Columbia Features of New York distributed the following article by Irene Corbally Kuhn:
Asia is beginning to shift its alliances and, in the process, is throwing out the old for the new. Political cynicism, euphemistically tagged pragmatism, and not a good neighbor policy, impelled Kakuei Tanaka, the new premier, to break Japan's treaty with the Republic of China on Taiwan, and to forge new bonds with the Communist regime on the mainland which calls itself the 'People's Republic of China.' Mao Tse-tung's great land mass is not a Republic by Western or Platonic definition. Nor is the titular implication that the country belongs to the people a valid one, since the 800,000,000 — give or take a few million — have nothing to say about how they shall think, work, live and be governed.
"Japan's Tanaka, unlike the high ranking, university-educated ministers who preceded him, is a self-made man with a limited formal education. This circumstance may give him a greater feeling of ease when he meets with the Chinese peasant's son, Mao Tse-tung, who rules (Red) China. And even, perhaps, a feeling of superiority over Chou En-lai, the Mandarin's son, who has always played second fiddle to Mao.
"There are some oddities in the new line-up which, in the superstitious East, may be causing more uneasiness in Peking than in Taipei. For one thing, the prime minister of Japan shares the same name, but 'not the blood lines, of the imperious Baron Tanaka who was also Premier on July 7, 1927 when he delivered the 'Tanaka Memorial' to the Emperor. This was the infamous plan Baron Tanaka had conceived, setting out in detail the program to be followed by Japan in order to gain mastery over China as a prelude to further conquests. History records that Japan followed the earlier Tanaka's ambitious dreams, invading Manchuria in 1931, and using this great northern Chinese area of fabulous natural resources for its own aggrandizement and to build the war machine with which it drove southward through China, smashing and occupying cities until 1937. It was then that Chiang Kai-shek felt able, at last, to declare war and resist the Imperial Japanese Army with his own troops. Japan's dream of taking over China and all of Asia might well have become reality but for the stubborn resistance of the Nationalists and the Japanese error at Pearl Harbor which brought the United States into the Pacific War.
"It was exactly forty-five years after Baron Tanaka's memorial launched the juggernaut against China that another Tanaka took office as Japan's premier. And almost at once he made known his intention to open negotiations with Communist China for diplomatic recognition and the resumption of relations, after more than 35 years of hostility and centuries of off-and-on animosity. This, of course, required that he abrogate unilaterally the treaty Japan had signed with the Republic of China which was recognized as the legal government, and has never relinquished its right to this claim. In fact, Japan has maintained full diplomatic relations with Taiwan for 22 years.
"In September, Tanaka affirmed his earlier intentions toward Mao's China by visiting Peking officially and, in quick order, agreeing to their demand he dump Taiwan and give Peking official recognition. This deplorable and despicable piece of business was the price Peking exacted of Tanaka who hopes to capture the vast Red Chinese market for Nipponese products and Nipponese technological skill.
"Taiwan countered by breaking off relations with Japan and denouncing Tanaka's perfidy. It is impossible at this juncture to estimate what effect this will have on Japan's $4 billion investment in Taiwan, the enormous trade she has enjoyed with Free China, and the future of thousands of Japanese who live and work on the island.
"There may be clues to future events, however, in the record of the past. Former Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka, for instance, signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union prior to the outbreak of World War II. It was unilaterally abrogated by Russia soon after. Such instances of bad faith abound in the annals of Communist countries. Another example, this time of Red Chinese contempt for truth and treaties, is that Peking once played up its 'five principles of peaceful co-existence' and bewitched Indonesian President Sukarno. It led to a bloody Communist coup in that country which was put down quickly and brought about the fall of Sukarno.
Japan, in 'normalizing' relations with Peking, may be opening the way for an upsurge of Communism and even for a take-over by Red China which would like nothing better than to revenge itself on Japan for the years of war and devastation, even though, ironically, it was the war with Japan which enabled Mao Tse-tung to gain total power on the mainland. But, historically, there is the record of centuries of intermittent warfare between Japan and China and never-ending rivalry.
One thing is sure: Tanaka's action has jeopardized the peace and security of the entire Pacific area.
S. China Morning Post—Still doing very well
The South China Morning Post of Hongkong published September 21 this report by Teiji Shimizu: "Taiwan, facing a critical situation politically, as Japan is about to desert her in favour of Peking, is expected, nevertheless, to do well economically this year.
"This island nation, with a population of 15 million, has been registering an average 10 per cent growth in its gross national product (GNP), and is likely to do just that again this year.
"Government experts have predicted that Taiwan's GNP will reach U.S.$6.8 billion from last year's U.S.$6.2 billion and its exports-imports will amount to U.S.$5.4 billion—up U.S.$1.275 billion from 1971.
"Signs of the country's economic growth are all over the island and are especially noticeable in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan since President Chiang Kai-shek brought his Government here in 1949, following the communist take-over of mainland China.
"High-rise apartment and office buildings mushroom allover the city where about 10 per cent of the island's 15 million people live.
"The city's wide boulevards and lanes are crowded with cars imported from Japan, Europe and the United States. Shops and restaurants are doing good business.
"Textiles and electronics support the country's economy, and the steel industry is fast coming up to help the economy grow further.
"The Government, which boasts of having hard-working people, encourages foreign investment.
"No one here openly predicts a complete halt to the two-way trade between Taiwan and Japan, even in the event of severance of diplomatic ties, but officials have already taken steps to free this nation from heavily relying on Japan for machines, equipment and raw materials.
"Japan is Taiwan's second best customer, after the United States, with the two-way transactions reaching U.S.$1.034 billion. Trade between Japan and (Red) China amounted to U.S.$900 million in 1971.
"Japan's private investment totals about U.S.$100 million, while about the same amount has been extended in yen credits to Taiwan by the Japanese Government." (Partial text)
Columbus Dispatch—Action of absurdity
The Columbus Dispatch said September 2: "Talk about pampering the new baby—the United Nations secretariat has taken another step in complying with Mainland China's desire to wipe out all reference to Taiwan which it has replaced as a member of the world body.
"First there was the Peking demand that membership exclude the idea of 'two Chinas' on grounds Taiwan was just an extension of the mainland.
"Then, all newsmen who had been representing publications favoring the Nationalist Chinese, were discredited.
"There followed orders such as those calling for removal of a plaque on U.N. grounds donated by the Nationalists and those to U.N. broadcasters saying the word 'Taiwan' could be used only in direct diplomatic quotations.
"Now, the U.N. statistical year-book, a prestigious data source, has been expunged of all Taiwanese reference.
"For an international statistical summary to ignore a bastion of 14 million people who constitute an economic force second only to Japan in the Far East is retrogression into absurdity.
"The U.N. secretariat long has been flawed by its own self-aggrandizement. But it has met its match in that category by bowing to the wishes of the Peking regime which believes the world body should create a non country and nobody will notice." (Full text)
Washington Star-News—Letters to the Editor
The Washington Star-News published October 3 these Letters to the Editor: "Sir: The foreign policy of this nation has reached such an incredibly irrational, such a monstrously immoral, level that it almost boggles the mind when one attempts to understand how the citizens of this country could have let this happen. But, then, these same citizens have grown up in an environment which has brought about the debilitation of their minds and a shattering of their self-esteems, most particularly in school, leaving them in such a state that most neither care nor are able to understand the actions of power-happy politicians who promote suicidal policies with foreign nations.
"The latest example of such action by our government in the foreign policy realm involves the sale of wheat to Russia and (Red) China. This sale does not involve an agreement between our country and the two Communist giants of the world to allow their peoples to trade grain. No, it is an agreement which permits private grain exporters in this country to sell their product directly to the governments of Russia and (Red) China —governments which are controlled by dictators who outlaw the very existence of any private businesses in their nations which would be able to buy this grain. These rulers of imprisoned victims—of peoples who are unable even to escape the tyranny of their masters—can now use this grain to appease the many millions of their trapped citizens and thus assist them in maintaining dictatorial control.
"Our government officials tell us that this sale of grain is for the purpose of easing East-West tensions, of allowing for better communication between our nation and theirs. But what rational individual, or government, would deliberately attempt to seek detente with an enemy who has sworn to take over the world and to destroy one's entire way of life, one's freedom, and has proceeded for years to engulf a large portion of the world in boldly carrying out its plan to achieve a world dictatorship.
"What is more, not only did our government make the sale to Russia more appealing, by giving that nation a $750 million line of credit for three years at 6.125 percent, but our government guaranteed to subsidize this sale at your and my forced expense. Put simply, this means that for every bushel of wheat sold to the Russian government (and now the Chinese [Communist] government) that would sell for more than the market value of $1.65, we, as taxpayers, would be required to pay the difference in price.
"What this wheat subsidy amounts to is an action of our government requiring that all taxpaying citizens pay part of the cost of goods sold directly to their most dangerous enemies - the dictators of Russia and (Red) China. We are being required to help support our avowed destroyers." (By Thomas L. Johnson. Full text)
"Sir: So now we are selling wheat to Red China in addition to 10 Boeing jet liners. Furthermore, according to news reports, the wheat brokers are collecting millions of dollars from American taxpayers through government wheat subsidies. Beautiful!
"Since your reports say that world wheat prices are rising because of 'unavailability of wheat elsewhere' would it not have been proper to insist that Red China release all Americans held by them prior to considering negotiating these sales? " (By Norman Perl. Full text)
"Sir: One of the things that is put forth as an achievement of Nixon's administration is his bridge-building with Communist nations, and our increasing trade with them. This is presumed by them to be for the benefit of the United States, and is supposed to relieve tensions. Let's take a closer, more realistic look:
"Many times in the past, the Russian — as well as Eastern European — economy and society was on the brink of collapse and internal discord and revolution. Then, by inaction or by improper action, we or our allies have come to their aid with wheat, with loans to keep them solvent, with recognition to give them prestige, and in countless other ways. We have permitted to be exported to them truck plants, computers, various metals and agricultural grains — all of which they have used to strengthen their grip on their unwilling subjects.
"It was Lenin who said: 'We can always count on the cupidity of the capitalist.' Yes, the man who places the dollar above his principles and the safety of his country is to be deplored by all. He is the opportunist, and his ilk have been the cause of many of today's problems. It is time to take a stand for right principles rather than a fast buck. Let's stop feeding the hand of our mortal enemies." (By Kenneth Balliet. Full text)
Congressional Record—Political use of heroin
The U.S. Congressional Record published September 18 this report by Hon. John G. Schmitz: "Mr. Speaker, Gen. Lewis Walt, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, testifying before the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee August 14, 1972, on the sources of heroin in Asia, said:
"'All of this just doesn't make sense from the standpoint of criminal economics. It does make sense, however, if the operation was political in origin, because then it would only be natural for the organizers to want to hook as many G.I.'s as possible—and to hook them, moreover, on a habit so expensive that they would have to engage in far more crime than the ordinary addict to feed the habit once they returned home. The Communists had so much to gain from such an operation—'
"Special report No. 112 '(Red) China and Drugs,' prepared by the Strategic Intelligence Office of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), says:
"'In each case the (opium) traffickers were people engaged in criminal activity for the usual profit motive."
"There could not be a more complete contradiction than in these two statements, one by a Marine General of unquestioned integrity and long service in the Far East, the other by bureaucrats of an administration which has staked its prestige on trade and friendly relations with an avowed enemy, Red China.
"Evidently alarmed by the rapidly accumulating evidence of massive Red Chinese involvement in the heroin traffic — see my newsletters 72-17, 72-19 and 72-21 —and stung by the persistence of those who will not keep quiet about it, the Nixon administration has now gone so far as to deny officially that any significant amount of the killer heroin that is blasting the lives of 600,000 Americans today comes from the poppy fields of Red China. This almost incredible statement has to be branded for what it is: an outright lie. Reasonable men may differ as to the percentage of the heroin sold to drug addicts which comes out of Red China, but in view of the fact that this percentage is reliably estimated as high as 80, to say that there is no significant amount cannot possibly be true.
"The BNDD special report states unequivocally that:
"'Not one investigation into heroin traffic in the area (Southeast Asia) during the past two years indicates Chinese Communist involvement.'
"In almost the next sentence the cover-up begins with this statement:
"'The origin of the raw opium can also be traced to the producing area of the Golden Triangle, little of which is under Communist control.'
"This statement is also a lie. The 'Golden Triangle' refers to that part of Southeast Asia where Laos, Thailand and Burma come together. The readily ascertainable facts show that most of this area is under Communist control. In Laos virtually the entire region where opium poppies are, or easily can be grown, has been taken over by the North Vietnamese and Chinese Communists, as two men who are probably more thoroughly and personally acquainted with this area than any other Americans — Dr. Charles L. Weldon and Edgar 'Pop' Buell — have both testified this year before the House Internal Security Committee. If there is dope coming from there, it is Communist dope and BNDD knows it.
"In Burma, the BNDD line is that the poppy producers are simply tribes that cannot be controlled by the Burmese Government. What they do not say is that, according to the area handbook of Burma published by the U.S. Government last year, the rebellious tribes in the opium-growing parts of Burma — primarily upper Shan state — are Communist-led, and armed and equipped by Red China. A refugee from Red China, whom my staff and I have personally questioned, reports that those Burmese rebels are paying for their weapons by sending their opium crop to Red China for refining. She also reports that she personally saw Red Chinese Army units harvesting opium in the southernmost province of China, Yunnan. The late Francis E. Walter, former chairman of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, pointed out on September 21, 1961, that it was in Yunnan Province many years ago that Mao Tse-tung, then head of only a small band of conspirators, 'conceived the Chinese Communist policy of narcotics peddling or "soul poison."'
"On July 27 President Nixon asked for $135 million more to fight drug abuse, including funds for a major new office of national narcotics intelligence to be headed by William C. Sullivan. The late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover dismissed this man from a top FBI position after he made speeches all over the country denying that organized Communist activity presents a significant danger to the internal security of the United States. Apparently this is regarded as good background and preparation for the work of this new office. It reminds me of a statement I once heard Tom Anderson make:
"'They have just invented a new deodorant called 'Stereo.' The smell is the same, but you can't tell where it's coming from."' (Partial text)
Long Island Press—For the class struggle
The Long Island Press of New York published September 6 this report by Barbara W. Tuchman: "To instill self-confidence, triumph is the dominant note in all forms of communication in (Red) China especially in the permanent outdoor posters set up in public squares and in front of public buildings.
"The raised proletarian fist, the outthrust chest, the heroic gaze into the far horizon, combine to express invincible determination by figures resembling overfed Paul Bunyans, usually wearing fur caps with ear flaps left carelessly open to the winter wind. The same heroic note dominates music broadcast over the loudspeakers.
"Generally in the western mode, this form of exhortation reaches a climax every few bars like a parade forever passing by but never ending. The same themes and songs are learned from kindergarten up, in song-and-dance programs and excerpts from the famous ballets and self-composed dance-dramas performed by the school children with poise, gusto, frightening proficiency and such fixed smiles of happiness as would make an American chorus line by comparison look melancholy.
"Amateur groups and propaganda teams carry these song-and-dance pro grams around the country; like early America, (Red) China relies heavily on self-entertainment.
"Art, too, serves the class struggle. 'Following Chairman Mao's teaching,' reports the official news agency Hsinhua on a recent exhibition of people's art, 'the painters take as their main theme the emancipation of the poor and lower middle peasants for heavy exploitation by the landlord class. Every stroke bears out ardent love for socialism and implacable hatred for feudalism and capitalism.' A stone carving, 'Ode to the Plum Blossom,' reports The Peking Review: 'describes the dauntless integrity of proletarian revolutionaries.'
"On this diet (Red) China's people under 35 are left strikingly uninformed. They know nothing about anything outside their immediate jobs or beyond their own neighborhoods. They ask no questions, have no curiosity and do not speculate. When we were informed that famed Hangchow, normally on every visitor's schedule, was suddenly 'closed to foreigners,' and our guide could give us no reason, my daughter after futile questioning at last expostulated, 'Well, what do you imagine is the reason? '
"'It is not practical to imagine,' he replied.
"They know nothing whatever about the past prior to 'liberation' in 1949. The past is one great big black landlord planted upon a foundation of feudalism which was gradually trans formed into foreign-aggressive-imperial-colonialism still upholding the landlord. All history, pre-history and yesterday are covered under this one rubric. It is all the Chinese know about their own history much less any other. All historic time prior to 1949 is a blur. Apropos of some distinctly 19th century frescoes on a temple wall, the local guide informed us these were 'pre-liberation.'
"The Opium Wars of 1840-60, the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 and the Japanese War of the 1930s and '40s are barely seen as distinct in date, and the Chinese (on the mainland) are virtually unaware that anyone fought the Japanese but themselves — themselves being confined to the Communist 8th Route Army.
"When I asked a high school history class if they knew how the Japanese were eventually defeated, one girl replied, 'By the 8th Route Army and the Soviet Red Army.' When I asked if they knew anything about the American role in the war, the same girl said, after a prolonged and general silence, that she had heard of what came through in translation as 'Pearl Port,' suggesting that our interpreter too was unfamiliar with the name, and with America's four-year war effort that followed.
"Chinese communism itself appears as solely the work of Mao and the 8th Route Army with an assist from Stalin. No Chinese other than Mao is ever pictured in the propaganda. He shares history only with Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin whose portraits in a row of four huge pictures one sees at every turn. No matter how often one sees it, the glorification in (Red) China of these thoroughly European faces, especially the last, remains embarrassing.
"So numbing is the monotony and so simplistic the content of all this that it is a puzzle how the Chinese (on the mainland) can bear it.
"Nevertheless the assumption of infallibility, the twisting of the record, the suppression of fact, are creating an uniformed and misinformed — although a motivated — public." (Partial text)