EAST ASIAN NATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 105, 16 February 1950, Page 5

EAST ASIAN NATIONS

FIGHT AGAINST COMMUNISM SHORT-RANGE AID (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright). (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) BANGKOK, Feb. 15. The United States regional conference of diplomatic envoys from the countries of Asia devoted the final session to-day almost exclusively to urgent short-range military and economic assistance required immediately to strengthen East Asian nations’ capacity to resist Communism. The. envoys reported country by country on what the specific immediate Western aid each Asian Government most urgently requested. An envoy who attended tiie meeting said: “All East Asia is clamouring for guns and dollars —on quick delivery. A roster w r ill have to be arranged listing priorities or who is most worthy of receipt of short-range aid, who can most effectively use it, and who leads himself most honestly to helping us help him. We still have not by a long way unsnarled the problem of how best to help each territory ri Asia to help itself and its neighbours. Envoy’s reports showed with staggering clarity the diversity of needs between the countries and the lack of a readily exploitable cohesive force to hold SouthEast Asia together. Internal struggles within some recognised governments alone sent booming echoes of unreality issuing from tlieir pleas for costly aid.”

Treaty Discussed

The conference also heard frank reports by envoys on the diplomatic temper of some East Asian Governments which recently turhed lethargic, fatalistic and sceptical of tjie'chances of receiving any effective Western aid before th’e onslaught of the Communist invasion or insurrection.

When the news reached them, the envoys held an' immediate discussion of the implications of the Sino-Russian Treaty. They extended the final session until to-night to assure the conclusion of the conference. A communique on to-day’s activities says: “Specific attention was paid to fears which had been expressed by certain Governments that their independence is or may be threatened >by Communist attempts to overthrow established Governments and to subordinate States to the control of the international Communist movement.” It is learned from sources connected with the United States conference of Asian diplomats that the-United States Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, is likely to resign within six to eight weeks, and that the American Am-bassador-at-Large, Mr Philip Jessup, is expected to fill the post. Mr Jessup, who is chairman of the conference of diplomats, leaves for a tour of the Indian continent on February 17 before returning to the United States.