Massive Decision

At long last, the U.S. seemed about ready for a massive decision -- whether to get all the way in or all the way out of China. The question: should the U.S. throw its full support behind Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's Government or permit China (with its nearly 500 million people and vast resources) to become, directly or indirectly, a Soviet satellite? From Nanking came reports that General George Marshall had asked for an updating of U.S. opinion of the Chinese situation and an estimate of probable popular reaction to various alternative U.S. moves.

In Washington the consensus was that the U.S. is preoccupied with developments in Paris, in eastern Europe, and with its domestic troubles (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS). The public was concerned about Russian aims but did not yet clearly understand their connection with events in China. The Cabinet was reported to be influenced by Commerce Secretary Henry A. Wallace's vigorous dislike of the Kuomintang and by the unwillingness of many members to make a clear-cut decision on China that would lead to a loud public argument. It was again proposed that President Truman simply reaffirm his declaration of last December (TIME, Dec. 17-24), though many China experts in Washington believe it has outlived its usefulness.

One point was clear: if the U.S. does not openly and quickly give full material and economic support to the Nationalist Government, China must pass into the Russian orbit. This could only mean a U.S. strategic retreat to the line of the Marianas Islands.

In China the civil war flamed briskly. It was a week of military setbacks for the Communists. After capturing Chengteh with surprising ease, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's armies were closing in on Chihfeng, last big Communist base in Jehol. Purpose of the campaign: to clear the railroad from Peiping to Mukden and to free from Communist threat the Government corridor from North China to Manchuria. The Jehol offensive also put flank pressure on Kalgen, capital of Chahar province and the Communists' No.1 base.

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