BLIND SPOT

Nations, like individuals, may harbour blindspots. It happens that the blindspot of the United States is China. Those hopeful souls inside and outside America, including of course some Republicans, who expected radical changes in American foreign policy after the election of a Democratic President must now be wondering if they did not after all miscalculate slightly. After the unambiguous statements of President Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk, there can be no doubt on the new administration's attitude to China. There are many in the United States, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt among them, who find Washington's refusal to recognise realities tiresome. But with the majority of Americans China is not a political or international problem; it is a national psychology and only a very brave Government will have the courage to do anything to violate this sentiment. Of course, no one expected the Kennedy administration to reverse the policy of its predecessors; during the election campaign the Democrats contented themselves by making a great to -do about Quemoy and Matsu and, in the heated television controversy with the Republicans over the defence of these bleak pieces of rock in the China Sea, fundamental questions like the regognition of China got hopelessly lost.Therfore, the Democrats cannot be pinned down to any promise.

President Kennedy would like to see a lessening of tension between the United States and China. But what would the United States do to bring about this happy state of affairs? Neither the President nor the Secretary of State has any concrete suggestions to offer.The amusing aspect of the issue is that Washington wants to see improvement of relations with a country and Government that does not, in its official eyes, exist! Mr. Rusk is right that the seating of China in the United Nations will lead to very serious problems.

But these are problems which the United States and the world cannot avoid facing for all time to come. Non-recognition is creating even bigger problems and what Washington must decide whether it is not wise to do today what it will be compelled to do tomorrow. Mr. Rusk's suggestion that the question will have to be discussed with America's allies is pertinent. Britain has made it known that it will vote for China's seating. Other European powers have been straining at the leash held by Washington. Is it the Secretary of State's intention to persuade America's allies to hold their hand? All that the present attitude indicates is that American foreign policy is truly bipartisan.