CO129-593-1 Future policy- unofficial views 18-6-1946 - 28-12-1946 — Page 35

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In an outstanding leading article on 25th

September, 1946 the "Times" outlines the part which Britain

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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