End of an Argument

As Government troops closed on Yenan last week, leaders of opposing groups in the Kuomintang allowed themselves a brisk foreign policy debate, largely on the preoccupying question of relations with Russia. Here is the account of TIME Correspondent Frederick Gruin:

Good, greying Wang Shih-chieh, China's Foreign Minister, generally regarded as one of the progressive-minded "Political Science Group," had reported on the past year's conduct of foreign affairs. But few members of the Kuomintang council who listened--and especially the right-wing "CC" clique--were satisfied with the way the Chinese Government had followed the U.S. Far Eastern policy of trying to pla cate Russia. They cleared their throats for some sounding off. Next day it came. Accentuate the Positive. Said mandarin-gowned Ku Cheng-ting: "We are suffering either from fear of Russia or from hate of Russia. Neither feeling is right, for each is negative. The U.S. and Britain have taken an open, positive attitude toward Russia. We, too, can adopt such an attitude."

Why had there been no Chinese protest over looting in Manchuria? Ku found fault, too, with Wang's attitude toward the U.S.--China could use the $500 million credit, but not on cringing conditions: "We must have courage. ... If we feel a course is right, we must follow it even at the risk of failure. . . ."

A procession of Wang's critics followed until, finally, long-gowned, gnomelike Shao Li-tse spoke up for fellow liberal Wang and next-door neighbor Russia: "We must remember China and Russia have a long, common border. We must have friendship with Russia . . . must remember Russia, .in spite of recent actions, helped our revolution in the past . . . actually gave us the first outside material aid ... against Japan."

"In foreign policy," Wang's defender said, "we must be careful. This is no time for desperate heroics. . . ."

Original Critic Ku burst in: "Everyone knows about the long frontier. ... Be firm--with respect--and you'll be treated with firmness and respect." There was applause.

Eliminate the Negative. Now it was time for Foreign Minister Wang to speak for himself. Outwardly composed but inwardly agitated, Wang defended his record. He reminded his colleagues: "To carry out an effective national policy we must have a united front of all China. If this is impossible, we must have a united front of the party." Then, stung as only a face-conscious Chinese high official can be by the criticism of his official juniors, Wang said the debate convinced him that he was not "the man to carry on." He would, indeed, be grateful for a rest and would offer his resignation as Foreign Minister.

This did not silence the critics, either.

"Wrong attitude!" shouted one party-man. "When anyone criticizes a Minister he wants to resign. A Minister must accept criticism and strive to correct his faults. Wrong attitude!"

Ruffled Wang promptly sent his resignation to the Generalissimo, was summoned by the Gimo to a brief but emphatic session, where Wang was scolded for his negative attitude. Said Chiang Kaishek: "Everybody wants to resign! To whom can I resign? You go back to your post." Wang did. Two days later the Gimo told the party session he himself took full responsibility for Wang's course in foreign affairs. Then the Kuomintang central committee passed a resolution approving the foreign policy.

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