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"The question whether China goes democratic or totalitarian is the biggest political question of today. . . . American modes of influence are cultural persuasion, the example of prosperity, skilled technical assistance, capital investment, and above all, military and economic supplies. Russia's weapons are conspiratorial organization and party-controlled propaganda, leading to seizure of power and a liquidation of all democrats, and if necessity arises, military invasion in the name of liberation'. . . .
"ProCommunists are playing the same game in Asia that succeeded so brilliantly in Eastern Europe. . . . But there is one big difference—that is the size of China. To sell out Chiang Kai-shek to the Chinese 'Tito' [Mao Tse-tung] will not add a paltry 13,000,000 to the totalitarian Colossus. It will bring under totalitarian regimentation 450,000,000 people. This vast population, united in their policy with the Soviet totalitarian empire of some 200,000,000, would certainly threaten the hope for a democratic world."
Whether these fears were exaggerated or groundless, history might soon tell. In any case, one deterrent to their realization might well be the new Chinese Army which Lieut. General Wedemeyer was forging. In this sense, last week's military successes might not only have started China down the hard road to Tokyo, but down the harder road to peace, justice and freedom for all nations.
* One of them, Colonel General Alfred Jodl, now a war prisoner (see INTERNATIONAL), wrote Wedemeyer a long letter in 1940, explaining just how the German breakthrough in France was accomplished. * Latest available figure: 50,000 tons a month, or three times more than the best tonnage of the old Burma Road. * Last week it was announced that an entire army (China's Sixth Army) has been flown in from Burma by U.S. transport planes.