Embarrassing Guests

When Britain recognized Communist China 14 months ago, Malcolm MacDonald, British High Commissioner for Southeast Asia, said in Singapore: "Recognition in China of the Communist ministers . . . does not involve any slackening of hostility here to the Communist terrorists . . ." But the Chinese Communist guerillas in Malaya interpreted recognition as a sign of British weakness, and fought harder than ever.

Last week the British faced the logical consequence of their recognition of Red China. A peremptory cable from Peking demanded that Prime Minister Attlee permit a delegation from the Chinese People's Relief Committee to investigate "the condition of suffering overseas Chinese" in Malaya. Since London recognizes the passports of the Chinese People's Republic, the British Foreign Office may have difficulty in refusing the Red request.

Meanwhile, the Peking Reds continue to snub His Majesty's Government, refuse to exchange ambassadors. Peking uses British recognition to embarrass London's Foreign Office, and Britain gets no compensating advantage.

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