Page 2 University Daily Kansan
Forces in China Stand Stalemated
(Editor's Note:: This is the last of two articles on the Chinese situation as it stands today.)
Chiang Kai-Shek was chosen president of China in 1948, but the Communists won battle after battle and pushed their way relentlessly southward. After resigning his office in January 1949, Chiang resumed his duties in March 1950, three months after Nationalists had been forced to flee to Formosa—now their sole island in the Communist sea.
The Nationalists proclaimed in 1950 that they were against Communism, were advocates of the United Nations, were for academic freedom, thought, and religious belief, and that "when we recover our mainland we shall show no mercy to Chinese Communist leaders and their collaborators."
While Chiang was not in office Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China in September 1949 in Peiping. Almost immediately he signed a 30-year treaty of "friendship, alliance and mutual assistance" with Russia.
The Communist policy there has been to divide up large landholdings, establish controls for imports and exports, halt inflation, and rebuild Manchurian industries. Ousted by this regime were foreign missions and religious schools. Education was revived to teach the Marxian economy. Radio propaganda, and to a lesser degree, all forms of propaganda, is carried on constantly against the U.S.
The country has seen few years of 100 per cent peace. In its known history, which dates back to 2852 B.C., it has had to withstand attacks from such warriors as the Huns, Tibetans, Tartars, savages in the country itself, Siberians, Japanese, and innumerable civil wars. During the past 1,000 years northern China has been ruled more than half the time by alien invaders.
Now the two forces face each other across 110 miles of China Sea. Chiang realizes that his 600,000-man army, although undoubtedly better trained than that of the Communists, cannot hope to cope with the untold millions of Red soldiers. Mao realizes that the small band on Formosa is not giving him too much trouble, so he probably will not attempt an attack.
With that, the oldest nation in the world stands stalemated, even among the powers of the world who do not know which to recognize.
The current struggle between Chiang and Mao is little more than a repeat performance of what has transpired in China through its 24 dynastic histories and modern times. The two philosophies may come together or one may be discarded if the old "rule" that once a dynasty had lost its moral claim to the throne little could save it is still true in modern Chinese thought.
There is little basic difference in the current feud—only the names are changed.
Chna's history shows many such periods when the "real" ruler or party either had many long years or was destroyed in rapid succession. Time after time dynastic decline went hand in hand with increasing inefficiency of the ruling house. This may happen again as the persons get fed up with one or the other of the two conflicting idealogies.
Major upheavals in the past usually were instigated by the lowly peasants who could stand no more oppression. These peasants might be compared with the Red soldiers of today, at least if reports about Red tactics in the Korean War were correct.
U. S. policy toward China has ranged from involvement to abstention, action to inaction.
Our trade with China began in 1785 at Canton under the guidance of British companies. In 1844 we signed a peaceful treaty for open trade and in 1899 came out strongly for the Open Door for trade policy. In this century we have stood more or less for the territorial integrity of China.
Public opinion in America has been of support for China, possibly because of its long war with Japan and the traditional American attitude of being for the underdog. But when the Communists were trying to gain the power they were in the underdog role, but once again it is the Nationalists who are the oppressed.
And the American fear of communism makes us support Chiang's government and tend to repeal the other.
Although it will never come about, the best solution for China's troubles, or the world's for that matter, was spoken by the man many consider one of the all-time great thinkers, Confucius.
He said "Do not do to others what you do not wish done to you."
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibler
Stan Hamilton
The oafish behavior of a group of photographers added nothing constructive to Prof. Rhys Carpenter's brilliant Humanities Series lecture Tuesday night. One by one these wiltless individuals arose in the darkened theater to snipe at the speaker with their flash equipped press cameras. In all, they must have fired on him two dozen times and with each blinding flash the continuity of the lecture was disrunted.
...Letters ...
Let us hope that out of consideration for our visiting lecturers, for common courtesy, and for better photography, this practice will not continue.
Lesser men than Prof. Carpenter would have qualified before the onslaught, but he continued without pause as though trying to ignore the presence of the vandals. The rising tone of his voice, however, belied the anger he must have felt.
This treatment of visiting lecturers is not at all new to KU. On the contrary, it seems as though the photographer with his flashgun and clattering film holders is an ever increasing feature. But only rarely does a photographer sit through an entire lecture. More often, he does his damage and then stumbles in front of the speaker and out of the room.
—Dale L. Johnson.
On observing the photographers' approach to the problem of taking Prof. Carpenter's picture one wonders what they hoped to achieve. Certainly they didn't waste their time at a Humanities lecture just to photograph the back of his head. And yet, several of the pictures were taken when the speaker had his head turned away from the photographers.
It is clear that these student photographers need practice, but perhaps something less obtrusive could be arranged. For example, they might find it quite gratifying to photograph each other.
To the editor:
As I read last Wednesday's Kansan headlines announcing the official "death" of FACTS party many questions remained unanswered as to the validity of such action. No, I'm not proposing that the Greek-dominated Student court review the situation, for undoubtedly the death rattle of an organization that was betrayed by its own leaders became noticeable almost a year ago—however, perhaps the Kansan readers would be interested in knowing just how the actual dissolution took place.
Although I checked the Kansan notice column and the union bulletin notices, no FACTS meeting was announced for Tuesday, March 2, at 9:30. Through the grape-vine however, I learned there would be such a meeting. Undoubtedly a quorum was present, although the president and vice president of AGI helped comprise same.
It was all rather simple as clockwork; minutes were read, treasurer's report given, and then a succession of motions were made, resulting in the dissolution of FACTS, a surrender of their records, properties, and even an option on office space. True enough a quorum was present of individuals possessing FACTS membership cards, (which I do not possess) but a quorum by-in-large composed of AGI officers, members, and fellow-travelers.
I wish to pose one question: Is this any more unethical than the Republic's joining the Democrats and subsequently voting to erase the Democrats as an organization, even though it would be a good way to eliminate competition?
Jack Buchanek
"I'm afraid Worthal has flunked his final."
Publick Occurrences BOTH FORREIGN AND DOMESTICK Friday, April 2, 1954
CAMPUS
Look for the KU debating twosome of Bill Arnold and Hubie Bell, college juniors, to return from the April 21-24 West Point national tournament with one of the top two trophies.
Easter (or spring, if you prefer) vacation next year probably will be changed to coincide with Easter Sunday instead of a week before the Holy day as this year. Much dissatisfaction has been expressed here recently over the seemingly more important KU Relays.
This year's Engineering Exposition, to be held April 16 and 17 in conjunction with the Relays, will be the biggest and best by far in the 34-year history of the event.
STATE
KU Young Democrats for the first time in years have a chance to do some real, live campaigning during vacation due to the entry into the gubernatorial race of Lawrence banker George Docking. But don't expect the local resident to do too good a job of bucking the powerful Democratic machines in a pair of the state's larger cities.
NATIONAL
Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, after telling Americans that there will be no major concessions made to Russia at the upcoming Geneva conference, won't be able either to propose or accept anything approaching a satisfactory agreement on the Indochinese problem.
And don't think Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R.-Wis.) has slowed down because of the current squabble with the Army. Expect him to charge high civilian officials with graft, fraud, and what not as soon as the Stevens thing has blown over. This may help divert some of the fury directed at his own shortcomings or may be designed to frighten off antagonists.
INTERNATIONAL
The French now feel it is required to adapt gradually to reality. Therefore, don't be surprised if the French National Assembly approves the European army treaty soon.
Look for more protests the world over concerning U.S. nuclear testing in the Pacific ocean. Many friendly nations have been upset by the intensity of the recent explosions and will push for a halt.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial editor Don Tice
Assistants Letty Lemon.
Court Ernst.