A DANGER OF
THE CHINA MAIL MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1957.
"CONSTITUTIONAL COMMUNISM”
NINE years ago,
as if at a given algnal, the munist Party. What is the im- Communists throughout South-east Asia embarked plleation of this? upon armed insurrection. In Burma and Malaya, A few months ago the Bur- captured Rome although the insurgents have been much reduced in mese Army
Communis! documents, The strength, the fighting still drags on. Elsewhere, the Communists had previously put Communists have tended, in recent years, to prefer to the Government certain con- ballots to bullets. The Indonesian Communists staged ditions for a case-fire. the Madiun revolt in 1948, and failed. But they contested
In
the general election 18 months ago with considerable ARMED STRUGGLE success, emerging as one of the four largest parties. India, too, the Communists have gained an electoral victory in the state of Kerala, and, for the first time, India has a state Government which is Communist. It is also the first time that Communists anywhere have been able to form a Government by winning a free
election.
In the captured documents, the Communist leader, Thain Than Tun, explained to his followers the tactics of this move.
"The moment wo get a cease-
ore," he said, "we will use our democratle rights to continue the
By SAUL
ROSE
This, shift of Communist tacties in Asin poses some politi- cal problems. When the Com- munist tactic was armed rebel- Hon the issue was relatively simple: to fight back or zurren- der. The new tactic is a welcome change, because it is an ad- mission of failure. It is welcome also because it is better to have the Communists behaving constl tutionally, as if they were on
of every political party-but to night, to add to our strength and/ ordinary political party, rather use the constitutional machinery prepare once more for armed than as a gang of terrorists to win power in order to destroy struggle." hiding in the jungle. Even if it is trun that Communists can be that machinery and establish a For these reasons, dictatorship. mere dangerous when they turn respectable, it is also true that Communist Party, even when if the insurrection were ended it adopts constitutional methods, in Burma and Malaya much remains in a special category, human suffering, loss of life and waste of resources would be avolded. Both U Nu In Burma ani Tengku Abdul Rahman in Malaya have been prepared to offer generous terms to achieve that object.
a prominent British Socialist who is making a speciof study of the politics of South-east Asia at St Anthony's College, Oxford. He has medo an extensive tour of the area in order to be able to use practica! experience in furthoring his academic work.
COMMONSENSE
He went on to say: "While we are fighting within the de- moeratle fold, the armed method will have to be held in abeyance, but the final struggle will be with weapons."
It is with this
For the
Boglas' today---the · fasciauting · story of an orillaary visitor to Russia who went off the beaten track
I TRAVEL TOURIST
TO RUSSIA
was difficult to believe that I was really in Russia until, with a sudden stab of cold and exasperation (an exasperation I was often to feel), I walked away from my fellow tourists-into the Leningrad sun--- alone. Twenty of us were being taken re.norselessly round the grim old Peter Paul Fortress.
Like
we
prehistoric re- elegance that Peter tho like a ball of wool.
But radiant as a child. The These distinctive characteris- This is quite in line with Com-frigerators each cell was Great created.
bu sweet Ucs of Communist Parties are munist doctrine, although ex-solemnly opened and
extraordinary Clinging to me as I left, sturdy old women of Russia quite well known in Asia; and pressed somewhat more frankly were told, first in Russian yet there is a tendency, when than is usual.
calculation in their then in English, its dank uttering little marvelling the babushkas (grand- cries as she felt the arm of mothers), who unlike the they put on their best behaviour kind of and adopt constitutional methods, minds that Communists adopt record.
my sweater, was a character slightly jealously staring to accept them as the equals of constitutional tactics. other parties. They are encour- ike of conciliation, democrats Outside was Leningrad, a I was to meet again and younger women grabbed aged to abandon insurrection and may choose to ignore or forget city of gilded domes and again. A woman so old this creature from outer enter the arena of constitutional at their peril; for it does not
aníres peilles: but it does not stop follow that the Communists will flames over the paatelled be wound round her features wonderment and warmth.
hrid like match- that the wrinkles seemed to
space with unconcealed trying The policy-of
to there. They are also admitted to do the same. induce the Communists to strategic positions in the polit- abandon Insurrection in favour cal system which it is their alm of constitutional behaviours to destroy. Indonesia provides not difficult lo justify. It is recent example. of this. common sense. If somebody has President Sukarno's conception unorthodox views about property, of "guided democracy" seems to it is better that he should ex hove hinged upon the inclusion
the
in Communists
the pound those views from a politi- of cal platform rather than resort Cabinet and in the Nationai
But Council. In to robbery with violence.
Singapore, the when such a change of tactles is People's Action Party is based made, it does not mean that all on problems are solved.
the assumption that it is possible for non-Communists to collaborate with Communista There is a danger that Com- without being swallowed up. It munist behaviour will be taken is argued that if the Communists at its face value, and that when are treated like any other party, the Communists start behaving they may be weaned away from like other politesi parties it will their outside
and allegiancu be assumed that they have be- develop a national brand of come a political party like any Communism. This was the kind other. This assumption is false of argument used by the other for three obvious reasons. The political parties
Eastern
in
first is that Communist Parties Europe, before they were absorb retain an outside allegiance to cd or annihilated by the Com- Moscow or Peking--and take munists.
their directives from those
Faures,
the is shown by as
twists and turnings
of their
Party line, The second is that
no Communist Party ever comes There is fully into the open.
DIFFICULTIES
The recent happenings
significant that these
elfects
always a section of the Party Hungary and Poland have caused which remains under cover with tercal culties in the Asian the assignment of infltrating Communist Partles; but it is into other organisations in order to capture or disrupt them. The third is that the objecive of a Communist Party when it be- haves constitutionally not merely to win power-the aim
L
(MAPER]
Parasitic skin disease, itching Aczema etc.
'Mitigal
OIL & OIÑIMENT
•
»Bayer - LEVERKUSEN
GERMANY.
were produced from without and not from within the countries of Asia. National Communism may develop out of the strains and stress of the Communist system, as it did in the case of Yugoslavia, but there is no indi- cation Es yet that it can be fostered by other political parties adopting a corcillatory attitude towards the Communists.
There is, therefore, a vital cifference between encouraging Communists to adopt constitu- tional methods instead Df terrorism and peceping Com munist Parties as bona de partners in a political system. The former is desirable; the Jatter is highly dangerous. But often the · two are confused. There have beeri suggestions that the Communist Party in Burma and in Malaya should be "Igalised."
This appears to mean that they should be made constitu- terial. Yot when it is put in this way, it obviously does not make sense. For only the Com- munists can make their activi- tles constitutional-by abandon- ing insurrection and terrorism. What is often meant by this proposal--that the Burmese or Malayan Government should legalise the Communist Party- is that the Government should' come to terms with the Com-
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MOUNTINGS
FOR THE ATOM MISSILE
Extricating myself from her and the fortress I slashed through the mud into Russia,
Suddenly I found myself surrounded. Stared at, talk- ed at, tugged at. It was my tartan slacks!
'HOOLIGAN'
Those crews of mine got me more crowds in Russia than Monroe would rate
in Britain. I took my little dark crowd of followers around with me wherever I went.
They were not a very bright tartan and were cer- tainly not a right fit. But it was the Russian women who were rudest about them!
When I went around in them with an interpreter later, I got the translations of the comments they made, "Stilyagi," the women would shout-which means a sort of upper-class Teddy. Girl-for some of the teen- nge children of higher
by
ANNE SHARPLEY
GENADIG among
the ice flors
for dress in Englandi
under 15), they were a pleasant crowd to be with.
sot
Int 容
When we ate together at ina Intourist hotel we "Zenana"-a place out off with velvet curtaing and reserved for foreigners and important officials. So much for equality.
We sat over interminable anch fantastic brcalefastə of migared eroissarts, sausage, yoghurt, watery egg, arguing endlessly.
Bourlady
the
Nor did my fellow seem to be as- wary.
as I was that some of the things we were shown wena "set pieces" pus on for the benefit of tourists.
We were taken to see Plorer Falece in Leningrad, now a sort of super Youth Centre. It was formerly a lave- nest built along Versailles Hea for Peter the Great's daughter, Now, we were told, children played in the corridors and halls. In one salon in particuihr, where theng were two 2011, high Venction glass randelabra that # rude word
fin vree would shattered, the Russian children were supposed to play freely. Indeed thero were children there. But I berged heave doubt that the plays spontaneous
that the speeches, songs, dances and so on that we were treated to SETY not, curtfully rehearsed,
or
ما
It was all so fingerprintless, footmarkleen and lick that was slightly appalled.
I
Everyone ele in the patty, however, yos impressed. If this was natural children's play. -1
# exchanged giggles with the cheerful women street cleaners,..
clans were all mach mono docile as children than I was.
officials ere being very anchored midstream, from could only conclude that Rus- much criticised for copying whence he had swum, he posed
for me handsomely. Western styles.
"Igor?
Barks? Vladimir?"
However ordanty the small When the women really I asked.
ones were the benagers, ora wanted to be withering
clearly a different story. That "Genadig." he repied We evening in a hotel which is in they would call me "Hooli-
willed, shook hands, and as I exactly what the Edwardian gan," which means much tramped off along the beach I style might have been if it had the same in Russian as it turned to see Genadig standing, been allowed to go on getting does to us.
arms up, praling the thin aun- heavier and freavler--I met the shine like a Malayan oun bear. stilyagik.
Two minutes later I was co-
The men were kinder. Sometimes they were en- ing bread and drinking mineral LATEST HIT thusiastic... "Beautiful"
Our or water with four sallons. "Most original," they would total conversation was the word
"Liverpool," where they had A 100-stringy band was play- call.
"Dark My camere ing
Town Stružbena presumably been, and pockets were explored by Bail"the latest hit tune to be three little boys, and I ex let in by the post-Stalin show. changed giggles with a cheerful, Dancing as though they were rugged bunch of women street Istening to some completely different tung were tho, gildach cleaners.
youth of Leningrad, dressed in Aft lant I really balleved I was a caricature of the West in Russia.
One girl had obviously stent p Gelting to Russia as a tourist pitame of the Italian cus dad sumprisingly easy. There had plastered round her fore-
But the first time they gathered round me making I these comments couldn't even guess of them the meaning. So I chatted back happily in English,
WE SMILED
KAL
was a third-class trip going head an armangement that, look- from London and I erzängod to ed like meat-books, Their catch up with them in Leningrad clothes were not by any meand
Nobody understood what and stay with them for five poor-just appallingly citriny was being said on either days. Only one agency in Lon- and badly coloured. But come-
third-class disused. N. American plan to let Britain out of atomic should be made not be the side, but a general impres- don, a mall but very efficient hows more touched
Washington.
Jackson suggested the decision
25.00 A retallation by substituting nuclear towered is thould a charte no, pay, dane sion of antamatad, goodwill dep
8.50, marine missile bases for land bases in England has been 25.00 presented to President Eisenhower.
35.00
Eisenhower.
He proposed:
7.50 Theory behind the plan: From HENRY LOWRIE
7.50 an enemy would concentrate
on
destroying the sub- 5.00 marines, leaving Britain un- 10.00 scathed.
4,50 Inventor of the scheme is 44-
Democratic 1.00year-old
Senalar 3.00 Henry M. Jackson, of Washing
- INTELLINGTON
was created and after a time group tours (£120 for 24 days), to and they have seven tours I was allowed to continue usein this year.
alone.
This who another side of Russla. This pathetic longing for Western things-the Basty
w matching of my fishdon magas
My fellow tourists beture of Britons, Australians, zines, the eager qucation and
200205. a few people, envious to bo Canadians and
These WEDO whỏ wanted to be born in Rusola, who were re- women turning to have a look round. feminino but didn't know quite
political sympathies how to start. Their enged from an ardent believer (chip on the shoulder variety)
u
I wandered through the sun shine to the river bank confronted of all unexpected bases.... 11 is a matter of plain The President, with the help things, by a large brown early geography in the ago of weapons of the National Security Council, naked sailor. He was standing of mass destruction:
should personally re-examine the among the ice floes at the edge "The problem, however, would question of whether enough of the Hiven Nova, be different it Britain were effort, enough money and enough primarly defended by a force of priority is being given to the Imperturbable and splendid ton State, who speaks with some submarino based missiles,
development ot 1.50
Bon-based he gave to a look that authorily. He siis on the Armed "These weapons would not be 'misalie lounching systems. 1.50 Services Committee and is "in dotting the British countrysido...
.30 the know"
about America's near London or Manchester or The President should con- 30 secret weapons as chairman of Edinburgh. They would be de tider seeking assistance from
the very special, very hush- ployed far out at sea-well Presidentially appointed Com .30
hush Military Applications Bub- 2.00 committee of the Joint Atomie beyond direct fall-out range of mission on Ballistic Soapower.
Britain's population,
In pressing for what he called -12.00 Energy Committee,
"A sea based mimile forro "Save the polee"" and "Save our In a Senato speech he said: should have enormous appeal for eltics" submarine forces, he said "Dritain is a comparatively tiny our allies, especially in Europe. "Hidden, widely deployed, over Dountry.
Her cities and It could provide a maximum 'on the move missile submarines 'SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LTD.
population
not deterrent to Moscow with rew, would be ezotnbualy difficult to could KOWLOON cape from a Soviet airwatomie duced danger to home terri- locate and even more discult to
attack direntod -- aguinal Rettich "turies.?.
desirer.
Outline Relief Map of China
*
Moomin Music Sheet Korean Artists
HONGKONG
Asla
S.E. Asia
On Sale At
Beyranar malght havo onvind.
Smiling nervously, I pointed
my camere inquiringly.
We left Leningrad, by the
to fellow travellers of the plea overnight train to Moscow. But
Band well-enonning sont and sovica over muttora liice aloógdian those who wanted to like and comportariomis
contradict themselves.
believe,
But ocet wero just plain
In the couchy whero's low ourious. Although Version and neckline is simply not allowed dempers' occasionally road`end a I found myself sharing a sleep-- lot of extreemdinary, information ing compartment with threo Waving his aren sterly to was bartened (one of the party, ther indicate that the ploturn munt dor instance, told me once, that
All men not include his corvette, you could not buy *; a cotton
TOMORROW
London - Mapées Enrolce,
I TRY TO GATECRASH RED SQUARE:
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