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him, I was left with the impression of the truth of the old adage that "truth is many sided". I do not propose to go into these matters more than I can help, and, indeed, in view of what was claimed to be the controversial nature of the statements, I think, like Agag of old, that I had better walk a little delicately. That is what I propose to do.
It is, however, odd that no reference has been made to the Joint Declaration by the three Foreign Ministers at Moscow in December, 1945, because it is, after all, by that Declaration that we are bound, and it is to that Declaration that we adhere. May I remind your Lordships what that Declaration was, and will your Lordships notice that it falls into four parts? The Declaration stated that the three Foreign Secretarios -
"wero in agreement as to the need for a unified and democratic China under the National Government for broad participation by democratic elements in all branches of the National Government, and for a cussation of civil strife,"
and they reaffirmed their adherence to the policy of non- interference in the internal affairs of China. By those four propositions wo are bound, and we desire to be bound.
May I take the first of them - "the nood for a unified and democratic China under the National Government"? This, of course, implied our continuod recognition of the Chinese National Government under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shok as the legal Government of China, and our support of the offorts of that Government to achieve unity and democracy. This has been and is our policy. It is quite untrue to say, as I have sometimes heard said, although I have not heard it said to-day, that we desire to see a disunitod China. Our desire is exactly the opposite, to see a strong, united and democratic China, taking her rightful place as one of the leading nations in the whole world. But if we want to see China a great democracy and truly democratic, it follows that she must not be subject to totalitarian rule imposed by any one clique or Party, and therefore we would welcome the fulfilment of that part of the Moscow Declaration with regard to the "broad participation by democratic elements in all branches of the National Government.'
Your
Great offorts have boon mado during the past year to bring into being such a broad-based Government. On behalf of His Majesty's Governinent I should like here to pay a sincere tribute to the patient and untiring efforts of that It is not his fault that great American, General Marshall. his attempts at reconciliation have been unfruitful. lordships will have seen from his published statement how exceedingly difficult his task has been. He has certainly done everything he can to bring some agreement between the two Chinese factions. His Majesty's Government earnestly hope that such agreement may still be possible, and will do everything they can to help in bringing about such agreement.
I do not intend to follow the negotiations of the past year, or to assess the merits or allocate the blame, in view
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