Thus declared the Sixth Conference of the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League, held in Taipei, provisional capital of the Republic of China, from June 15 to 22. The declaration of the Sixth Conference received the unanimous approval of delegations from 18 member units of APACL—Australia, the Republic of China, Hongkong, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaya, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Ryukyus, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. In addition, observers from 12 other units were present at the conference, representing the Cameroon Republic, Ceylon, Federal Republic of Germany, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Borneo, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations and the Union of Russian Solidarists. There were 94 delegates and observers at the conference, representing not governments but peoples' organizations and working harmoniously toward the lofty goal laid down by the declaration of the First APACL Conference in 1954, to "supplant slavery with freedom, misery with happiness, and violence with peace."
Since the First conference held in Chinhae, Korea, six years ago, the APACL has come a long way. Only five countries—China, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam—and three areas—Hongkong, Macao and the Ryukyus-took part in that meeting and the Second Conference held in Manila in March, 1956. An Extraordinary Conference was called in Manila in November of the same year. When the Third Conference was held in Saigon in 1957, six new member units were admitted: Australia, Burma, Malaya, Pakistan, Singapore and Turkey. Iraq joined the APACL in the Fourth Conference which took place in Bangkok in 1958, but soon dropped out because of changes in the domestic situation. In the Fifth Conference which met in South Korea in 1959, New Zealand and Iran became full-fledged member units. Before the Sixth Conference convened, the membership roster stood at 16, already double that of six years ago.
China Plays Host
The APACL Charter, adopted at the Second Conference, provides that the conference of the League "shall be held once a year in the territories of member units on a rotation basis in principle." Counting also the Extraordinary Conference of 1959, the annual conventions have been held twice in Korea and the Philippines respectively, and once each in Thailand and Vietnam. Although the Republic of China plays an important role in the work of the APACL, it had hosted only a meeting of the League Council in 1956. The Sixth Conference was the first full APACL Conference held in China.
The China Chapter of APACL began preparing for this conference almost as soon as its delegation returned from the Fifth Conference in Korea. The spring of 1960 promised to be a busy season for the host country. In February and March would be convened the National Assembly, which meets once every six years, and with it the election of the president and vice president. April was the month for local elections, in which members of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly and all mayors and county magistrates were to be chosen. In May, the newly-elected president and vice president of the Republic were to be inaugurated and a reorganization of the government was expected. The China Chapter of APACL finally decided on June 15 to 19, which seemed an opportune time. Invitations were sent accordingly and accepted by all member units.
But the planners had figured without any forewarning of Nikita Khrushchev's torpedoing of the Paris Summit meeting in May and cancellation of President Dwight Eisenhower's tour to Russia. When it was announced simultaneously in Washington and Taipei that the American president would visit the Republic of China on June 18-19, the officers of the APACL China Chapter were the only persons in free China who received the news with mixed feelings. While rejoicing with the rest of the nation over the prospect of the historical visit, they were worried at the same time about hotel accommodation for their delegates and other related problems. The original schedule of the Sixth Conference was for June 15 to 19, after which the delegates and observers were to go on a tour of southern and central Taiwan until June 22. After consulting the Chinese Government, the APACL China Chapter amended its own program. The Sixth Conference was to open as scheduled on June 15, and the southern trip would be moved up to June 17 through 19, with the meetings resuming on June 20 and ending two days later. This arrangement proved to be a happy solution for all.
The China Chapter normally maintains a staff of only about 30 persons. To prepare for the Sixth APACL Conference, it recruited a temporary force of over 100 for a period of two months. The Armed Forces Officers' Club on Yenping South Road was chosen as the site of the Conference. Welcome arches were erected on both sides of the entrance to the Club, and on Chungshan North Road leading to the Grand Hotel where the delegates and observers would stay. The Grand Hotel, famous for its classical Chinese architecture combined with western comfort, had entertained such state guests as Shah Pahlevi of Iran, King Hussein of Jordan, President Ngo Dinh Diem of Vietnam and President Carlos P. Garcia of the Philippines. But even for its seasoned staff, the week beginning June 15 was a hectic one. For two days the hotel was headquarters for 29 delegations and observers units to the APACL meeting. As they went on tour, it was turned into the temporary White House during President Eisenhower's visit, and switched back to APACL headquarters again on the 19th.
The delegations and observers started arriving in Taipei from June 13. Each was met at the airport by Mr. Ku Cheng-kang, president of the China Chapter and chairman of the APACL Council, together with directors of the China Chapter, and other Chinese government and civic leaders. Twelve college students with a good knowledge of a particular foreign language were chosen as their guides. On the evening of June 14, a formal dinner was given by Mr. Ku at the Golden Dragon dining room of the Grand Hotel, attended by over 200. Following the dinner, the chief delegates of the 16 member units huddled together for the preparatory meeting to the conference, while the remaining guests sat down to enjoy two short films: one in black and white entitled "Kinmen and Matsu," showing the offshore islands at war, and the other in technicolor scanoscope called "Majestic Island," an Universal-International release saluting the progress in free China.
Firecrackers and Flags
June 15 downed bright and beautiful. Promptly at 9:30 a.m., the delegates and observers left the Grand Hotel in a fleet of 40 locally made shiny, new Yue Loong sedans. The procession, escorted by police motorcycles, was greeted by interested crowds and firecrackers popping off on both sides of the avenue, —a traditional Chinese way of wishing the guests good luck. Many shops and houses had long strings of firecrackers hanging, —in many cases from the second floor window. The delegates were overwhelmed by this gesture on the part of the people of Taipei. Mr. Bruce Wight, a deputy speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, said: "I never saw such a display of firecrackers in all my life."
The softly lighted, air-conditioned hall of the Armed Forces Officers' Club was already filled with 400 guests when the delegates and observers arrived. The center of the room was taken up by a huge horseshoe-shaped table, around which the chief delegates and observers sat in alphabetical order. For the opening ceremony, the rest of the delegates and observers sat within the enclosed space, while on both sides of the table were Chinese government officials and the diplomatic corps. At the back of the hall were specially invited guests, including the directors of the APACL China Chapter.
At 10 a.m., Mr. Ku Cheng-kang took their places on the platform with Vice President and Premier Chen Cheng. In the background was an emblem of the APACL, flanked by flags of the 30 countries and territories which the delegates or observers represented. Amidst the popping of flash bulbs and whirring of newsreel cameras, Mr. Ku declared the six the APACL Conference open.
In his opening address, the chairman of the PAPCL Council said: "All of us are happy to note that we have in this Conference the presence of observers from 15 Afro-Asian nations or from anti-Communist organizations in Europe and America, and that some of these nations so represented may be admitted in the next few days as member units in accordance with the provisions of our Charter." He reviewed the world situation, and called on the participating countries to adopt a firmer anti-Communist policy in the face of "the post-Summit Communist strategy of hurling threats and abuses at the Free World," to actively support the national independence movements of Afro-Asian countries so as to deter Communist advance in this area, to step up economic cooperation and cultural exchange of the countries of Asia, Africa and the Pacific region, and to restore freedom to the 800 million people now enslaved by Communism.
"It is significant," he concluded, "that we are meeting at a time of international tension following the collapse of the Summit Conference, to discuss our anti-Communist policies and to adopt a common program of action for the peoples of Asia, Australia, Africa and other areas of the Free World. On our combined effort hinges the development of the anti-Communist movement throughout the world. I have no doubt that this Conference will achieve its sacred and historic mission through the joint effort of all who take part in it."
Vice President Chen Cheng extended greetings and welcome to the delegates and observers attending the conference on behalf of the Government of the Republic of China. He exposed the Communist slogans of "peaceful coexistence" and "down with imperialism," and warned the Free World against Communist infiltration and subversion. "In the fight against communism," the Vice President declared, "it is not enough to limit our strategy to containment and deterrence. We must on the one hand defend ourselves against it, and on the other, positively engage in political and economic constructions. Our fight against communism may be called a success only when we have built up our society to such an extent that it forms, in relation to the Communist society, a contrast of light against darkness, of freedom against slavery, and of abundance against poverty."
The last speaker of the morning was Dr. George Paik, chief Korean delegate and former chairman of the APACL Council. Dr. Paik brought to the conference a message from Acting President Huh Chung, who pointed out: "Never has there been greater need for expression and implementation of Free World unity, and this should come first from our various peoples. Once free men and women have spoken, governments can act individually and collectively in accord with their citizens' counsel."
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In his response to the opening address of Mr. Ku, the Korean educator posed the question "where do we go from here" to the gathering. He asked: "Shall we renew summit ascents, including efforts to work out a modus vivendi with communism? Shall we fight, or recommend that we do so, without regard to the risk of destroying the world that we know? Shall we do nothing, waiting for the lightning to strike, whether it hits us or the enemy?" Dr. Paik counseled that the approach to a solution must be made "strongly, consistently, and without thought of retreat or equivocation," and expressed his belief that the conference would, in the course of its discussions, put the suggestions together "into a meaningful and victorious concensus."
Ku as President
The conference took up formal business in the first plenary meeting that afternoon and Mr. Ku Cheng-kang, as chief of the Chinese delegation, was unanimously elected president of the conference. Mr. Tran Tam of Vietnam was elected secretary-general, assisted by three deputy secretaries-general: Messrs. Tan I-min, Chu Sung-chiu and Loh I-cheng. The meeting adopted a resolution welcoming President Eisenhower's visit to free Asia, and expressing the hope that his trip would strengthen the unity and anti-Communist solidarity of our region, and lead toward a stronger, more effective governmental-level organization of alliance embracing all the free nations of Asia."
The conference received a number of congratulatory messages, including those from George Meany, president of the AFL-CIO, Charles Edison, chairman of the Committee of One Million, National Commander Martin B. Mckneally of the American Legion, Prince Niko Nakashidze, secretary-general for the Central Committee of the Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations, and General V. Farkas, president of the Hungarian Freedom Movement.
Two Asian countries were conspicuously absent from the conference. Burma, a member unit of APACL, was represented by Mr. Thakin Ba Sein, chairman of the Burmese Democratic Party, in the Third and Fourth Conferences. Dr. Ch. Devananda Rao, president of the Christian Anti-Communist Crusade of India, was scheduled to attend the Sixth Conference as observer. Each was denied a passport by his government. The meeting addressed a cable to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India:
"Recognizing and appreciating your stand against Communist aggression, this 6th Conference of Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League now in session at Taipei notes with deep regret that your Government has considered it necessary to withhold facilities to Dr. Ch. Devananda Rao to attend as observer.
"Conference expresses its concern that this action may be interpreted as depreciating the status of APACL in the fight against communism in the interests of all nations on the borders of communism. Conference further respectfully urges your reconsideration of decision even at this late hour."
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A similar cable was sent to Prime Minister U Nu of Burma over the denial of a passport to the Burmese delegate.
The conference organized six committees each of the first five to deal with one of the following topics:
(1) Consideration of how to strengthen anti-communism to resolve spiritual crisis of the Free World.
(2) Discussion of how anti-communism may be strengthened in Asia, Africa and the Middle East to consolidate their common effort against the Communist bloc.
(3) Analysis of ways to strengthen anti-Communist solidarity of free nations in Asia.
(4) Consideration of how to support enslaved peoples.
(5) Discussion of ways to aid economic cooperation and cultural interflow of League members.
The chairman of the five committees were, in the same order, Korea, Iran, the Philippines, Thailand and Australia. The sixth committee, dealing with the declaration and resolutions, was formed by the chairmen of the first five committees in addition to China, Turkey, Vietnam and Libya who were elected by secret ballot. Membership in the first five committees was on a "willingness to serve" basis. The conference also decided after a full debate and taking of a vote, that observers might serve on all committees so as to participate actively in all phases of the work. Many of the delegates and observers from the Middle East and Africa chose the second committee, which studied the problems of their own area.
Report from Delegates
An important part of the five-day conference was devoted to reports from all delegations and observer units. With the exception of Ceylon, each gave a report on the anti-Communist situation in his country or area. The Ceylonese observers, the Reverend P. Soratha, principal of the Buddhist Monks Training College and editor-in-chief of the weekly Buddhist Culture, had to leave Taipei on June 17 after receiving a cable informing him that his mother had suddenly become seriously ill.
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Some of the speakers came from areas which were directly threatened by Communist aggression. For example, the Nepali observer, Mr. Damodar Prasad Ghimire, president of the Afro-Asian Council National Committee of Nepal and president of the Refugee Relief Society of Nepal, told the meeting: "Communist activities are already at their peak in the whole of Nepal. Communist literature have been flooding all over the country. Taking advantage of the democratic government and with the help of their tools, the local Communist Party, they have now launched a country-wide movement. During his recent visit to Nepal, Chou En-lai is said to have donated a huge amount of money to various Communist organizations through which their voice has now been raised a hundred-fold louder."
However, he declared that: "We have been organizing anti-Communist societies all over the districts of our country. We are going to hold an All Nepal Anti-Communist Convention in Katmandu very shortly. We have already organized anti-Communist processions. We have made anti-Communist propaganda through press and public meetings. With your sympathy and cooperation, we will pay these aggressors in their own coin."
Others called for closer Afro-Asian unity to resist Communist subversion. Warned Mr. Nguyen Phoung Thiep, member of the National Assembly of Vietnam and concurrently its secretary-general: "We have witnessed, after the bloodshed in Tibet, the violation of the Indian frontier by the Chinese Communist regime, its conflict with Indonesia and its bellicose interference, through its North Vietnam satellite, in the internal affairs of Laos. .... At the same time, the Communists are stretching out their voracious tentacles to the other continent, Africa, which is also vulnerable because of its state of economic underdevelopment. There they are, as yet, in the first stage of their satanic maneuvers. They hope to win the African masses to their cause through propaganda by luring them with Communist technical achievements, and to attain their aims of subversive infiltration through economic aid and cultural exchanges.
The chief Vietnamese delegate urged that: "It is also towards a greater Afro-Asian solidarity for the achievement of economic and social progress that we should bend our energies. Our success or failure rests, in the long run, on our understanding of the problems which beset the peoples of Asia and Africa and on our untiring and creative efforts to face and solve these problems."
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His words met with warm response from the delegates and observers from the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Kazimabu Ghazaieh, former chief justice of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and one-time deputy chief of its National Security Bureau, said that communism "contradicts the essentials of Arab nationalism and the principles of the heavenly Moslem and Christian faiths." The Jordanian people, he assured the conference, "consider communism and its subversive methods a complete outrage against humanity and a full-fledged danger which threatens our national security."
Mr. Hassan Daoud, the Moroccan observer, declared that: "We, the people of North Africa, are fighting international communism because it is against our beliefs and national principles, and I do assert that up till now communism has not found a fruitful soil in Morocco," Speaking French, Mr. Moussa Yaya, secretary-general of the Cameroon Union Party, described how the Communists in his country, under the cloak of the Union of the Populations of Cameroon, tried to seize power by alternating armed uprising and political agitation. The question for the Republic of Cameroon, he said, is "how to fight communism efficiently in countries that have nothing to do with communism ideologically, but provide favorable grounds for its expansion." "The invitation extended to my party," he said, "made me feel that Africa may be called upon to cooperate with you in the near future.... For we know that time has come for the African nations to fight not only against but also for something; in other words, to do something constructive based on the ideals of peace and freedom that animate us profoundly and sincerely."
Audience with the President
As a group, the delegates and observers left Taipei in the early morning of June 17 for their trip to central and southern Taiwan. They visited the Land Administration Office and Farmers' Association of Taoyoon to learn about free China's land reform program, called on Governor Chou Chih-jou of Taiwan province, were briefed on the work of the provincial government, and saw some of the priceless collections of the National Palace and Central Museums. The group then took a glimpse at the industrial growth of free China by visiting the bagasse-board plant at Changhua, the Kaohsiung petroleum refinery and the Tungmen underground power-plant. A drive from Hualien to Tienhsiang along the newly completed East-West Cross-Island highway showed them the breath-taking views along the road as well as its engineering wonder. They also sampled the military strength of the country by reviewing a marine guard at the Tsoying naval base and witnessing the performance of the "Thunder Tiger" aerobatic team of the Chinese Air Force after their return to Taipei.
As the conference proceeded, social engagements came one after another. As a group, the delegates and observers were entertained at dinner by President Yu Yu-jen of the Control Yuan, Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan and Vice President and Premier Chen Cheng. Separate dinners were given by various religious bodies to their co-religionists, and by civic and cultural organizations to individual guests. The presidents of 17 universities and colleges in Taiwan jointly gave a garden buffet. Cocktail parties were given by Mr. Ku, President Chang Tao-fan of the Legislative Yuan, and members of the National Assembly. To give the delegates some rest, Conference Secretariat had to turn down a number of invitations. Three evening entertainments were arranged to en able the foreign guests to have a taste of Chinese folk dance, classical music and classical opera.
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But the highlight of their stay in free China was, to the many delegates and observers, the afternoon tea they had with President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek on June 21. It was an unusually hot afternoon; the reception room in the presidential residence at Shihlin was not big enough to hold all of the guests at the same time; But none of this mattered. The First Couple shook hands with everyone, sat down to have a chat with each chief delegate or observer. Three interpreters (English, French and Japanese) worked in relays at the President's side. The party, scheduled for one hour, was stretched to one and a half and broke up only after President and Madame Chiang posed for a group picture with the callers.
Contacts were also made outside of the conference. The Nepali observer met with officials of the Free China Relief Association to discuss relief for Tibetan refugees escaping to his mountainous kingdom. The delegates and observers from nine Muslim countries-Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Malaya, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, Morocco and Cameroon-found themselves among Muslim brothers in free China. After talking to Haji Khalid T. C. Shih, president of the Chinese Muslim Association, they gladly subscribed to an aide-memoire signed in Taipei on April 13, 1960 by the Muslim representatives of Brunei, the Philippines, Japan and the Republic of China, and added their names to the document to bring the number of its signatories to 13. The memorandum called on their fellow Muslims everywhere to "unite and alert all Muslims in Southeast Asian countries against all forms of godless ideologies and to find ways and means of destroying the same," and to "explore all possible avenues whereby Muslims who have fallen in Communist hands could exercise their freedom of religion and worship."
Manila Next Site
The APACL Council, composed of one representative from each member unit, met on June 21 at noon. It unanimously elected Congressman Ramon D. Bagatsing, chief delegate of the Philippines, as the fourth chairman of the League Council, to succeed Mr. Ku. Manila was chosen as the site of the Seventh APACL Conference to be held in 1961. In addition, Mr. Tran Tam of Vietnam was elected secretary-general of APACL for a third term. The budget for the APACL Secretariat at Saigon was also unanimously adopted.
The new Council chairman, 44-year-old Mr. Bagatsing, was one of the founders of the APACL. Born in a poor family, he shined shoes, delivered newspapers and worked on a number of odd jobs until his graduation from the Philippine College of Law in 1949. He is an attorney-at-law, represents Manila in the Philippine Congress, and serves on ten committees. He was a former vice president of the junior Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
His election, along with other decisions of the League Council, were reported to the plenary meeting in the afternoon, which approved them in full. It was in the same session that Japan, Jordan and Nepal accepted the invitation of the conference to become member units of the APACL. The admission of Japan in particular marked a historic moment for the League, and filled up the last gap in APACL membership among the free nations in the Far East. The Republic of China had, since 1955, hoped that Japan would join the APACL. This was made possible only by the students' revolution in Korea and the subsequent change of government in April, 1960. Before the conference began in Taipei, the Korean Chapter of APACL announced in Seoul that it would support Japan's application for membership in the Sixth Conference. A four-member observer team came from Japan despite the leftist demonstrations against the approval of the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, which were at their peak. Included were Mr. Wuemura Kentaro, director of the Japanese Road Society and former air chief of staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Professor Watanabe Tetsuzo, noted scholar and president of the Asiatic Freedom Society, Chancellor Tanabe Takao of the Takasaki University, and Mrs. Wuemura.
Japan's application for membership was sponsored jointly by China and Korea. Professor Watanabe, in thanking the conference, declared that he would organize a national anti-Communist organization to launch a strong campaign against Communist infiltration and subversion in his country. The conference also adopted a strongly-worded resolution which noted that "the Japanese Communists, with other extreme leftists, are endeavoring to coerce and undermine the constitutional government of Japan on behalf of the Communist bloc, who fear the ratification of the security treaty with the United States and have already been responsible for the unwarranted shedding of Japanese blood," and urged the Japanese government "to outlaw the Communist Party and subversive organizations" as well as "to intensify the campaign to inform the people of the danger they face from these traitorous elements." The resolution also urged other member units "to assist Japan in her anti-Communist struggle."
Other Resolutions
The conference adopted a number of other resolutions:
—On coexistence. Member units were urged "to intensify campaign to influence the Free World that only through democratic self-government can the rights of individual be preserved," to establish research organizations to coordinate facts of Communist intrigue, and to make such materials available to other APACL units.
—On neutralism. "All countries following a policy of neutralism conducive to Communist exploitation and aggression" were warned of the dangers of this policy and urged "to cooperate as fully as possible in the struggle to maintain the security of the Free World."
—On colonialism. The conference expressed "the fear that resistance to nations towards independence in Afro-Asian countries could prove profitable to communism," and urged "those powers who exercise colonial administration in countries where the people have expressed their desire for the right to self-determination" to give heed to this desire.
—On collective security. Member units were urged "to recommend to the governments of free nations in the Afro-Asian region that they maintain closer contacts by means of collective security organizations."
—On democracy. Member units were called on "to encourage other political and social organizations in the Afro-Asian region to dedicate themselves to the cause of progress by democratic means, to work for positive policies to be implemented in the social and economic development of their respective countries, and for the strengthening of regional and interregional cooperation."
—On cultural relations. To strengthen mutual understanding between free peoples, the conference recommended "the exchange of visits between people in a position to influence public opinion, the promotion of international cooperation in the arts and sciences, and the encouragement of all such activities as will result in the promotion of knowledge, understanding and friendship through educational and cultural organizations."
—On economic cooperation. Free nations were urged "to discourage trade with Communist countries" and "encourage the flow of capital to under-developed countries," to "remove all barriers to mutually profitable trade between themselves," and to "establish machinery for economic consultation."
—On Palestine. It was pointed out that "the Communist strategy in the Middle East is playing the Arab-Israeli issue of Palestine to perpetrate a situation of political and military disturbance in this area, and so raise pro-Communist sympathy and support in the Arab and North African countries." The present Communist infiltration in these countries, the conference believed, would "destroy national freedom and spiritual values." I recommended "the implementation of the resolution of the United Nations on Palestine" so as to restore justice and peace in this area.
—On Korea. The conference applauded "the people of the Republic of Korea for their services to freedom and democracy, especially for their staunch anti-communism." The Korean government was urged "to continue Korea's most valuable participation in this League."
—On Germany. The meeting declared its sympathy "with the subjugated part of the German people who are waging a hard struggle against their oppressors under the most difficult conditions for the defence of Europe and the entire Free World."
—On peoples shut behind the Iron Curtain. Member units were called on "to condemn Communist dictatorships or the fruits of their aggression and absolutely oppose all attempts to appease the rulers of the Iron Curtain countries." The conference also pledged "to continue our efforts to assist the enslaved peoples" and called upon them "to maintain their fight for freedom."
Conference Closes
After adopting the declaration, the Sixth APACL Conference drew to a close in the afternoon of June 22. It was a festive occasion. The spacious hall of the Armed Forces Officers' Club was again filled with guests and newsmen. In his closing address, Mr. Ku paid high respects to the delegates and observers for their "hard and strenuous work in the last few days and their spirit of solidarity and cooperation." He welcomed the admission of the three new members, mentioning specially Japan, "who has expressed her desire to join the League since a few years back and who is today in the midst of a battle against international communism."
The outgoing chairman of the League Council made three points which, in his opinion, were "vital to our tasks at hand." The first was the rendering of "our active support to all Afro-Asian countries in their fight for freedom and independence, for the establishment of democratic systems of government, and for the well-being of their people." Secondly, he called on all member units to strengthen and expand their organization" and to step up propaganda work "to bring the true face of communism and the aggressive intentions of the international Communist bloc to the knowledge of all people." And lastly, he urged all free people to dedicate their effort "to support the people behind the Iron Curtain in their fight for freedom."
Amid warm applause, Mr. Ku presented a miniature flag of the APACL to Mr. Bagatsing "as the symbol of the transference of the chairmanship of the League Council." He praised the chief Philippine delegate as "a determined anti-Communist fighter, and a man of rare ability and leadership." "I know the conference rejoices with me," he concluded, "in his election as the chairman of the APACL Council. And I have no doubt that under his brilliant leadership, the League will move toward bigger successes in the year to come, and that the Seventh Conference of 1961 in Manila, to which we all hope to attend, will reap even better fruits than this Conference."
A message of congratulation from President Carlos P. Garcia of the Philippines was received on the eve of the closing ceremony. Mr. Bagatsing responded by first reading President Garcia's message, which said: "The Republic of the Philippines joins the Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League in its gallant and noble efforts to expose, counter and ultimately nullify communism in all its forms. We are heartened by the information that the APACL is expanding its scope to attract peoples not only in Asia but also in the Middle East and in Africa in a supreme effort to make freedom, justice and democracy everywhere a reality. In this crusade, the Republic of the Philippines has done and will continue to do its part."
The new chairman of APACL ended his remarks with this sentence: "My dear friends, the Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient Seas, looks forward to the welcome she anxiously wishes to bestow on all of you next year."
Seeking A New Name
The Sixth APACL Conference left only one business unfinished, and did so purposely. It was the selection of a new name to correspond with the broadened basis of its organization. Since the Third Conference in 1957, when Australia became a member of the League, the term "Asian peoples" was already a bit stretched. With the presence of African observers in the APACL conference for the first time, it was the general feeling of the delegates that the name of the League was no longer adequate to cover its area of activity in order to meet with the increasing Communist threat in Asia, Africa and other continents.
Several names were suggested. The Ryukyuan delegation formally moved that the name of the League be change to "Afro-Asian Anti-Communist League for Freedom and Democracy." The New Zealand delegate, Mr. Melville L. Tronson, proposed that the words "anti-Communist," having only a negative connotation, should be substituted by some positive term. Others favored simply changing the title to "Asian, African and Australian People's Anti-Communist League."
The League Council opined that the matter should not be decided upon hastily. At its recommendation, the Sixth Conference adopted a resolution that the "Seventh APACL Conference will consider amending the title of the organization and accepting such consequent amendments to the Charter as may be necessary." The League Secretariat was instructed "to seek the views of the member units and observers on this matter" and communicate the result to the Manila conference in 1961.