mideast and the oppression of intellectuals.

"Nixon and Kissinger dream of checking the Soviets by uniting with the Maoists. The Soviets bear a grudge for that. With its nuclear weapons and growing sea power, the U.S.S.R. is not interested in detente."

The China News of June 21 said NATO is still the Western shield of free world security.

The paper said: "Governmental changes in France seem to have had one happy result. The foolish feud within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been patched up.

"NATO has been the shield of the Western European community for a quarter of a century.

"As Kissinger told the other NATO foreign ministers, this is no time to weaken the alliance militarily. Crucial negotiations with the Soviet Union lie ahead. If the U.S.S.R. is able to divide, it will conquer.

"A strong and united NATO could, on the other hand, persuade the Soviet Union that armaments can be reduced and tensions eased only on a mutual basis.

"The Soviet strategy in mid Europe where East and West meet is opportunistic. If the West shows weakness or schisms, the Kremlin will press ahead.

"But the U.S.S.R. does not want a big war which would mean nuclear showdown with the United States. No matter who won, or whether anyone won, the heart lands of European civilization would be devastated along with the United States and Soviet Union.

"A reasonably strong NATO will keep the Russian Communists in check and possibly lead to reduction of forces on both sides.

"France, West Germany and Great Britain constitute the European heart of NATO. Standing behind the forces of these countries are the Americans in West Germany and at their nuclear control boards.

"This is an array though which the Soviets can never pass, pro vided the West retains a reasonable semblance of unity.

"It was France which began to rock the boat. William Rogers, the former U.S.
secretary of state, lacked the negotiating brilliance and pliability of Kissinger. Franco American relations went from bad to worse.

"Now Kissinger is planning to meet with France's new president, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, after the signing of the new Atlantic Charter at Brussels.

"That should put the crowning touch on the rapprochement between Paris and Washington.

"Fifty million Frenchmen have not been wrong in trusting the United States. The Americans are correct in their presumption that in the end France must opt for Atlantic solidarity.

"The free world can be thankful that the Americans and French are back on the right track - together - and that Western Europe can sleep with confidence behind the reinforced walls of NATO."

On June 5, the same paper said the cooling of Peiping-U.S. relations is due to the Chinese Communists' failure to get their hands on Taiwan.

The paper said: "Much is being said these days about the deteriorating relations between the United States and the Chinese Communists.

"On the Chinese Communist side, this relationship has always been as phony as a cobra's smile.

"Peiping does not want American friendship. Mao Tse-tung and his cohorts are coldly and implacably opposed to everything for which the United States stands.

"They do not want a big American presence in Red China. They do not want American correspondents roaming around the mainland. They do not want American technical assistance except where it is unavoidable, as in the training of Boeing 707 pilots and mechanics.

"The United States and the U.S.S.R. are Chinese Communism's No.1 and No.2 enemies, and in that order, despite the dirtier names recently used to describe the Soviets.

"Americans believe in freedom. They are opposed to socialism. Russian Communists are political and economic totalitarians. The Chinese and Russian Communists understand each other. Their differences are of propinquity rather than ideology.

"Red China was impelled by one motive in its smiling approach to the United States.

"The intention was to drive a wedge between the United States and the Republic of China, destroy remaining Chinese freedom and enslave Taiwan.

"Peiping hoped that if the Americans did not deliver Taiwan on a silver platter, they would at least get out of the way.

"The United States did not respond as the Maoists had hoped. Americans did sincerely try to relax tensions with erstwhile enemies. They also kept their word not to desert 'old friends' (the free Chinese of Taiwan) in the process. They maintained military relations with the ROC, continued to respect the mutual defense treaty and sent a strong and respected ambassador to replace outgoing Walter McConaughy.

"The cooling of Peiping's enthusiasm for the United States has much more to do with failure to make progress in crossing the Taiwan Straits than with the power struggle on the mainland."

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