For the purpose of promoting goodwill and cordiality between nations based on true and thorough understanding of each other, we, a group of intellectuals of Free China, have undertaken the work of publishing a Monthly entitled Free China Review. In its columns we shall endeavor to bring home to the world a true picture of Free China, dwelling largely upon its general development socially, economically, militarily and politically. In addition, we shall also devote much of the space to dissertation on the cultural and traditional values of the old virtues of China, which people of this island as well as the great mass of the Chinese on the mainland still hold most dearly to their, hearts. Furthermore, we shall from time to time reveal to the reading public the ordeal and suffering of the people behind the Iron Curtain, who have been undergoing the horrible experience of the most despotic rule in the darkest period of Chinese history.
We are not unaware that understanding is not a one-way -traffic. In other words, it must be mutual. If it is indispensable and necessary that other nations of the Free World should have a true knowledge of China and her people, it is equally indispensable and necessary that China and her people should also be brought to view the world in its proper light. Therefore, we shall give careful explanation in each of our forthcoming issues to comment on any current international problems of considerable importance.
At this very moment when we are bringing our first issue to our readers, we deem it proper and appropriate to make it clear as to the position on which we shall stand, the attitude or policy we may adopt arid the firm belief we will hold.
At the outset, we may announce without any fear of contradiction that we arc impartial in our judgement, independent of any section or faction and free from rule by anyone.
In this connection, it may be necessary to expound the true meaning of impartiality, independence and freedom. By impartiality, is meant freedom from bias. But impartiality doesn't mean neutrality which denotes the state or quality of remaining aloof, neither in favor of one side nor the other in a dispute. A person is neutral when he does not take sides with any of the opposed parties, taking no consideration of the question of right or wrong, justice or injustice, guiltiness or innocence. But the person who is impartial, though unbiased and free from prejudices, may not hesitate to come to a sound judgement as to what is right and wrong, what is just and unjust, and which side is guilty and which is not, Therefore, an impartial person doesn't refrain from taking sides, but he takes sides with righteousness and justice and what he believes to be true.
Independence which means freedom from rule by any others does not mean isolation, the state of being set apart from others. Though we are independent, we are prepared to make connections with people of all walks of life. We want to learn from them everything we want to know. We want to study their problems and find their solutions. With regard to international affairs we shall keep our eyes and ears open, following closely any development in world politics which concern peace and the future destiny of mankind. Further, through this publication we shall attempt to associate ourselves with all right-thinking peoples in the world, for we arc convinced that as ideological warfare is being waged, those who believe in righteousness and justice should come together at least spiritually.
The essence of freedom in a true democracy abhors the abusive uses of the name. As John Ruskin (1819-1900) rightly put it, "Wise laws and just restraints are to a noble nation not chains, but for strength and defence." Indeed, there should be no absolutism in a true democracy. To do what one likes to do disregarding laws and conventions will throw a human community into an anarchical state of affairs. With this understanding in mind, we will not abuse the freedom of speech. Whatever we may say in our editorial columns will be constructive rather than destructive. Besides, knowing that unity of purpose and action is called for in the uphill struggle against Communist aggression, our utterances will not cause disunity either in our home front or among nations of the Free World.
At this stage we may make known to our readers what we sincerely believe. We believe in God. The reason why there have been tyrants, ambitious emperors, ruthless dictators and military warlords seeking for territorial aggrandizement and world conquest is largely due to the fact that they believe too much in themselves. They have refused to believe in God. But the old golden saying "Man proposes, God disposes" remains true as ever. If we believe in this divine ruler and find inwardly the limit of human power, there will be an end to all wars. Indeed, atheism which is being dictated by the Communists throughout the world is the grossest evil of mankind.
We believe in truth which, in the real sense of the word, must be objective and should have permanent value. In other words, a thing is true irrespective of time and space. It is true disregarding who may say it and from whatever angle one may look at it. Further, truth is not dictated, it can only be sought by investigation and experiment.
We, intellectuals of Free China, are fortunate to enjoy the privileges and the rights of citizens in this land of democratic institutions. But alas, the Iron Curtain which has been lowered on the Chinese mainland and elsewhere has served the double purpose of keeping the people under the Communist totalitarian rule out of the Free World and also keeping the Free World out of the vast millions of slaves in the police state. We are determined to make the best use of our privileges and rights to speak for truth, justice and righteousness with a view to arousing in our suffering countrymen on the mainland as well as all who have been deprived of their birthright, inspiration and hope for the future.