Greeting the state visit of President Eisenhower with a most hearty welcome, all local vernaculars saw in his tour the further strengthening of the traditional ties of friendship between China and the United States and closer cooperation between them in the fight against the evil forces of Communism.
The state visit of President Eisenhower to the Republic of China, stated the Central Daily News on June 18, "is highly significant at least for three reasons. First, the traditional friendship between China and the United States has been tested once and again and has remained unbroken throughout the turbulent years of World War II. In recent years, this close cooperation is symbolized by their contributions to the collective security of the Pacific region. We believe that the present visit of the US President to China will mark a step forward in this direction. Secondly, Asia is the main battlefield for the Communists today, and the key to the Asian problem is the China problem, the solution of which depends in turn on the long cultural traditions of her people. Though an overwhelming majority of the Chinese people have been shut behind the mainland Iron Curtain, yet they have never accepted the tyrannical Communist rule against which they have been fighting by every available means. They look to the Chinese Government for their deliverance with the support of the US Government. This may account for the anti-American campaign which the Communists have stirred up in various parts of the mainland. The current visit of the Chief Executive of the United States will not fail to give encouragement to the enslaved people under the Communist domination in their struggle for freedom. Finally, as the leader of a nation dedicated to the cause of world peace and freedom, President Eisenhower has the support of all peace-loving people except the Communists whose recriminations against him will only enhance his prestige in Free Asia."
In summing up President Eisenhower's tour to the Far East, the same paper (the Central Daily News) editorialized on June 24 that "it has at least made three big achievements. First and foremost, it has greatly enhanced understanding and confidence of the anti-Communist governments and peoples in Asia towards the United States. They feel encouraged that under the threat of Communist aggression, they can rely upon the United States as their staunch ally and a comrade-in-arms. Secondly, it has helped stabilize the situation in Asia. Why did the Russian, Chinese and Japanese Communists try every means to stop the Far Eastern tour of the American Chief Executive? Why did the Chinese Communists intensify their bombardment of Kinmen at this moment? Because they wanted to stop his trip to the Far East, so as to deal a blow to his prestige. His visit to Asia convinced the Asian nations and peoples that they have the full backing of the United States in their anti-Communist struggle. By the same token, it has given great encouragement to the anti-Communist revolutionary masses behind the mainland Iron Curtain. This is a contribution of inestimable value to the cause of freedom and peace in the Pacific Region and Asia. Finally, so far as the situation in Japan is concerned, though the American President was forced to cancel his trip there, it has not in any way impaired his prestige. On the contrary, his very presence in the Far East has alienated much of the sympathy of the Japanese people to the rioters and brought to glaring relief the intrigue of the Communists, thereby indirectly exercising tremendous influence over the political situation in that country."
In two consecutive articles on June 18 and 19, the Hsin Sheng Pao said editorially that "what makes the American President's visit to Taiwan particularly significant is that it will contribute greatly to enhancing mutual trust between China and the United States which is the pre-requisite to friendship and cooperation." The welcome extended to President Eisenhower, continued the paper, "is spontaneous and enthusiastic. That the Chinese people like Ike not only because he is a great leader of the United States, who has wisdom, vision and moral courage but also because the Chinese and American peoples share the same ideals and traditions. The welcome that has been given to the American Chief Executive is only from a part of the Chinese population now in Taiwan; but there are millions upon millions of Chinese people on the other side of the Taiwan Straits who welcome and like the American President. The events of the past decade have definitely proved that in spite of the anti-American campaign on the mainland, it is the Communists and Soviet Russia that the Chinese people hate but not the United States and her people." "We wish to take advantage of this opportunity to point out," added the paper, "that to overthrow the puppet regime and restore freedom to the oppressed masses on the mainland is not only the aspiration of the Chinese people here in Taiwan and overseas but also that of our brethren groaning under the weight of Communist oppression. They have lost practically everything they hold dear including their basic human rights and are momentarily waiting us to deliver them from the Communist clutches. In fact, the Chinese Communists are the greatest curse of mankind which has plagued whole Asia and is now extending its tentacles to Africa and Latin America. Frankly speaking, the whole eastern problem is a China problem upon which hinges the future of the world. However, the solution of this problem depends on the continuing struggle and sacrifices of the Chinese people here on Taiwan and on the mainland. Our country and people are in deep trouble which will test our wisdom, ideals and moral courage. We can assure President Eisenhower that we shall never bow to our enemy, nor shall we ever give up the goal for which we are striving."
"We welcome President Eisenhower, not only because he is the first American President in office who has ever sat foot on Chinese soil but also because he is a goodwill ambassador representing the whole American people." Thus declared the Chung Hua Jih Pao editorially in two successive articles on June 18 and 19. The speech delivered by the American President at the mass rally on June 18, continued the paper, "is a heart-warming one which will be long remembered. His praise of the achievements of Free China gives us more encouragement than any material assistance can do. His reiteration of the non-recognition of the puppet regime by the United States and his unfeigned admiration for the courage of the Chinese people in their struggle to keep the cause of freedom alive give us new hope and confidence."
The state visit of the American President to Taipei, stated the United Daily News in its two consecutive articles on June 18 and 19, "short as it is, is of greater significance than any tour of any other foreign country he has made in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the United States in the past seven years. We say this not only because his current visit will mean a new guarantee of the lasting friendship between our two countries but because it symbolizes his determination not to yield to evil forces." In the midst of the most enthusiastic welcome we extend to President Eisenhower, the paper went on to say, "we cannot help thinking why we are not welcoming him either at Nanking or Peiping. This thought naturally leads us to think of the US China policy. It is true that since he took over the American administration seven years ago, the US China policy has turned definitely for the better as evidenced by the large-scale economic and military aid extended to this country, signing of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, and the firm American stand taken in the course of shelling of Kinmen by the Communists in 1958. However, an ideal US China policy should have a more farsighted and positive objective. Unless the US Government takes immediate steps to correct its China policy, the present trend will in the long run benefit no one, whether China or the United States. While we fully understand that it is difficult for the United States to pursue a more positive China policy, we wish to point out that as a close ally of China, the United States has the moral obligation to work for her national recovery and to regain the freedom of her people still under Communist domination. As a matter of fact, the security of the Far East depends on the security of China. That is to say, only when the China problem is solved can the Far Eastern problem be solved. As a great soldier, a great statesman, a great freedom fighter and a great humanitarian, does President Eisenhower feel unmoved while looking at the mainland west of Taiwan where millions upon millions of the Chinese people have been deprived of their freedom? Let us hope that the historical meeting of the two great leaders of the Republic of China and the United States will produce a positive result."
Commenting on the same topic, the China Post declared editorially on June 18: "June 18, 1960 will go down in Chinese history as a most memorable date. When President Eisenhower arrives in Taiwan this morning, it will be the first time that a President of the United States, while still in office, has ever set foot on Chinese soil. This is certainly a fact of unusual significance, and it is only natural that the people of this country will regard it as a great honor. However, this is not the only reason why we are extending a most enthusiastic welcome to President Eisenhower. We wish to accord President Eisenhower a hearty welcome on this auspicious occasion not only because he is the Chief Executive of the United States but also because we really LIKE him from the bottom of our hearts. There are three main reasons why we like Ike. In the first place, to be frank, it is a matter of hero worship. President Eisenhower is one of the greatest war heroes the world has ever produced. The successes he achieved as commander-in-chief of the Allied forces in their landing in North Africa and in the reconquest of Western and Central Europe during World War II stand unsurpassed in the annals of military exploits and have long been an object of unbounded admiration on the part of the Chinese people. In the second place, we are welcoming President Eisenhower today as a great defender of democracy, peace, freedom and justice ... In the third place, we are welcoming President Eisenhower today as a loyal friend of the Chinese people. The American President has always been a great friend of this country. In 1946, shortly after relinquishing his command in Europe, one of the first things he did was to go to Nanking to pay a visit to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who was then Chairman of the Chinese National Government. Ever since he became the Chief Executive of the United States, President Eisenhower has always had the security of the Chinese Republic and the welfare of the Chinese people at heart. Under his direction the American Government has continued to extend very generous economic and military aid to this country with the result that Free China has succeeded in achieving both economic stability and industrial progress, and the territories now under the control of the Chinese Government, including Taiwan, Penghu and the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, have been made absolutely secure from Communist invasion."
Giving a red-carpet welcome to the American President, the China News editorialized on June 18 that "probably in size of the turn-out and in amount of din, the Taipei welcome may not be the largest or the noisiest the American Chief Executive has received in his goodwill visits. But then the Chinese traditionally are not exactly a demonstrative people. Their welcome to President Eisenhower this morning was certainly the biggest and most spontaneous and enthusiastic one they have ever allowed themselves to put on for any visiting chief of state." In welcoming President Eisenhower to Taiwan, continued the paper, "the Chinese really wish they could greet him either in Nanking or in Peiping. To the Chinese Government and people, there is only one goal, that is, return to the mainland. They are grateful to the American government and people for their military and economic assistance during the past ten years which has enabled them to build up their defense capability and economic viability. But their eyes look to the mainland where they have left their dear ones. The Chinese Government and people today are dedicated to this one purpose, and nothing is going to deter them from trying to achieve it. Over on the mainland, millions upon millions of people are crying out silently for deliverance. This imposes a sacred responsibility which no Chinese government worthy of the name can shirk or dodge. President Eisenhower is a great soldier-statesman, whom the Chinese people respect and for whom there is a profound affection. Hence, his state visit is a cause of great rejoicing and encouragement not only to the Chinese people here but also to those on the mainland ... "
Sixth APACL Conference
The Sixth Annual Conference of the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League opened on June 15 at Taipei and lasted for eight days. Wishing it every success, all local papers expressed the hope that the delegates attending the conference in their deliberations make every effort to broaden the basis of the League so as to marshal the anti-Communist forces the world over in their common endeavor to uproot Communism and emancipate the enslaved peoples shut behind the Iron Curtain from the tyrannical clutches of Communist rule.
Taking stock of the world situation, stated the Central Daily News in its editorial on June 15, 'let us hope that the Sixth APACL Conference that is being held at Taipei will pass the following three resolutions: (1) to broaden the basis of the APACL so as to turn it into an anti-Communist league for Asian, African and Australian peoples; (2) to expose Communist political intrigues and to urge the governments of various countries to lay down effective anti-Communist measures so as to deprive the Communists of any chance for infiltration and subversive activities; and (3) to call upon the nations of the free world to give their help to the normal growth of nationalism in the Afro-Asian region.' To tear down the Iron Curtain in Asia with the concerted efforts of the Asian people, continued the paper, 'has been the primary objective of the APACL. The Chinese Communists are not only an aggressive tool of the Soviet Union but also the root of all troubles that plague Asia and the Pacific region. For this reason, all delegates attending the conference should map out ways and means to bring down the Iron Curtain in Asia. They should take cognizance of the fact that the relationship between Soviet Russia and the puppet Peiping regime is one of master and slave; that they have to give positive and effective support to the enslaved peoples behind the Iron Curtain in struggle for freedom; and that they have to direct all their efforts to bring about the national unification of the Republic of China, the Republic Korea and the Republic of Vietnam.'
On the occasion of the convocation of the Sixth Conference at Taipei, the Hsin Sheng Pao editorialized on the same day that 'we wish to avail ourselves of this opportunity to dwell on some problems with which all nations in Asia are faced and how to tackle them. The problems are (1) national independence, liberty and equality (2) demand of democratization and (3) economic development and amelioration of the living conditions of their peoples.' 'As we see it,' the paper continued, 'the greatest threat to the national revolution of the Asian nations is not the defunct Western colonialism but Communist imperialism. Playing on the hatred and fear of Western colonialism by the eastern nations, the Communist imperialists exploit their nationalism for the promotion of the anti-Western movement, so as to deal a heavy blow to the western democracies on the one hand and to prevent the cooperation between the democracies in the West and those in the East on the other. Thus, the correct road to national revolution in the Asian nations is not to oppose the western nations but to unite and cooperate with the latter on a footing of equality in their common struggle against Communist aggression. As to the demand for democratization, we must understand that democracy and anti-Communism are inseparable. Genuine democratic development depends on a determined fight against Communism and no democracy is safe without a staunch anti-Communist stand. So far as economic development is concerned, facts have definitely proved that to accept economic aid from the Communists or to have trade relations with them is dangerous, because to the Communists economic activities are just a means for the attainment of political objective. Thus, for their economic development, the only safe road to follow for the Asian nations is to step up their economic cooperation with the western nations.'
Wishing the delegates and observers who came to Taipei to attend the Sixth APACL Conference a happy sojourn and success, the Chung Hua Jih Pao stated editorially on the same day that 'since its inception in 1954, the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League has, through the unremitting efforts of its member units, become in actuality a congregation which is the repository of the peoples' anti-Communist forces the world over. Convened at a time when the cold war between East and West has entered upon a new stage, the Taipei Conference has an unusual significance. Let us hope that the delegates who are gathering here will in their deliberations map out effective ways and means for the anti-Communist cause of the free world. As far as we can see, nothing is more important at the present juncture than to further broaden the basis of the APACL so as to realize at an early date an anti-Communist league on a world-wide basis and to give effective support to the enslaved peoples behind the Iron Curtain in their struggle for freedom." "Spectacular as the achievements of the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League have been in the six years of its existence," said the United Daily News editorially on the same day, "neutralism has not yet been wholly uprooted and Communist activities in some Asian countries are still ram pant. Fully aware of this fact, the APACL Conference has listed 'How to step up anti-Communist movement so as to avert a spiritual crisis of the free world" as one of the main items on its agenda. The recognition of a spiritual crisis by this anti-Communist organization deserves our highest commendation." "What should be "done to avert this spiritual crisis?" asked the paper. As an answer, the paper proposed" to further broaden the basis of the league by placing under it such important nations as Japan, India, and Indonesia, which, because of their geographical and strategic importance should be persuaded to join the League as full-fledged members. Besides, every effort should be made to enlarge the power of the League Secretariat so as to make it a going concern in carrying out the resolutions of the League and coordinate the actions taken by various member units of the League."
Commenting on the same topic on the same day, the China Post declared in its leading article that one of the greatest obstacles that have impeded the work of the League is 'neutralism' as advocated by men like Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Sukarno of Indonesia. But with the shooting incidents that occurred on the Tibetan-Indian border last year and with the bloody suppression of the Tibetan people's revolt by the Chinese Communist oppressors, even neutralism has lost much of its former attraction and more Asian peoples are coming to recognize that it is after all impossible to coexist with the Communists. Meeting almost immediately after the collapse of the Paris summit conference, APACL has a better opportunity to assess the present international situation and to work for appropriate measures to cope with whatever actions the Communist bloc might take either in Asia or elsewhere in the world. Finally, we wish all the delegates and observers who have come over long distances to attend the Sixth APACL Conference complete success in their deliberations and a most pleasant stay on this beautiful island, which, in the last ten years, has become an anti-Communist bastion of the Republic of China."
Regarding the exclusion of Japan from full membership in the League link, the China News observed in its editorial on the same day that "now with the change of government in Korea, the Korean chapter of the APACL not only has dropped its opposition to Japan's participation but has openly supported her membership. To all freedom-loving people of Asia, this favorable turn of events is indeed heartening. China has every reason to champion Japan's membership. One of the professed functions and aims of the League is to unite all the people of Free Asia in the struggle against Communism. Japan's exclusion from the League signifies serious disunity among the free peoples of Asia. This is highly regrettable. Japan's active participation in the APACL is all the more desirable in view of the increasing activities of the Communist-leftist subversives in the island country. A Japanese Chapter of the League would do much in the way of exposing Red intrigues and rallying patriotic Japanese against them. Moreover, the vital role Japan is playing in the economic and political life of Free Asia entitles her to an equally vital role in such an influential regional organization as the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League. We should like to see Japan emerge from the current convention as a full member of the APACL. She is too important a member of Free Asia to be left out of the League."