6
In an outstanding leading article on 25th
September, 1946 the "Times" outlines the part which Britain
35-
might play in Europe. "The dominant wole" says the writer "which
social and economic questions are likely to play in determining
the destinies of Europe becomes more apparent every day.
If
the issue which lies behind many of the debates in Paris is the
issue between Adam Smith and Karl Marx, between an American leaning towards unregulated private enterprise and a Soviet pre- dilection for a fully regimented economy, Great Britain is
committed to neither extreme, and in her own affairs would repudiate both "The writer emphasises that any impression that
Britain identifies herself whooly with American policy would be a travesty of her real outlook and adds:- "The time has arrived when, in self interest, no less than in the broader interests of the nations, Great Britain must seize the occasion to press
the fruits of her own experience as a contribution, which might
be decisive, to international economic accord".
If those words are true of Europe they are
even more true of China. All the evidence points to the fact that the Chinese Communists are not rigid Marxist sectarians but people. who wish to secure for the peasants an honest, co- operative system which combines equality of opportunity and a
Ruthless and planned economy with a me economic independence.
unreasoning opposition may drive the Chinese Communists into
an exclusive alliance with Russia but at present their programme
seems to have much in common with that of the Labour Party in Great Britain. Yet at present Britain has no official contacts
whatsoever with Communist China and even unofficial contacts are
fraught with appalling difficulties.
Might not the establishment
of some official liaison þave the way for mediation more effective because it would be less compromised and more disinterested than the efforts of General Marshall and of the American Ambassador?
Here the argument must return to Hong Kong, for
in diplomacy deeds speak more loudly than words. High sounding declarations by the Foreign Secretary about the purity of Britain's motives in China will cut little ice if race prejudice still in