For & Against Peking

The Red China debate had the floor last week at the U.N. General Assembly. With their motives ranging from fellow-Communism to "realism," in favor of seating Red China were: Cuba, the Eastern European satellites, Yugoslavia, U.A.R., Sweden, Ceylon, Indonesia, Ghana and Burma. But some states were troubled. Nigeria's Jaja Wachuku could not accept the expulsion of Nationalist China as a "condition" for the admission of Red China, since the Nationalist government "has under it 11 million people" and is a U.S. ally, so that any attempt to conquer it could lead to a threat of war. Wachuku also noted that there was no indication that Red China even wanted to join the U.N., and suggested that Peking's "friends" ought to get an answer to this question and, at the same time, discover if Red China was willing to abide by the U.N. Charter obligations.

Australia, Paraguay, Colombia and Costa Rica were firmly against Peking membership. Japan's Katsuo Okazaki ranged himself with the U.S., but hopefully suggested that recognition of two Chinas might be a way out. Canada's Alfred Brooks voiced "grave doubts" that Peking would qualify as "peace loving" and in his conclusion seemed to edge toward a "study committee" for the entire issue of Chinese representation.

At week's end, 37 speakers were yet to be heard from. Experts guessed that the Soviet resolution to seat Red China would get 38 votes for, 47 against, with the other 18 not voting.

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