U.S. Ought to Recognize China, Fairbank Tells Political Forum

The United States should unilaterally recognize Communist China, as one ingredient of a new China policy, John K. Fairbank '29, professor of History, told the first parliamentary assembly of the Political Forum last night in Sever 37.

A packed crowd of over 150 people, including over 50 delegates, also heard H. Bradford Westerfield, instructor in Government, address the resolution, "Resolved: That the United States is justified in its present policy towards Communist China, including non-recognition."

While both speakers specified their particular reservations to the topic, Fairbank in the main attacked the present U.S. policy, while Westerfield defended it. The only specific point of agreement came on the question of the offshore islands, Quemoy and Matsu, which each held indefensible.

After the two introductory talks, the floor was thrown open to student participation, as representatives of the nine Forum organizations, seated according to their stand on the resolution, began a vigorous counter debate. Student speakers were about evenly divided on both sides, though no final poll of the delegates was taken.

Charging that Chiang Kai Shek is "incompetant" and "unimaginable" and that the current policy was partially brought about by "China Lobby," Fairbank stated that the United States no longer has predominance in Asia. We must rethink Chinese relations, he stated.

Westerfield defended the present U.S. policy as about as good as it could be, with the single reservation that the offshore islands are really not worth defending.

Other considerations in our policy, Westerfield added, are retaining the loyalty of Chinese outside China, not appearing to be backing down to the rest of Asia, and not violating our treaty with Chiang and our other Far Eastern Allies.