Keystone

When Congress asked his advice on U.S. China policy, General Douglas MacArthur last week cabled from Tokyo:

"If we embark upon a general policy to bulwark the frontiers of freedom against the assaults of political despotism, one major frontier is no less important than another, and a decisive breach of any will inevitably threaten to engulf all. . . . Fragmentary decisions in disconnected sectors of the world will not bring an integrated solution. . . .

"Because of deep-rooted racial and cultural and business ties, we are prone to overconcentrate on happenings and events to our east and to underemphasize the importance of those to our west. America's past lies deeply rooted in the areas across the Atlantic, but the hope of American generations of the future . . . lies no less in the happenings and events across the Pacific. . . .

"The Chinese problem is part of a global situation which should be considered in its entirety in the orientation of American policy. ... It would be utterly fallacious to underrate either China's needs or her importance. . . .

"The international aspect of the Chinese problem unfortunately has become somewhat clouded by demands for internal reform. Desirable as such reform may be, its importance is but secondary to the issue of civil strife now engulfing the land, and the two issues are as impossible of synchronization as it would be to alter the structural design of a house while the same was being consumed by fire.

"Underlying all issues in China now is the military problem. Until it is resolved, little progress can be expected toward internal rehabilitation regardless of the extent of outside aid. Once it is resolved, however, there is little doubt that China's traditional resiliency will provide the basis for rapid recovery to relative stability.

"I can say without the slightest hesitation that a free, independent and friendly China is of profound importance to the peace of the world and to the position of the U.S. It is the fundamental keystone to the Pacific arch "

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