Current Events Review

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Part of Current Events Review

Title: Current Events Review
Issue Date: Vol. III (No. 9) March 1948
Year: 1948
Language: English
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extracted text: * Why is the Geneva Trade Pact Significant? March, 1948 CURRENT EVENTS REVIE\X' A newsmagazine that completes and makes up-to-date the study of history and other social science subjects. DIOSDADO G. CAPINO Editor D. R. MANLAPA2 Publisher NICOLAS ONGKINGKO Circulation Manager In this is1uePOLICARPIO G. DANGALIO DOMINGO C. SERION Researchers VENANCIO NEBRIDA Circulation Representative \Vl1y is Lhe Eurnpl:'an Rcco\'ery PrograJ!l Significant? 257 Is the Europrnn Rrcon•ry Program a Sound l1wr:olmrnl? 260 \\.'hy is the Grne,·a Trnclr Pact Significanl? 262 \\'ill Rn!l!lia':;. PJ.m for Europe Succrrd? 2h1 \\'hat is } lappcning T odar lnsidr the Iron Curtain? 2<18 Atomic Commission Outlinrs Scirnce Problem 2;" I \Vhy is II.ere No Peace in the Two lndias Today? '273 Significant \Vorlcl News Roundup 277 Tl1e Phil;ppinrs and tl1e \Vorlcl 2f-12 Sprcial Report on tl1r Arli\'ilir!I of 1lu~ l}nitcJ N';1lions 2.,•.q Science MnrdJC·s On '.?~6 Pul1lislted mouthly except 1'1ay an<l J1111e by MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila Subscription: P3.00 a year, Pl.50 a semester, 30 centavos per copy. 'Vhen changing address give old as well as new addres~. Address all communi .. cations to the Current Events Review. Copyright, 1948 by D. R. Manlapaz and D. G. Capino. All rights reserYed. Entered as second-class mail matter Januar) 9, 1947 at the Manila post-office. Why is the European Economic Recovery Program Significant? Spec?fie objectives: 1. To understand the present conditions of Europe. 2. To appreciate the efforts exerted by the United States in helping the European countries rehabilitate their economies. The United States Congress is now considering the European Recovery Program (ERP), commonly referred to as the Marshall Plan. The program presented by President Truman for ronsideration by Congress is the result of the proposals submitted by 16 European nations which had decided to accept the suggestions given by Secretary at State George C. Marshall in his speech delivered at the· Harvard University on June 5, 1947. One of the best radio addresses de· livered on the significance of· the European Recovery Program was delivered by William Clayton, chairman of the U. S. delegation to the United Nations eonference on trade and employment at Havana and former Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs. What are the important facts given by William Clayton? Why is the ERP significant? The answers to these questions are given in the following extracts from Clayton's radio address: Qm1stion deserving attention "I want to talk to you very briefly this evening about the European recoverY ·. program, coml)1only referred to as the Marshall Plan. I realize fully that few subjects have been as widely discussed as this one. Newspapers, magazines, the radio, the Congressional Record, are JiteWorld Problem rally full of the Marshall Plan. Thia very excess of P.resentation and argument has served in many cases to confuse the real issue. Doubtless many of you are honestly wondering what course the United States should follow in this matter. "You are probably asking whether Europe really needs so much help, and if so why we should prqvide it in addition to the billions which we poured into Europe through lend-lease, UNRRA, the Export-Import Bank and otherwise. You may be saying that Europe Should go back to work. And you may be thinking if we must help, why not give them such food and coal as we can spare and let it go at that. Finally, you may be afraid of the effects of the Marshall Plan on inflation at home. All these are perfectly natural questions, desen?ing very thoughtful and considerate attention. Damage to European life uLet me first remind you, however, that tlie European countries in the Marshall Plan comprise a highly indust.rialized area of 270,000,000 peeple, with a high pre-war standard of living. Before World War II, these countries operated about 2/3 of the ocean shipping of the world and di<! about 1/4 of the international trade of the world. 'fhey had income. from foreign investments and services sufficient to pay for about 1/4 of their imports from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, these investments quickly disappeared in the last war. "Most of this territory in Western Europe was devastated ·in the war. You * 257' know about that, of course, because many of you have seen it, and all of you have read about it. But this obvious damage to European economic life was exceeded by an even greater hidden damage - invisible things - broken Jinks between farmer and city worker, lletween port and inland markets, between nation and nation; and, perhaps more serious than all, loss of faith in many countries in the integrity and stability of tlt~ir money. 0 My observation during five months in Europe this year convinced me that the people there are still just as hardWorking and serious as we are here in the United States. They will always have something to work with, and if they can get paid for their work. Difliculties of present Europe uu you were a farmer or a factory worker in Europe, you would probably hesitate to exchange your labor for paper money which· wouldn't buy the things you needed because of shortsges. You would wonder what the buying power of the paper money might be a year or two hence and would probably end up by not working quite so hard or by diverting your labor to something you could conSb.me yourself. "For greater food production, the Eui'opean farmer needs fertilizers and agricultural implements. But for Jack of food, the coal miner can't get out the necessary coal for the production of fertilizers and steel. Thus the shortage of agricultural implements is partly 1lue to Jack of steel which goes back to coal and back of that to food again. Coal is the worst of the yisible bottlenecks. In recant weeks, there has been a great increase in coal output both in England and the Ruhr, which proves that it oan be done. The greatest invisible bottlenecks is ttn'.Stable money. Europe can remove these bottlenecks only with our help. 258 * "Europe's main problem is one of production. Increased production can break those vicious circles. and force the links enabling Europeans to pull together. As you know,' Western Europe is highly industrialized. Great quantities of food and raw materials must be imported principally from western hemi· sphere to feed the human beings •and, the machines in the cities. M&nufactured goods are then exported to pay for these imports. But because of the dislocations of war, it has so far been impossible to get this va1t complicated economic machine going again at anything like normal speed. Some day this will be done, and tl!en Europe can stand on her owii feet again without special outside assistance. Upon what does the future of Europe depend? "Meantime, horY'iever, Europe must continue to eat" and work, if ecoriomic chaos is to be avoided. To do this, she must import food and raw materials. in quantities far in excess of her ability to pay. "It is the purpose of the Marshall Plan to supply the 16 countries and Western Ger;rnany with such essential imports until\ these countries can get back into production and until they can reconstruct and develop their shattered economies with the aid of credits from the International Bank and ~ther sources. "The future of Europe will then largely depend upon the efforts of the European peoples themselves and upon the success of efforts to expand ·.vorld trade by lowering the barriers and •liminating the discriminations in such trade. The job of economic recovery "To supply Europe with food and coal only would be wholly inadequate. This is not a relief job. It· is a job of economic recovery. There will be no reCurrent Events Review-March, 1948 covery in Europe if there are no raw materials for the factories, even though the people do not starve or freeze. People out of work, walking the streets, with factories closed, cannot reconstruct their shattered economies. To do half a job here would only mean that we would lose what we put into it and wlien the money's all spent, we would find Europe worse off than when we started. Why is America concerned in Europe? ,.Some people seriously question our responsibility and interest .in this matter; they argue that Europe's difficulties are not our making and that we should let Europe work out her troubles as best she can. This view fails to take into account the vast change which has come over our world in the last few years. Many of us can remember \Vhen there were no airplanes or ~adios, or even automobiles. In less than 60 years, the world has been transformed into one great big neighborhood. "Not for long can we have a happy and prosperous America if other large and important sections of the world lie prostrate, cold, and hungry, as a result of the war. There are probably few people left who still imagine that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can protect us from all enemies. But there are more who believe that we can build an ~co· nomic wall around ..lmerica and enjoy a high standard of living here, while a good part of the outside world remains in ruins, with its people half starved and in tatters. 14 1 sometimes wonder if we Americans realize that 'inost of these countries in Western Europe are today struggling desperately to maintain their independence and integrity, and what that means to us? If an enemy army were pounding at their gates, we would understand perfectly well what was going on. But World Problem1 that is the old-fas!iioned way. The .,.,w technique is to bore from within, in the hope that this will not particularly disturb the rest of the world and will not bring in powerful allies to help. 11Western Europe is made up of our kind of people. Many of ou,r forefathers came from there. Those people hate Communism, but if they must resist it under conditions of economic frustrations, cold and hungry, they will lose .the fight. Let there be no mistake about it. If we should say that we will not supply the necessary help without which there can be no European recovery "lithin the foreseeable future, it is almost certain that every country in continental Europe would lose the battle to maintain its integrity and independence." Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why is there a need for the European Economic Recovery Program ? 2. What is the role of mon~y in the stabilizing of the conditions of a country! 3. Vi'iiy is production a great problem in the economic recovery of Europe! 4. Why does the future depend on the mutual efforts of all European countries? 6. Why does the ERP call for recovery and not ·merely for relief? 6. Why should the United States be interested ·in the ERP? 7. Do you agree wii!i the Americans in their view that the Malshall Plan ill an inve1tment in peace? Why? 8. The Washington Post wrote: ''The Marshan Plan may be regarded as an operation of survival for our free"World.JJ Do you agree with the Washington Post in this statement?- Why? * 259 Is the European Re<overy Program a Sound Investment? (This section is intended to provide materials for class discussion of the opinionE= of contemporary writers on current international events. It is hoped that the instructor make it a point to teach the Students how to evaluate these opinions. 1'he opinions in this .section are not necessarily those of the Current Events Review.) Background of the news On June 5, 1947, Secretary of State George C. Marshall delivered a speech at Harvard presenting a suggestion that European countries prepare a self-help plan for the economic recovery of Europe. On June 17-18, 1947, British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin &Jld French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault met in Paris to 111¥ the groundwork for the discussion of the suggeition of Marshall. The Russian Foreign Minister Viacheslav F. Molotov was invited to attend the conference. The three leaders met in Paris. They failed to reach agreement on how the plan would be worked out. The refusal of Molotov to accept the Marshall Plan brought about the division of the world into two rival blocs. Bevin and Bidault continued their discussion of the Marshall Plan. Fourteen European countries joined, England and France in the discussion of the plan. Nine nations of Eastern Europe rejected the invitation issued by the British and French leaders. The 16 countries of Western Europe met in Paris and prepared a recovery aid prog:ram. This program was presented to the United States. After the State Depamnent had studied the European Recovery Program (ERP), the 260 • President of the United States presented it to the United States Congress for consideration. As congressional heal'ings are being conducted on the ERP, most newspapers and radio commentators have expressed their opinions. Top government officials have been called to testify. What are the opinions of the press and the officials ? Shall we accept the Police States? In his Congressional testimony, Secretary of State George C. Marshali said that to bring about durable peace in Europe, the world should help restore the vitality of Western Europe, and the foundation for this vitality is economic recovery. 11Thia: program calls for free cooperation among nations mutually respecting one another's sincerity of purpose in a common endeavor--a coc;pera-tion which we hope will long outlive the period of American assistance. . . . To be quite clear, this unprecedented endeavor of the new world to help the old world is neither new nor easy. It is a caj.cu· lated risk. But there can be no doubts as to the alternatives. The way of life that we have !mown is literally in the balance. Our country is now faced with a momentous decision. If we decide that the United States is unable or wiwilling effectively to assist the ~con- struction of Western Europe, we must accept the consequences Or its collapse into a dictatorship of police states." Must Europe .be abandoned to revolution? A program of economic recovery is essential to keep a nation at peace. "We Current Event• Review-March, 1948 have the choice, wrote the New York Tim.es, "of investing adequate funds in a promising effort to help Western Europe get on its feet, or abandon Europe to revolution and to Russia", which would demand even greater expenditures to arm the United States for self-defense in a hofl.tile world." From what should the nations of Europe be saved? There is real danger that precious time might be lost in the debate over the ERP. There is the necessity for speed. The meat of the measure is vital to save Europe's independent nations from disintegration and collapse of a kind that would "(1) force them under the dominance of Soviet Russia; (2) bring western civilization to its knees througtiout the entire continent; (3) make Asia the next easy prey to the Kremlim's police-state totalitarianism; and (4) wholly apart from hitting us hard in the economic sense, leave ·us alone and friendless in an ideologfoally hostile world that our land would have to become an armed camp governed by regulations and controls doing viole'!ce to all our cherished liberties and traditions." Which is more costly? The figures needed for the ERP arc large. The estimate of $6.8 billion for the jirst year of the program is not an "asking figure" according to Marshall. uThe Secretary of State," commented the Christian Science Monitor, "did not pretend that the ERP would be fun. He bluntly said that it meant sacrifices. He did not guarantee that it would succeed. He simply said it was a calculated risk. But he left no doubt of his conviction that the alternstive-letting Europe drift into chaos and Communism-would be more costly and perilou.s." World Problems Must the U.S. get ready for World War Ill? The safety of the American people i• at stake. The decision lies in the U.S. Congress. "Secretary Marshall," wrote the Washington Daily News, usaid our national way of life was in the balance -that the alternative is to get ready for World War III. This is strong talk. But it is from a man in a position to know the facts, a man not given to exaggeration, who is above political partisanship..... We agree with the Secretary - 'either undertake to meet the requirements of the problems or don't undertake it at all.' The longer we wait the more wiH it cost!' Is the ERP an insurance again.st war? The ERP does not seek to forge an iron ring around any nation, said U.S. Defense Secretary James V. Forrestal. "The cost of the program for the reconstruction of Europe will be high. It would be idle to say that it will not mean .sacrifice, self-denial and hard work for all of us, but it is a sound investment in the attainment of world peace. It contributes to insurance against war, and combined with the maintenance of a substantial military power at home, will be far less expensive than standing isolated and alone in an unfriendly world." Subscribe to ATING WIKA a monthly magazine in the /I.' ational Language for grade-school children. . (Approved by the Government for general 1'eading for both public and private elementary schools.) One year ............ W .60 One semester . . . . . . . 4.00 533 P. Paterno, Quiall~· Manila • 261 HOlll u world trade connected with peace? Why is the Geneva Trade Pact Significant? Specific objectives: 1. To know the reason why the Geneva Conference on world trade was called 2. To get acquainted with the work of the Geneva Conference 3. To understand the accomplishments of the Geneva Conference 4. · To appreciate the · ~ignificance of the Geneva Conference On October 30, 1947, an international conference was held at Geneva, Switzerland, by representatives of 23 nations to discuss the problems of world t~ade and to prepare a plan for the organization of an International Trade Organization. Why was the parl~y on world trade held? What was the nature of the work of the Geneva parley? What were its important accomplishments? Origin o/ the Geneva Conference The Geneva Conference on world trade had an interesting beginning. On August 14, 1941, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill issued the famous "Atlantic Charter." One of the eight points of the charter is the promise to give all nations equal privileges in world trade and free access to the raw materials of the world. This provision became the basis of subsequent conferences on finding ways and means Gf reducing trade warfare. On May 15, 1943, the members of the United Nations met at Hot Springs, Virginia, to discuss ways of freeing humanity from want. The delegates agreed that it would be possible to have "freedom 262 * from want" in the postwar world. From Julj' 1 to July 22, 1944, representatives of the United N ationa held a conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, which is now known as the Bretton Woods Monetary Conference.' The delegates agreed to establish an international monetary fund to stabilize World currencies. In December, 1945, the United Statel and Britain took the initiative in proposing an international conference on trade and employment. The two countries believe that the time is ripe .for promoting world peace through the reduction of the factors that bring about economic warfare. The United States issued an invitation to several nations urging them to enter into negotiations for the reduction of barriers to world trade. In ·Febru,ary, 1946, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations decided to establish a Preparatory Committee for the main purpose of preparing tlje agenda for consideration of a world conference on trade and employment under the auspices of the United Nations. Calling o/ the Geneva Con/!Jrence The leaders of the various nations interested in the promotion of world peace in the light of the study of the economic phases of international life prepared the agenda on world traoe confe.,,nce. The Preparatory Committee held ib first session in London from October 15 to November 20, 1946. A committee was appointed to prepare the draft of the problems in world trade for discussion. Current Events Review-March, 1948 This committee met in New York from January. 20 to February 25, 1947. The committee accomplished much. It succeeded in outlining the main topics for discussion, and decided to hold another session in Geneva. Work of the Geneva Conference The Geneva Conference ~et from April 20, 1947, to October 30, 1947. The conference· was attended by 23 countries, AuJtralia, Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Ceylon, Chile, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, India, Lebanon, Luxembou.rg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Southern Africa, United Kingdom and dependencies, and the United States. The conference met for 203 days. During this period more than 1,000 meetings were held. The various representatives discussed the various ways of reducing barriers to trade. They studied ways to free world trade from the shackles of tariff. What is world trade? The meaning of world trade becomes readily apparent when one realizes that no nation today could live alone. No nation today can produce all the goods it needs. It must buy some goods it needs from other countries which have an oversupply of them. And countries must sell some of their products to buy what they need from other countries. The Philippines, for instance, must sell its copra, abaca, and. tobacco to the United States in order to buy -the goods she needs,. such as machinery and textiles. This buying and selling among nations is trade. Since various countries are involved in the activity of exchanging products,· we call such an activity world trade. At first glance it would appear that world. trade is a simple thing, for it is a simple fact that every .:ountry wants to trade with other countries. It must sell to other countries its products so as to World Affairs be able to buy the products it needs. Actually, however, this practice became highly competitive. Each nation naturally wanted to outcompete the others. The result was economic warfare. Nations established rules to protect their infant industries. They passed high tariffs so as to avoid competition. Because of this condition, world trade has Jagged, and the unfortunate peoples naturally could not get as much as they want. The delegates of the 23 nations met to discuss the means of reducing tariff barriers and to prepare the draft for the International Trade Organization which met in Havana from November, 1947, to February, 1948. Accomplishments of the Geneva Conference The Geneva Conference preparl!d the tariff and trade agreemerits. The 23 countries which signed the 2,040-page report included most of the trading nations which share most of the 70% of the expo1t and import trade of the world. The tariff and trade agreement covers 45,000 items. Over 100 eeparate negotiations were concluded. The tariff negotiations are multilateral. "This means that each negotiating country will be contractually entitled, in its own right and independently of the mostfavored-nation clause, to enjoy each of the concessions in the schedules of the other negotiating countries." This fact is significant becauae no country Ml expected to grant concessions to other countries without receiving in retum similar or the same concessions from those countries. Let us look at the importance of the tariff agreements. The United States, for instance, agreed to cut down the duties on many commodities. Commodity Wheat flour NtlW Old Ta.riff Ta.riff $ 1.04 (100 lbs.) $ .21 • 283 Whisky LiChina ware 2.50 (gal.) 25-30% 45% 1.50 15% 25% The United States has agreed to lower tariff on woolen, cotton yarn, leather goods, diamonds, sugar, livestock, crude ru,bber, news print, copper, brandy, walnuts and several hundred items. The Geneva trade pact, however, did not simply slash tariff. It alao approved several important principles which are intended to make the flow of trade easier and greater. The 28 nations agrel!d that all negotiators should be given equal opportunity to benefit from any tariff cuts granted by a country. This principle eliminates preferences and gives equal opportunity to all. It opens the ports of countries formerly walled by high tariff. This is e3pecially true with the countries following the British imperial-preference tariff system. Each signatory also agreed to remove as soon as it reaches normalcy other restrictions which hinder. the free flow of trade. Among such restrictions are: impo'l't quotas, ezcha.nge cont-rol, and discriminatof'Y tames. The Geneva conference also prepared the Charter of the proposed International Trade Organization (ITO) under the United Nation3. This document is now being conside,;.d by the international conference which has been going on in Havana, Cuba, since November 21, 1947. In this Charter a member nation pledges: (1) To help promote national and international action for maintaining a balanced and expanding world economy; (2) To help promote general econom· ic development, particularly in undeve· loped countries; (3) To help encourage the free flow of capital between countries for productive investment; (4) To give all countries acce3s to its markets, products, and productive facilities. whleh iare needed for their proaperity and deYelopment; ( 5) To ieduce ib tariff a and 264 •. trade barriers; (6) To abltain from restrictive practices which would disrupt ·world commerce, reduce employment, or slow down economic progress; (7) To helD solve international trade problems that work against employment, economic development, sound commercial policy, souDd business practices, and sound commodity policy, and to promote mutual understanding, consultation, and cooperation. What ia the significance o/ the Geneva Trade Parley? The Geneva Trade Parley has several significances. First, it is the most iirtportant historical conference on world trade. It is a landmark in the history of international economic relations. "Never before have so many nations," said President Trllman, "c0mbined in such a sustained effort to lower barrier to trade. Neyer before have nations agreed upon action on tariffs, and preferences, so extensive in it!!I coverage and so far-reaching in its effects." Second, the Geneva conference . shows that most countries of the world ·have confirmed the belief that an expanding multilateTal trading system is a desirable necessity. Third, it shows that, if nations work willingly to solve their common. problems, the cause of peace could be enhanced. Fourth, it shows that economic warfare and unfair competition can be eliminated through ef• fective international arrangements. The Washington StaT said that by widening the area of reciprocity the trade 11greements "represent a development pointing the way to the elimination of the kind of tariff frictions and cutthroat competition that have helped to precipitate armed conflict in the past. In that sense, certainly, the effort to build a good peace has been advanced substantially by the work done at Geneva." (Please tum to page 281) Current Events Review March, 1948 What ii the Rrusian plan for Europe? Will Russia's Plan for Europe Succeed' Specific objectives: 1. To understand Russia's plan for Europe 2. To know the significance of Russia's plan 3. To find out whether Russia's plan will succeed The most vital topic of current events is the relations between the two great powers - United S1tates and Russia. The United States and Russia face each other in almost all regions of the world. The Russian plan for Europe was first known in 1946, In 1947 Russia took concrete steps to carry. out her plan. This year, 1948, will determine whether or not the Russian plll'll will succeed. What is the Russian plan? What is its significance? Will it succeed? What is the Rrusian policy? Russia is now the greatest power in Europe. As a result of World War II, Russia has expanded tremendously. Her acquisitions include a territory of more than 260,000 square miles with a population of 23,000,000 people. She has incorporated Eastern Poland, Eastern Finland, part of East Prussia, Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, the Carpathian Ukraine, Tannu Tuva, Southern Sakhalin, the Kurile islands, and the three Baltic states - Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. A recent study made by the Legislative Reference .Service of the Library of the Congress for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee st.ates that the "Soviet people could not sl•.ep quietly and the anticipated 'witherinir away' of . the state could not take place In World Affairs Communist Russia as long as the Soviet Union was faced by countries with nonSoviet types of Society." A Soviet academician, P. F. Iudin, in a lecture said: "The state will wither away when the capitalist environment is replaced by a Socialist environment, when the dang~r of intervention and restoration of capitalism is finally overcome. • • . Coinrade Stalin has made certain that the sta~ will not wither away as long as socialism and communism are not victorious on an international scale!' The oneaning of this statement Is that Russia wants to have securit:r from "imperialistic powers," for she believes that the democratic powers are "imperialistic." She considers nations under free enterprise or capitalism dangerous to her security. The Russians hope fu4 capitalism,-& way of living in which the. individual has freedom to engage in any business,-will sooner or later crumble. They see signs of such possibility in the present economic crisis in Britain. What is the Rrusian plan for Europe? Russia's plan for Europe is to draw Eastern European nations away from the West and gear them to her own Five-Year Plan. R"8sia knows that she could not dominate the whole of Europe. She knows that England, France, and Italy can recover in due time. She also knows that the traditions of democracy in these three countries are strongly entrenched. against the inroad of Communism. If the countries of Eastern Europe are brought under her complete dominance or control, she would be •afe In Europe. Incidentally, It 11 part of • 265 Russia's plan to fill in the vacuum left by the defeat of Hitler. Immediately after the war, Russia did not lose time in consolidating her hold on the Eastern cou;ntries of Europe. The study made by the U.S. Library of Congress shows that "through a network of economic, financial and military agreement, the Soviet Government has succeeded in including neighboring states in the Soviet orbit and in synchronizing. their policies and actions with those 1 0£ Moscow. Soviet Russia is thought of by Communists as the political, military, economic and ide"logical gravi~ational center." How the Russian plan works The countries of Eastern Europe which have been brought under the "Iron Curtain" are under Russian influence. The opposition against Communism in all these countries have weakened. Powerful Communist leaders now hold key positions in the governments of these countries. These men keep the people under the grip of Communism. Through these men Russia was able to conclude trade agreements which force all countries in Eastern Europe to look toward Russia for guidance in the development of their economic life. The economy of these countries is now linked with Russia's Five-Year Plan to rebuild her economic life which was greatly destroyed during World War II. Russia hopes ihat this plan would raise the living standards of her people, and she promises the same hope to these countries. The Russian plan for Europe became concrete when Russia together with nine countries of Eastern Europe rejected the Marshall Plan for the economic recovery of Europe. Only sixteen nations of Europe agreed to receive U.S. economic aid. Is Russia's recovery faltering'? Russia ha. undertaken a vast task in the reconstruction of her own economic 266 • life. Facts gathered recently by econo· mists show that Russia's goal• based on the Five-Year Plan are far short of the expected results. Russian food production for 1947 is 21 % of prewar average. Her steel production for t947 is less than 1/ 4 of prewar production. Her oil production is meeting great difficulties. Russia needs pipe and drilling machines. The United States has stopped shipping the$e to her. Her consumer goods cannot meet the demand. She has also great housing problem. This problem drags the efficiency of Russian laborers. As a result, Russia up to now is short of textiles, shoes, and household articles. Why does the economic recovery of Russia falter? A Russian economi$t, Eugene Varga, predicted the collapse of countries under the capitalistic system. He predicted that ultimately loans would be given to Russia. He reasoned out that if the capitalistic system collapses, it would be necessacy for the capitallsts to keep their factories going, Under such condition the capitalistic countries would be forced to give loans to the Russians. What the Russians expect, however,-the collapse of the capitalistic system-has not materialized. Russia is unable to fill needs of Eastern Europe In 1946, the Russians concluded several trade agreen:ients with the countries of Eastern Europe, and in the latter part of 194 7, she revised her trade agreements with several countries. The main purpose of the revision is to carry out effectively the hegemony of the countries of Eastern Europe with her. This revision was prompted by the acceptance of the Marshall Plan by 16 European countries of We.stern Europe. Under her new trade web, Russia expects Czechoslovakia to furnish Eastern Europe with some of the industrial goods formerly supplied by Germany. Bulgaria will supply raw materials to YuCurrent Events Review-March, 1948 goslavia in return for some maebinery. Poland will suj>ply railway cars and machinery to Bulgaria. Hungary will oend some mlchinery to Yugoslavia in Rturn for raw materials. Poland· wilJ supply coal to Russia. Russia in return will supply Poland with machinery. Russia is unable to supply the needs of the countries of Eastern Europe. Russia, for instance, is buying steel :1iill products, electrical machinery, puwergenerating apparatus, oil-field and rr•ine equipment, machine-shop equipmPnt, agricultu.ral tnachinery, and vehicles from the United States. The industrial • equipments she promised to deliver to Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Romania are inadequate. What do present facts show? Present facts show that the main bulk of the trade of the countries of Eastern Europe was with the countries outfl.ide of the ulron Curtain.,, Figures for the first half of 194 7 show that Czechoslovakia, Poland, Finland, did a great bulk of their trade with the countries of Western Europe. Czechoslovakia, for instance, received only 12% of her imports from Eastern Europe and 60% from Western Europe. Her exports were 17% for Eastern E.urope and' 62% for Western Europe.· Hungary received 44 % of her imports from EaJtern Europe and gave 54~ of her exports to Western Europe. Bulgaria and Rumania are the only two cou.ntries in Eastern Europe closely tied in trade with Russia. Even these two countries, howeVer, eagerly desire the markets in Western Europe. Will Russia's plan succeed? World Report and B11Sine11 Week, two leading magazines on economic events, have recently stated that the job of Russia in trying to bring Eastern Europe's trade inside her own trade web World Affairs is a matter of simple arithmetic. "The over-an needs of Eastern Europe for heavy machinery and capital goods .are reckoned at $2,200,000,000 in 1948 and 1949. Of that amount, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary together can supply about one fourth. The remaining three-fourths must come from outside the satellite countries - either from Russia or the West.,, Study Helpe 1. Why is Russia interested in her security? 2. Why is the trade of the countries of Eastern Europe vital to Russian security? 3. Russia is trying to bring the ,•ountries of Eastern Europe under her firm control. But the facts of trade •how that she could not deliver the goods needed by these countries. Do you think the countries of Eastern Europe •ould live independently of the countries of Western Europe? Why? 4. Should we sacrifice international trade for political freedom? Why? 5. Do you think that for the economic recovery of Europe it would be better for the countries in Eastern Europe to cooperate with the Marshall Plan? Why? Reference& 1. 0 Soviet Line on 'U.S. Crisis'," Business Week 953 (December 6, 1947) pp. 26-32. 2. "Weak Spots in Russia's Trade Web." World Report, Vol. 3, No. 21 (November 18, 1947) pp. 7-9. 3. "Trends in Russian Foreign Policy," Report prepared by the Legislative Reference of the Library of Congress for the U.S. Senate Farelgn Relations Cominlttee. • 267 '8 thfl Iron Curtain juitified? What is Happening Today Inside the Iron Curtain? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the meaning of the Iron Curtain 2. To know why. the Iron Curtain was built 3. To know what is happening today inside the Iron Curtain The year 194 7 is lptly called the Year of Decision. In this year many books on Russia and many articles discussing Russian moves in various parts of the globe were ,printed. The topic that has received particular attention is: "What does Russia want?" We cannot understand the answer to this question unless we know what the Iron Curtain is. What iS the Iron Curtain? Why was it built? What is happening behind it? What is the Iron Curtain? The term Iron Curtain is an imaginary line that separates the states of Eastern Europe under Russian contrel from the rest of Europe. It was defined by former Prime Minister Churchill as a cloak that has descended from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic. The states that lie behind this Iron Curtain are Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Finland. Why was the Iron Curtain built? The Iron Curtai11 was built by Ru.ssia to assure her security from any 268 • possible attack from the outside. It is only a part of her stupendous program for international security. Harold J. Laski says that international security for Russia means ( 1) safeguards against sudden and aggressive attack, so fatal in an age of atomic warfare, (2) the conviction that it can ·count on the goodwill of neighboring otates in the event of war; ( 3) the impregnability of its frontiers against the kind of invasion Germany was able to mount in 1941 ; and ( 4) assurance that no treaty ari·angements, either in the sphere of defense or of economic life, are made against Russia by other powers. How was the Iron Curwin built? Historical events during World War II and immediately after the surrender of Gerinany show that Russia built the Iron Curtain according to plan. After dec;laring war cm Poland, Russia immediately annexed the three independent republics of the Baltic States-Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. On September 28, 1939, Ribbentrop and Molotov signed a secret treaty of amity and agreement on the border of Poland. In this treaty Polish White Russia was incorporated with the White Russian Soviet Socialjst Republic. This secret agreement between Germany and Russia was discovered by the British authorities in the captured archives of the German Foreign Office. The discovery of this treaty confirms the suspicion that the two countries cold-bloodedly partitioned Eastern Europe. Current Events Review-Mar~h, 1948 The states in Eas'te»l Europe liberated by the Russian forces in World War II were either directly or indirectly brought under the control of Russia. The Baltic State• were directly annexed. Indirect pressure was exerted on the other Russian-liberated countries of Eastern Europe through the Communist "advisers" appointed by Russia to guide non-Communist heads of government. Sometimes these "advisers" occupied key positions in the government. AS soon as the opposition parties usoftened"' the Commu.nist "advisers" took over the government. Elimination of opposition There are many significant things hap,pening today inside the Iron Curtain. One of them is the elimination of the 011position. The elimination of opposition means the elimination of those in· dividuals who fight for the principles of democracy against the ruthless practice of stamping out the rights of man. This is how Premier Ferenc Nagy, leader of the opposition in Hungary, was forced to resign when the Communists staged a coup. Immediately after Nagy's resignation, Matyas Rakosi, a Communist-trained "adviser", took over the reins of the government. Likewise, in Bulgaria the Communist "Boss", Georgi Dimitrov, suddenly 11 diseovered" a "plot" to overthrow the legitimate government. As a result, Nikola Petkov, leader of the Agrarian Party, was sentenced to death. Before he died, Petkov said, "This is nothing but a prolongation of what has already happened in Hungary." Communist-trained Josip Broz, popularly known as Marshal Tito, jailed the only real opposition leader in. Yugoslavia, the scholarly Dragolyuil Yovanovich. On October 29, 1947, the Communist-led government of Ru!Jlania under Dr. Petry Groza sentenced to life i.mprisonment Dr. Juliu Maniu, leader of the National Peasant Party, for 11high treason" (giving information World Problems to the United States); Similal'ly, King . Michael was forced to resign because he- could no longer endure the preS11ure exerted by the Commwiist-trained "ad· viser", Anna Pauker, the only woman Communist-trained leader. In Poland, too, Stanislaw Mikolajczyk, of .the Peasant Party, was forced to· leave his country. Czechoslovakia was Hcent1y brought under the Iron Curtain. Economic penetration There is growing evidence that Russia is trying to acquire complete control of the economic life of the people of Eastern Europe. William Henry Chamberlain, author of the famous book The European Cock)lit, published in 194 7, says that eeonomic exploitation goes hand in hand with political domination in the East European countries. It .takes a variety of f:orm: (1) downright looting, (2) exaction of heavy reparations, and (3) the imposition of one-sided commercial treaties. Hungary, Bulgaria, and Rumania are shouldering the burdens of heavy reparations~ Russia has forced these countries to sign commercial treaties in which Russia has acquired decided advantages in the control of river and air transportation. and of oil, timber and chemical industries. Commercial treaties signed with Poland and Yugoslavia are one-sided. In accordance with this treaty, the Russians have the preference to buy goods from these countries at a muCh lower price, even if American companies offer high prices for them. One clear objective of Russia in Rumania and Hungary is to get the largest possible amount of machinery, goods and materials ·at the fastest possible rate. "The Russians," wrote Leland Stowe in "What Iron-Whose Curtain?" 11 have drained many hundreds of millions of dollars worth of national wealth out of both Hungary and Rumania. That, in turn, has seriously weakened the economies Qf these countries." * 269 Eeonomic orientation towards Russia The countries in the Iron Curtain are being orientated towards Russia. The Maishall Plan for the economic recovery of Europe has made clear what Russia wants of the countries of Eastern Europe. Through the influence of the powerflll men of. the P()Jitburo (political information bureau of Russia) all the countries of Eastern Europe have been coerced to reject the Marshall Plan. One fact, however, stands clear: the countries of Eastern Europe have much more to gain from the Marshall Plan than· from the Russian Plan. Recorqs of trade befofe World War JI show that these countries enjoyed a high degree of prosperity on account of their trade with the countries of Western Europe. Russia succeeded in implementing the Molotov Plan. Jn accordance with the plan, the East European countries signed treaties among themselves and with Russia, the provisions of which make these countries look towards Russia. The question is: Can Russia sup,ply the needs of Eastern Europe? The answer is of course in the negative. Sovietization oj Eastern Europe Another significant thing happening inside the Iron Curtain is the Sovietization of the countries included in the curtain. Russia believe3 that her security lies in the establishment of friendly neighboring states on her borders. And friendship to Russia means not merely political friendship but also cultural, social, and educational kinship with her neighbors. Russia knows that if she wants a permanent domination of Eastern Europe, she must do something to change the philosophy of the various peoples living behind the Iron Curtain. Ruuia's job of Sovietization is not difficult because there is real lack of 270 • strong individuality among the peoples of Eastern EurOJ)e. Russia, however, has to fight three factors to carry out her program on Sovietization. She has to fight the Church, the Jibetal-minded middle class, and the opposition party. The presence of the middle-class does not offer serious obstacle. The Church and the opposition party are the ones that really offer serious obstacle. The . Church has its uncompromising stand against Communism. The opposition, although weakened, continues to fight for its right. Russia must reckon that her grip on some countries of Eastern Europe is not permanent. Because of the presence of Red troops in the occupied zones, it is difficult to tell the exact hold of Russia on the occupied zones. Most competent authors of Europe believe that an upheaval might arise in some countries of Eastern Europe, the moment Russia loosens her control of some zones wi1111 the removal of the Red occupation forces. .,Should the Soviet Union," wrote William Henry Chamberlain, .,suffer a severe foreign reverse or undergo a serious internal crisis, there Is plenty of conibu.stible material in its vassal litatea which could burst out in local flare-up• or even in a general conflagration." Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. ls the building of the Iron Curtain justified? Why ? 2. Sumner Welles in his recent book: Where Are We Heading? said, "Had the peace settlements throughout Europe been agreed before the end of the war, the incentive for Soviet expansion would have been far less." Is this statement true? 3. Why was the employment of Communist "advisers" felt necessary by Moscow? 4. Why was the elimination of the· (Please turn to page 272) Current Events Review-March, 1948 Atomic Commission Outlines Science Problem Achievements of the Commiasion A broad program for the use of atomo ic energy in science and medicine, as developed during the past year, was outlined by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commisaion in its third semi-annual report to Congress. The report made special mention of the inauguration of a $90,000,000 project for new research facilities, which would work in cooperation with 200 organizations. • The report surveyed the first year of activities of the Commission since the transfer of the atomic energy program from military to civilian management. The commission is composed of David E. Lilienthal, chairman, Robert Bacher, Summer Pike, Lewis Strauss, and William Wp.ymack, members. The achievements of the commission during the first year include the setting up of a medical board of review and an advisory committee for biology and medicine, the bringing about of the maximum development and distribution in the United States and abroad of isotopes for medical and biological investigations, and for cancer research, and the carrying out of a scholarship program for the study of the application of atomic energy in medical and biological fields. Atomic energy and defense The commission pointed out that the paramount objective of 11assuring the common defense and secu.rity,'.' as . defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, requires a major program of development to be conducted in the Los Alamos scientific laboratory, where the atomic weapons plants are at present Foreign Affairs concentrated. The report said that during the year, an overall plan for the improvement of weapon components, development of new designs, and stabilization of production operations had been completed. The report also recalled plans, announced by President Truman last September, to share radioisotopes for research with other nations; and it revealed that at the end of 1947, shipments were made to users in Argentina, Australia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. "To date, as a result of requests received," the report continued, 11the commission has approved future distribution to Belgium, Canada, Cuba, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Sweden and the Union of South Africa." President Truman, in making the annou.ncement last September 8, to the fourth cancer research congress meeting in St. Louis, termed the decision of the Atomic Energy Commission to share the isotopes "an important forward ste11 toward grea,ter international cooperation in the field of medical and biological research." · Production of fiasionable materials The report said that the production of fissionable materials was maintainejl throughout the year and a general program for the expansion of capacity to produce them was started along four main lines: the development of new sourees of raw materials, the improvement of processes of the reduction of ores, the renovation and expansion of facilities for the production of fission* 271 able materials, and the development of the nuclear reactor for the more efft· cient utilization of available fissionable materials. Aida to science On the aid given by ·the commission to science, the report said: "The continued production of radioisotopes at the Clinton National laboratory made possible a nationwide program of tracer research in medicine, agricultu.re, biology, metallurgy and in· dustrial processing. The commission does not report on work done by the many· agencies using this important research tool. . "These agencies are required to publish the results of this work and some of the moat significant advances in hu· man welfare may result from the work done in nearly 200 public and private institutions which last year received over 1,800 shipments of radioisotopes. "The commission established a division of biology and medicine to direct ·work done in commission facilities in this field and to effect proper coordination with the work of other agencies. By year~s end, the division had completed an industrial hygiene survey and laid plans for still further improvement in health protective department. "It had developed a program for the training of scientists and technicians in medical, biological and health physical fields, arranged for the operaj;ion of two medical and biological training' eenters, and completed plans for the commission's support of cancer research." (Special Release of the USIS) Study Helps 1. What is the value of the report,? l!. Why is the distribution of radioisotopes important? 272 .. Inside the Iron Curtain ••• (Continued from page. 270) opposition considered an important part of the Russian plan to build the Iron Curtain? 5. What is the main purpose of Russia's plan of economic penetration in Eastern Europe? Is it connected with her program of reconstruction? 6. Can you explain the relation between economic exploitation and political domination? 7. What is meant by orientation to· wards Russia T & What is the purpose behind the Sovietization of Eastern Europe T 9. Is there any }:iape for Eastern Eu· rope to live a . normal political life in which the people could choose the form of government under which they like to live? Why? References 1. Welles, Sumner. -Where Are We Heading? New York's Harper & Brothers, 1947, pp. 114-181. ' 2. Chamberlain, William Henry •. - The European Cockpit, New York: The Macmillan Co., 1947, pp. 199-224. 3. Laski, Harold. - "Why Does Russia Act That Way?" The Nation, Vol. 164, No. 9 (March 1, 1947) pp. 239-242. 4. Matthews, Herbert L. - "What Russia Really Wants," Colller's Vol. 116, No. 21 (November 24, 1945) pp. 20-21. 5. Bess, Demaree. - "Look 'What (Please turn to page 276) 3. What is the relation of defense to atomic energy? 4. How does the Commission aid science? 5. Can you think of other possible fields of work in which the Commission may be of help? Current Events Review-March, 1948 WUl peace ever come? Why is th•e No Peace in the Two lndias Today? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the present problems that the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan have to solve 2. To know the causes of the present strife between the two dominions 3. To appreciate the significance of the present troubles in India One is forced to ask: Why is there no complete peace in India today now that it is free? Why is there civil strife between the two Dominions today? What are the causes of this civil strife? Why is the solution of this strife important to the world? Creation of an independenl India Augu,st 15, 194 7, is a very important date in the history of the world. On this day Britain ushered the birth of two nations in the world. On this day Britain ended her 200-year rule of India. This day is India's day .of destiny. On this day the star-shaped India divided itself into two independent states-the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The Dominion of India includes the ptovinces of Assam, Bihar, United Provinces, Orfssa, Central Provinces, Madras, Bombay, the newly created provinces of West Bengal, East l'unjab, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the princely states which have joined the dominion. The Dominion Of India has a total population of 298,900,< 000 people: Hindu-,_257,000,000; Moslems-88,000,000,000; Sikhs-8,900,000. The Dominion of India is under the leadership of Pandit J awaharlal Nehru. World Affairs The present capital is New Delhi. The official flag has three horizontal stripes -saffron, white and green, with dark blue wheel on the middle stripe. The wheel represents the wheel of Asoka, or the Golden Age of Hindu India. The Dominion of Pakistan includes the former provinces of Sind, British Baluchfatan, Northwest Frontier. Province, West· Punjab, East Bengal, the Sylhet District of Asam and the princely states which may wish to join the dominion. The Dominion of.Pakistan has a total population of 70,600,000 people: Moslems-50,000,000; Hindus-19,000,000; Sikhs-1,600,000. The Dominion of Pakistan is under the leadership of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Its present capital is· Karachi. The official flag of Pakistan is composed of two green and white vertical bars, with a white star and a white crescent superimposed on the green bar. What are the economic resource.s of each Dominion? The economic resou,rces of each Dominion may be seen from the following figures: DOMINION OF INDIA Size. Popu,lation ... Rice •.• · . · Wheat . . . . Sugar . Cotton . Jute •. Tea •. Cotton mills Jute mills ..... 1,20(),000 sq. mi. 298,900,000 17,229,000 acres 4,200 acres 2,631 acres 13, 770 acres 984 acres 641 acres 880 108 * 273 Sugar mills ..••. Iron and Steel works Paper mills •••• Glassworks • • • . Railroad mileage • • Highway mileage •• 166 18 18 77 26,970 "6,606 DOMINION OF PAKISTAN Size Population • Rice .. Wheat ..• Sugar ••• Cotton .•.• Jute ••.•. Tea •••• Cotton mills . Jute mill• •• Sugar mills • Iron and Steel works Paper mills ••• Glassworks ••• Railroad mileage • Highway mileage 300,000 sq. Jlli. 70,600,000 6,376,000 acres 2,785 acres 617 acres 1,680 acres 1,404 acres 97 acres 9 0 10 0 0 2. 16,642 49,863 The above figures show that the Dominion of Pakistan is chiefly an agricultural region. She has plenty of staple food which the Dominion of India needs, and she produ,ces practically all the jute, which is a cash crop. But the Dominion of Pakistan has no jute mill. The Dominion of India, on the other hand, is mainly an industrial country. She bu all the industrial advantages and the natural resources necessary for production. She must, however, import the food she needs. What are the present problenui of the two Dominions? There are several problems which the two governments must settle. First, India's assets must be equitably divided. Second, the two governments must decide whether each will have its own customs system. Third, both governments must decide whether they would keep the present communication system between them or adopt a new one.. Fourth, they 274 * should decide whether each should have its own currency. Fifth, both governments must find a workable solution whereby each country· shares the bene· fits enjoyed by the other. This is sp&cially true with regard to the economic resources of both coflntries. Sixth, they must settle their boundaries. The British Independence Act for India provides that the · boundaries between the two countries must be decided by a commission. The princely states, however, may. join either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. Recently, the powerful princely states of Hyderabad and Travancore decided to join· Hindu India. The decision of Hyderabad and Travancore have greatly influenced other princely states. There are about 600 princely states in India. Roots of communal disturbances The Hindus' way of life is different from that of the Moslems. The Hindus. constitute the largest religious group. It is estimated that there are about 255 million Hindus. The Hindu,s believe in many gods. They refuse to kill animals or eat m~at. They are divided into castes, which do not intermix. Each caste has its own practices and taboos. The Moslems are the next largest reJigious group. There are about 92 million Moslems. They believe in one god, Allah. They eat most kinds of meat, except pork. These difference• are the main cause of the division of India into two. The Hindus could not accept nor toll!rate the practices and taboos of the Moslems, and vice versa. Because of these differences they distrust each other. Often, these differences cause communal disturbances. "The Hindus," wrote Robert. Aura Smith, "have not forgotten that they were several times overrun by Moslem invaders and that they were for..,d, over a long period, to act as the hew~rs Current Events Review-March, 1948 of wood and the drawers of water for th• conquerors. Conversely, the Mosl•m• remember that there was a time "hen they governed India and when the Hindus were subservient." Civil strife continues to endanger peace Civil strife continues J>etween the two Dominions, with no possible immediate solution. It is significant to note. that even before the grant of independence on August 15, 1947, the casu,alties resulting from the Hindu-Moslem riots were great. Former Prime Minister Churchill in 1946 said that the total number of Indians killed in these riots exceeded the number of Indians killed during the entire British occupation of India for 200 years. The communal strife between Moslems and Hindus has caused the death of about 200,000 to 300,000 Indians. The strife in India haS several causes. First, there is the political conflict over certain princely states. One of these princely states, Punjab, has become the scene of ubutchery, massacre, looting, burning of villages, and flight of refugees." This is so, because Punjab divides Wesiern Pakistan from the Dominion of India. There are 57 per cent Moslems in Punjab. The Dominion of Pakistan wants to get Punjab because it is a rich food · producing region, but the one million and a half Siks and Hindus in Punjab would like to join India. Although the Hindus constitute only 30 per cent of the population, they dominate the industry, commerce, and business of Punjab. The Hindus fear that if Pakistan gets the Punjab area, discriminatory legislations might be passed to oust them from the province. The rioting in Pu,njab brought about the death of many inno.eent men, women, and children. It was maas slaughter. The news of exagagerated killing on both sides has inflamed both the Hindus Foreign Affairs and Moslems. Thousands of refugees fled in disorder and confusion. Second, it is difficult for a princely state to join either side because of the make-up of the population. A prince, the N aw ab Saheb of J unagadh in W eatern India, for example, who rules a state populated by a majority of Hindus ia a Moslem. Naturally, the prince decided to join Pakistan. But a subject of N awab Saheb applied for admission to India. Troubles arose. More than 60,000 Hindus fled to India. Third, each dominion exerts pressure to make the princely states join its iiov. ernmeitt, and as a result both dominions often come into conflict. A good example of this conflict is the conflict over Kashmir, the second largest princely state. Kashmir was invaded by tribesmen from the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan. The invasion was met by the troops of the Hindu maharajah. Later, India sent troops to restore order. Sir Hari Singh, 11he maharajah, wants Kashmir to join India. But the majority of the people are Moslems who fear their Hindu maharajah. Unless the status of Kashmir is settled by plebiscite, Kashmir will continue to endanger peace in India. Fourth, the minority groups in either dominion are continually persecuted, and naturally they become apprehensive of their status. The Hindu minorities "in Pakistan, for example, believe that they ·could not find peace under a Moslem ruler. The same attitude is held by the Moslem minorities under a Hindu ruler. This fear of persecution has cau,sed collosal migration unparalleled in modern history. In less than four months since August 15, 1947, more than .8,000,0011 refugees have crossed the PakiatanIndia frontiers. India needs peace The civil strife in· both Pakistan and India must be solved in the interest of * 275 both dominions. When independence was granted on August 15, 1947, the question paramount among leaders was: Would the Moslems and Hindus work together? This question was not answered and could . not be answered at the time of the ceremonies marking the end of British rule. Today, the question still remains unanswered. The present eivil strife endangers the peace in India. The leaders of both dominions must strive hard to so1ve these p1"0blems if they want to make their newly acquired independence a success. They must show that independence is a uniting force in the history of nations. Gandhi's recent Hfast unto death" appeal forcibly had brought once more the In-. dian leaders together to work out a solution to their common problems. But Gandhi was recently assassinated. The new responsibilities of independent India now rest heavily on the shoulders of its leadera and on more than 400,000,000 people. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why did Gandhi oppose the division of India into two nations! 2. Is the division of India into two nations wise? Why? 3. What are the causes of the civil strife in India? Are . they unavoidable? 4. Can you show how the two dominions might cooperate with each other? 5. A commentator once said: "Eco~ nomic living will make both leaders of PakiatMI and India work together." Do you agree with the commentator? Why? 6. Is it possible for the Moslems and Hindus to live side by side? Why? 7. Do you favor the mass exchange of population between Hindus and Moslems? Do you think the exchange is practical considering the fact that there are 20,000,000 Hindus in Pakistan and 80,000,000 Molftems in Hindustan? 8. Robert Aura Smith, author of one 276 * ln•ide the Iron Curtain •.. (Continued from page 272) Russia's Doing Now,,. The Saturday Eveniag Post, Vol. 219, No. 7 (Aug11st 17, 1946) pp. 11; 92-98. 6. Bess, Dem&ree. - "Our Agents Behind the Iron Curtain," The Saturday Evening Post, Vol. 219, No. 8 (.A.1gust 24, 1946) pp. 18-20; 117-118. 7. Gen-asi, Frank. - "What's Russia Up To!" Collier's Vol. 117, No. 25 (.June 22, 1946). pp. 12-14; 52-54. 8. Hauser, Ernest 0. - uThe True Meaning of the Iron . Curtain." The Saturday Evening Post, Vol. 219, No. 50 (June 14, 1947) pp. 28; 155-158. 9. Stowe, Leland. - "What Iron - Whose Curtain?" Liberty, Vol. 24, No. 9 (April 12, 1947) pp. 15-17; 80-82. interesting book on modem India, believes that the Moslem-Hindu conflict may be solved only "in the slow growth of the right11, privileges and obligations of the individual." Is the statement true? Why? References 1. Smith, Robert Aura, "Why India Fights India." Tho SatuTday E'Voning Post, Vol. 220, No. 28 (September 6, 1947) .pp. 24-25; 149-165. . 2. McGinty, Alice B. "India: House Divided," Curront History, Vol. 13, No. 75 (November, 1947) pp. 288-291. 8. "India Reaches Its Day of Destiny," News Review, Vol. 24, No. 7 (August 14, 1947) pp. 12-16. 4. Roth, Andrew. "On the SikhMoslem ·Frontier." Tho Nation, Vol. 165, No. 12 (September 20, 1947) pp. 280-283. 5. Trumbull, Robert. "Bands Orga· nize Massacres in India," The New YoTk Times, September 14, 1947, p. E5. Current Events Revtew-Mareh, 1948 Significant World News Roundup MALAYA Advances towards freedom Another Asiatic country has advanced toward the goal of freedom. The British· government has reestablished self-government for the Malay States. On January 21, 1948, Britain and the rulers of the Malay states signed agreements establishing the Federation of Malaya. The Federation was formally set up on February 1, 1948. Under the terms of agreement, ·Britain gives up focal jurisdiction, but retains, however, the control of the foreign affairs and defense of the Malay States. Wllat is the significance of the news? The step taken by Britain enhances the progress of the Malays towards ultimate independence. "In taking the step," wrote the New York Times, "we believe history will record that Britain has gained more than she had lost, as she did in freeing India and Burma." It is obvioue that Britain does not plan to give immediate independence to the people of the M•lay states. One reason for this is that the various rulers of the Malay states must first reconcile their individual and political ambition with the common goal of independence. They must first attack their internal problems and prove that they are ready for ultimate independence. PACIFIC ISLANDS What is the U.S. responsibility? The United States has recently made definite her policies toward the trust territory of the Pacific Islands. The International News following resJJonsibilities voluntarily taken by the United States have been made public by Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, U.S. chief of naval operations: (1) the early establishment of self-governing communities; (2) the institution and maintenance of an adequate pro-gram for public health and sanitation; ( 3) the establishment of a general system of elementary education adapted to local environments and designed to assist in the early achievement of the objectives enumerated herein and in the facilitation of vocational and higher education, including training on the professional levels; ( 4) the protection of the local inhabitants against the loss of their lands and resoureee and the institution of a sound program of economic development of trade, industry and agriculture along lines which will ensu.re that the profits and benefita thereof accnie to the inhabitants and which will assist in achieving the highest possible level of economic independence; and ( 5) the physical restoration of damaged property and facilities. What is the significance of the news? The objectives enumerated by Admiral Denfeld are in consonance with the objectives of the Trusteeship CClllnCil of the United Nations. These objectives are very significant because they give hope to people who, in the past, would have been left to the mercy of governing nations. The United Nations specifically states that the progressive development of all trust territories should be a main goal of nations assigned to administer trust territories. • 277 UNITED STATES Truman outUnes international ·expenditures President Truman ·has outlined the overseas expenditures of the United States for i948 and 1949. In his message to Congress, President Truman estimated that U.S. expenditures abroad would be $5. 5 billion for the present fiscal year, 1948, and $7 billion for the next year. The largest international expenditures in 1949 will be u,nder the European Recovery Program (ERP). "International affairs a n d finance, amounting to $7 billion, accounts for 18 per cent of budget expenditures in 1949 aa compared with 15 per cent in 1948. The cost of the new aid program will be largely counterbalanced by completion or sharp reduction of expenditures for the British loan, UNRRA, post;. ·uNRRA relief, and certain other programs." What is the sig11ificance of the newsf The message outlining in part the overse83 expenditures of the U.S. is a proof to the world that the United States has its own stake in international affairs. It is a proof that the U.S. haa certain definite responsibilities towards world peace. "The new international program,,, according to President Truman, "is our answer to an unprecedented cl\allenge. • .. Should failure of the program resu.It in a further extension of totalitarian rule, we· would have to reexamine our security position and take whatever steps might be necessary under the circumstance. -The costs of added military strength, if Europe should succumb to totalitarian rule, would far exceed the costs of the program of economic aid now before the Congress." 278 * CHINA Is there a "Cominform" for Asia or China? Recent events in China show two- important historical facts. One is the news that Chiang Kai-shek ia purgin.g the government party, the Kuomintang, of undesirable leaders. The other is the announcement that the Chinese Communist Party is related to the Russian Communist Party. Chiang Kaishek has made the charge that the Chinese Communists are actively being aided by Moscow and are working for Soviet ends. What is the significance of the news? The annpuncement that the Nationalists will try to annihilate the Chinese Communis.ts in 1948 is a threat, and is real news. This is especially true if ·it could be accomplished. On the other hand, the anhouncement of Mao Tsetung, head af the Chinese Communist Party, that there is a purge also going on in the Chinese Communist Party ia bad news because of the determination of the Chinese Communists to continue the fight for suptemacy. The determination between two Chinese factions to fight out the fate of China is bad enough, but much worse is the announcement that a "Cominform" for Asia would be established be-. cau.se it shows that the Chinese Communfats are trying to. implement the Soviet announcement that world commu .. nism must spread. The significance of a possible "Cominform" in the Far East complicates peace in the Far East. "Qualified observers of Far Eastern aff afrs," wrote the Washington Stat", "have judged for some time past that a major Communist offensive in Eastern AJia was in the making. If this now materializes, we may expect intensified trouble, not only in China but alCurrent Events Review-March, 1948 so in Korea, countries of Southeast Atda." BIDTAIN Overseas claims? British capitalists have completed their plan to make overseas investment, particularly in Australia, popularly known in British circles as the "Land of Promise." The plan envisages the transfer of certain types of industries to Australia, Two industries that have bright prospects are the steel and coal industries. According to recent statis· tics, more than 20 British companies have now established· themselves in Australia. It has been roughly estimated that there is a need. for 28,000,000 additional workers iQ Australia. What is the aignificance of the newsf The prospects of British capital in Australia has a great significance to the British. With the loss of a great part of her colonies, Britain must have a place, like Australia, to improve her economic life which has greatly ~n weakened by war and by serioua post war problems. The British must live, and Australia is their hope, RUSSIA ls Russia getting tough? Recent events show that Russia is getting tough not only in Europe but also in Japan. In Germany, for instance, the Russian military governor for the Russian-occupied zone, Sokolsky, insisted that representatives of Br,itain; France, and the United States have no right to attend meetings whose purpose is to discuss the interests of political parties in the Russian zone. In Japan, too, the Russian representative in the Far Eastern Commission has objected to several policy rules for the administration of Japan. The Russian repl'f!" International News sentattive thinks that United States economic policies in Japan are too "soft" to be a punlehment. What is the 8ignificance of the news1 Events of the last few weeks show that the Ru1111ians are becoming more tough in their dealing with their wartime Allies. The U.S., through the American military governor, insists that she has as much right as the Ru,ssians in the administration of llerlin·. In Japan, the United States eeonomic policy makers believe that too much decentralization might finally bring the economic collapse of the new J ap8.n. The United States believe 'that the eco· nomica of decentralization is not a simple matter. Consideration must be gi:ven to the fact that if too many industries are not allowed to function, J a pan might not be able to pay for the cost of occupation. It is a fact that the American people are sharing too much of the cost of the American occupation. The American people pay for much of the imported foods vital to the existence of the Japanese themaelves. FRANCE Another Communist offensive? The Communists in Francie have launched a new offensive calculated to make trouble that would discredit the government. This timl! the offensive is to get the middle class to support the cause of the Communists. Jacques Du,. clos, one of the leading Communist leaders in France, has been trying to woo the alliance of the French middle class. The new Communist offensive became apparent in the deliberation on the economic plan presented by Rene Meyer, French Finance Minister. This plan is intended to implement the Marshall Plan. Meyer proposed a measure to fight Inflation by levying higher taxes on business and industry. Duclos ar* 279 gued that the Meyer plan would drive the small businessmen out of job. The operation of the Marshall Plan will throw the small French businessmen at the mercy of. the big businessmen who will be benefited by the Marshall Plan. Duclos pointed that the Meyer and Marshall plans ·Bl"e the death knell of small French business. What is the significance of the news? ·The new offensive is an attempt to gain additional support for the Communist party in Franee. It is important to remember that the Communist Party iB France failed in its last attempt to embarrass the French government last December with the Communist-inspired strikes. The Communist Party is determined to wreck the Marshall Plan. The recent move of Duclos clearly shows that the French Communists }\ave close alliance with Moacow. The only way to show the Frem!h people that the Marshall Plan is for peace is to make the Meyer Plan work for the good of all· French businessmen, big or small. ITALY Union of the Communists and Socialists Recent events in Italy show that the Communist Party and the Socialist Party have united. The Communists suffered a setback last December in their scheme to embarrass the government with widespread strikes: Since the defeat of their attempt last December, the Communists have been trying hard to consolidate their hold on the Italian workers. Overtures have been made to make the Socialists join the ranks of the Communists. In the recent National Congress of Italian Socialist Party, a bold decision was taken. It was decided to unite the Socialist Party with the Communist Party. ~80 * What is the signift;:ancs of the nswsr The decision is important for two reasons. First, It strengthens the voting power of both the Communists and Socialists In the Italian elections next April. Second, the strength of both the Communists and Socialists might become strong enough to embarrass the goveJ:nment of Premier Alcide de Ga&peri. The Italian national elections in April will finally decide. whether or not Italy will fall under the control of the Communist-Socialist Party. The most serious task of the present government is the solving of the threatening economic problem of the country. The possible early operation of the Marshall Plan appears the only great hope for the survival of the government of Premier Alcide de Gasperi. LATIN AMERICA Sulfrage for Colombian women? One of the countries in the world which have not yet granted the right of suffrage to women is Colombia. Lately, however, the political and social leaders have come to realize that the right of suffrage ought to be granted to the women. Dr. Mariano Odpina Perez, President of Colombia, declared that the time is now ripe for the nation to let women take an active part in the affairs of the community. He announced that a bill would be introduced to amend the conatitution so as to allow the women to vote. Economic pacts between Chile, Brazil and Argentina Economic pacts between Chile and Brazil and between Chile and Argentina have been concluded. It has been agreed by Chile and Brazil to fill the expcl,'t requirements of each with the exportable surpluses of the other. Chile Current Events Review-March. 1948 and Argentina agreed to supply each other's export needs in the production of nitrate. Door opened to immigrants by Bolivia The government of Bolivia has decided to open its doors to desirable immigrants who were victims of World War II. Present plan of the Bolivian government allows 100 European refllgees. The refugee families will first work in the projects of the Bolivian Development Corporation. After two years work, the families will be allowed to acquire land of their own on long-term installment plan. The con· tract on the perm11Dent acquisition of the land requires that each family should build a house on the land, and should get at least 6 acres and 200 fruit trees under cultivation. Educational improvement /or Quechua Indians The Peruvian government has under~ taken a new project in the education of Quechua Indians in the province of Cuzco. The Peruvian government ia working out the most effective ways of educating the Indians. The educational program includes the teaching of Spanish, health instruction, adult education, practical lessons in agriculture, anQ. home industries. The aim of the Peru,. vian government is to increase the standard of living of the Indians. Improvement o/ radio communications Venezuela has taken steps to streamline her radio commuJications. The Venesuelan government has authorized the Venezuelan Radio Aeronautics Company to centralize Its radio communications. This was done to render better service. Incidentally, Venezuela becomee the third country of the world to Intemational News Why is the Geneva •.. (Continued from page 264) Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why is there a need for world trade? 2. Why is there a need for mutual reduction of the restrictions on trade? 3. Why is there a necessity for the establishment of some code of common national practices on exports and imports1 4. What causes brought about the economic warfare in the past? 5. Why is a bilateral agreement less desirable than a multilateral trade agreement? 6. Explain in your own words each of the significances of the Geneva Par· ley. 7. What is the significance of the agreement among nations to w:ork to .. gether to bring about the free flow of trade? References 1. "The Restoration of International Trade/' International Conci'liation,. No. 434 (October, 1947) pp. 524-538. 2. "Text of Geneva Draft Charter for an International Trade Organization," lntet"national Conciliation., No. 434 (October, 1947) pp. 538-665. 3. "Majority of U. S. Newspapers See the Geneva Pacts as Aiding World· Wide Economic Recovery," Special Release No. 684 (November 6, 1947), United States Information Service. 4. Waldron, Gloria and Buchanan, Norman S.-America's Stake in. World Trade, Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 130, pp. 1-31. 5. "Importance of the Tariff Negotiations at Gerieva," United Nations: Weekly Bulletin., Vol. III, No. 12 (September 16, 1947) p. 372. centralize radio communications. The two other countries are. the United States and .Mexico. * 281 The Philippines and the World Responsibilities o/ the Filipino youth Emmet O'Neal, American :Ambassador to the Philippines in a speech described the role of the Filipino youth in the promotion of world peace. He said that he expects the Philippines to continue its influence in the solution of wurld problems. "This will happen more surely if in the youth of the Philippine Republic there is awakened a growing consciousness of their place in the world scheme. To the present youth of the world we must look for the peace of tomorrow. If young men and women come to full adulthood without a complete recognition of their individual responsibility to world peace and maintenance of government by the will of the majority, which we call democra..!y, then there is little hope for the future. "It is particularly important that the youth of the Philippines realize their responsibilities. They have a two-fold task to foster the principles of democracy in their own nation, and to maintain leadership in world affairs. To perform this task, Filipino youth must dedicate themselves to the ideals of freedom and the rights of the individual. They must learn to look beyond the smoke screens of propaganda in order to see the truth." Philippines is spot /or investment A group of tourists who visited the Philippines recently remarked that the Philippines is an ideal spot for investment. The tourists saw indu,strial possibilities in our country. One of the tourists, a banker and business magnate of Montana, promised that he would in282 * vest in the Philippines. The others declared there is less risk in investing in the Philippines than in Europe or South America. Philippines to settle indebtedness The President of the Philippines has taken steps to make full settlement of the bonded indebtedness of the Philippines to the United States. Negotiations have been concluded with the United States government on the full payment of this debt, amounting to P62,964,649. 98, not later than January 1, 1952. The President explained that the failure of the Philippines to settle the bonded indebtedness on the bonds sold in 1934 was due to the insufficiency of our national income at the time of the grant of Philippine independence on July 4, 1946. The Philippines contributes to formulation of the World Bill o/ Rights The Philippine delegation to the Geneva conference on the formulation of an international bill of human rights has done its share in the drafting of the declaration. The delegation headed by Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo submitted a number of proposals several of which have been embodied in the declaration. The proposals included are: everyone has the right to receive pay commensurate with his ability and skill; women shall work with the same advantages as men and receive pay for equal work; everyone has the right to social security; everyone has the right to education; everyone has the right to rest and leisure; everyone bas :the right to participate in the cultural life of the Current Events Review-March, 1948 community, to enjoy the arts; eveeyone has the right to share the benefits that result from scientific discoveries. The best customer of the Philippines According to official records, the best customer of the Philippines in 1947 was the SCAP's headquarters in Tokyo. During 1947 the total purchase of SCAP's headquarters amounted to P34,297,149.40. The most important articles Purchased were copra, abaca, flour; rice, and molasses. The same headquarters has expressed the intention to purchase 160,000 tons of Philippine coal payable with cement made in Japan. Philippines receives lands The Philippine government recently received from the United States government 61 parcels of agriculturai land located in the provinces of Zamboanga, Davao, Albay, and Cotabato. The total area of these parcels is 6,000,000 '.square meters. The transfer was m3.de by James Mcinnes Henderson, Pbilippine alien property administrator of the United States. Philippines foreign relations In his speech opening the present session of the Congress of the Philippines, President Manuel A. Roxas, gave the public a clear picture of our foreign relations. The text of the President's speech may be summarized as follows: 1. The Philippines now counts upon the actual or implied recognition of 50 nations. We enjoy the friendship of all these nations. 2. The Philippines has concluded treaties of amity with the United States, China, France, Italy, and Spain. The Philippines has also signed 27 uther treaties and agreements with different countries, and is at present discussing National Affairs commercial treaties with several countries. 3. The Philippines maintains friendly relations with all other countries. She is also fulfilling all her international obligations. Her prestige and credit abroad is growing every day. 4. The Philippines is now a membe1· of the Trusteeship Council, the UNESCO, the Food and Agricultural Organization, the Int~rnational Civil Aviation Organization, the Committee on Non-self-Governing Territories, the Commission on Human Rights, the Sub-commission on Freedom of Information and the Press, the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, the International Trade Organization, the Korean and Pale:1tine Commission. · 5. Baguio is gaining favor as the seat of international conferences. This is indicative of the world-wide interest in Philippine affairs and the friendliness of other nations toward our people. The Philippines follows progressive ideas January 28, 1947, will go down in the history of our country as an important historical date. On this date, President Manuel A. Roxas issued a proclamation gra.nting amnesty to all Filipino citizens accused of treason for alleged political and economic collaboration. The proclamation was issued to erase the last vestige of conflicts among our people arising from the last war and to strengthen national unity. In granting amnesty, the President would like us to feel that the Philippines is following progressive ideas. According to the President, public opinion has crystallized. Collaboration is no longer a political issue as it was in 1945. The President also said that progressive c.ountries like England, Italy, and Siam have granted amnesty to collaborators for the sake of national unity. The amnesty proclamation has been approved by both houses of the Congress of the Philippines. * 283 Special Report on the Activities of the United Nations Creation of the International Law Commiasion An International Law Commission was recently created by the United Nations. The main objective of the Commission is to redraft the new principles of international la"• which were laid down for the first time in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal. Ii should be recalled that several top German Nazis were tried for, and convicted of war crimes by the Nuremberg Tribunal. The Commission would also draw up a general classification of offenses against the peace and security of mankind. The Commission would consider various ways and means to make international law easily availaQle. To carry out this project, the Commission would consult with various international or national organizations. Study Helps 1. Why is the work of the Comm1s•ion significant? 2. Recall the principles laid down by the Nuremberg Tril!Unal. (War crimes: (a) Crime against peace, or planning, ,Preparing, initiating, and waging wars of aggression; (b) Common plan of conspiracy or the planning of general criminal war pattern; (c) war crimes or the planning and carrying out of total war, including methods and practices directly conflicting with the laws and customs of war; ( d) crime against 11.umanity or murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, and other acts committed against civilian population 284 * before and during the war on political, racial, or religious grounds.) 3. What is the importance of the incorporation of these principles in a code of international law? For better utilization of the International Court The . General Assembly has passed three resolutions intended to encourage the use of the international Court of Justice of the United Nations, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. One resolution urges that all organs and specialized agt;ncies of the United Nations make use of the opportunities offered by the International Court of Justice. The resolution is the outgrowth of the observation that in the functioning of the various organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations QUiestions involving principles of law have arisen. It is important that these principles be settled by the International Court of Justice. The second resolution authorizes the Trusteeship Council to request advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on legal questions arising from the Council's activities. The third resolution provides that states should submit their legal disputes to the International Court of Justice. Study Helps 1. Why is it important for the va1ious organs of the United Nations to seek the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice? Current Events Review-March, 1948 2. Why should the interpretation of the principles involving disputes between the organs of the United Nations be left to the International Court of Justice? Immediate support needed for ICEF The International Children's Emergency Fund, created on December 11, 1946, needs immedi~te support. It has been noted that the help given for the ICEF had been "pitifully small." Records show that so far only the following member states have made, or pledged contributions: Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. The slogan adopted for the ICEF is to Give One Day's pay for the cause of helping the children of the world. Study Helps 1. The ICEF was created to help the unfortunate children which were ·victims of World War II. In Europe alone there are 63 mil lion sick, hungry, and cold children. Why should every nation help raise the necessary funds to help these children? 2. "To Give One Day'' pay to these children is to give life to a great number of children; to gfve ourselves peace and peace of mind; to give the 11ew generation its chance to build a better world. Do you believe in this slogan? Why? .-iccomplishments of the 1947 UNESCO Conference The second international session of UNESCO was held at Mexico· City in November and December, 1947. The conference ended on December 4, 1947. It was attended by representatives of 40 state members. What were accomplished by the 1947 conference? 1. It was agreed that the 40 state members would contribute to the 1948 budget in the same way as they contri~ bute to the budget of the United Nations. 2. It was decided to hold six international study seminars. These seminars would be on teaching problems, childhood education, education through youth· serving agencies, the teaching of ideals ;,_nd functions of the United Nations and education for working librarians. 3. It was also agreed to make prepa· rations for an International Teachers Charter. The charter would embody the principles of equality of race, color, Eex. and religion. 4. It was also agreed to send educa· tional missions to member states. The main purpose of these educational mis· s.ions is conduct on·the·spot surveys of educational practices and standards, particularly relating to the improvement of teaching for mutual understanding among peoples. Study Helps 1. Do you consider an international conference on the promotion of inter· national education useful? Why? 2. The UNESCO approved a resolution providing for education on the structure, principles, and activities of the United Nations. Is this resolution laudable? Why? People asked for unification The Trusteeship Council of the Umted Nations recently received a petition from the representatives of Eweland, a community in West Africa, just above the Gulf of Guinea, Eweland is inhab· ited by about 1,000,000 people. Eweland was first partitioned at the end Of the 19th century by France, Great Britain, and Germany. The people of Ewe· land believe that the partition of their country is unjust. Their representatives who paid a call on the Tru.steeship (Please turn to page 287) --------- -··-----·-- --·------ -World AffairR • 285 Science Marches On Trivi&ion Plwtography A trivision photogra!lhy or a threedimensional photography is a recent discovery. How does this new process called "trivision," work? This process is done with a 10-inch lens and with a specially tr.eated "ordinary photographic film.'' The treatment embosses every inch of the film surface with 300 tiny "lenses." The image that the camera records is a composite of the glimpses caught by each of these lenses. Each lense has the ability "to look partly around the object." This setup accounts for the three-dimensional effect. In the same manner, the unusually wide camera lens provides a similar "wide range of viewpoint." World's Largest Calculator Harvard University has built the world's largest calculating machine. The machine covers 3,000 square feet of floor space and stands ten feet high, and is capable of turning out in a matter of minutes solutions to problems that would take years to calculate by hand. A few similar machines working around the clock for one year could solve all mathematical problems that have arisen in recorded history. The machine has 200 miles of wiring and thousands of relay switches, electrical contacts and similar equipment. To use the machine, the operator reduces the problem to a code and punches it on the tape. The tape feeds into the machine, and in a short time, depending on the complexity of the problem, answers are typed out on long sheets of paper by an automatic printer. The machine can handle numbers ranging from astronomical size to inter-atomic minuteness. According to the builder, one man will be able to 286 * solve in one second a multiplication problem running into billions. Addition of numbers into billions can be done iii less than one-fifth of a second. W indblast at Super· sonic Speed In discussing supersonic speeds, Brigadier General M. C. Grow recently predicted that it would probably be necessary to refrigerate cockpits because the he3.t generated by friction of a plane at a speed of over 750 miles an hour is more than enough to boil water. Considering the matter of escaping from a plane in case of emergency, the General stated that the maximum naked windblast that man can withstand is about 500 miles an hour, and this •peed can easily be exceeded now. Unless a whole person therefore, is encased in a capsule, airblast at supersonic speeds would burst the lungs, cut and distort the face, and possibly break the arms and the legs. Sound Beam Box Aids Blind Three City College students developed a sound beam device which enables blind persons to detect obstacles. This device will facilitate the movements of blind persons. The "sound beam box" is the result of an experiment started two years ago at the City College to determine the special abilities of the blind to orient themselves with the use of e:ound waves. The young college scientists tell us, however, that the mechanism of the device is still in the experimental state. In using this device, the blind person presses a button as he walks along and the device sends out high frequency sound beams. If his way is clea.r, no Current Events Review-March, 1948 sound is reflected; but if· the sound beam strikes an obstacle, the sound is reflected instantaneously. The reflected sound warns the blind. New Devices may Lessen Drudgery of Housekeeping New devices have been recently designed to ease the drudgery of housekeeping. These devices, although not in production at present, have been perfected and are only awaiting completion of reconve1·sion operations and receipt by the manufacturers of materials with which to make them. One of these devices is an "elevator" type kitchen cabinet which enables one to use the upper shelves as easily as the lower ones. This device eliminates the use of chairs or ladder. The cabinet is hydraulically operat'ed, the "lower coming from water in k i t ~ h e n pipes. All that the housewife has to do to bring the shelves down to arm level is to press a button. Another button sends the shelves back to their onginal position. A dish washer that does just about everything but take dishes off the table is Westinghouse Electric's contribution to the postwar kitchen. With the push of a button, the machine fills with water, washes and rinses the dishes, drains dirty water out of the machine, and then .shuts itself off. A new electric clothes drier has been perfected to ease the housewives' ehores. The drying is done by constant movement of warm air through the cabinet. The machine damp-dries the clothes in about sixty minutes and completely dries them in ninety minutes. Electronic Bursts Preserve Food A new radiation metal has been developed which preserves foods "in their fresh, raw state" in one-millionth of a second exposure to high bursts of electrons beamed from a "capacitron." ApModern Science United Nations ••. (Continued from page 285) Council petitioned the unification of the country. Study Helps 1. The representatives in their petition said that they are alarmed by the · right assumed by European powers in partitioning countries without considering the wishes of the people. Do you agree with the petitioners in their view? 2. Do· you sympathize with the petition of the people of Eweland for the unification of their country? Why? parently, such bursts purify fluid milk, steaks, eggs, and sea foods. This kind of sterilization enables one tq keep food for several days ~t room temperature or higher. New Treatment for Peptic Ulcer Found Three doctors at the Temple University school of medicine have announced a new laboratory approach to the problem of peptic ulcers an approach which may lead eventually to the orl'fective cure of this affliction. Research thus far has been confined to dogs. The treatment is primarily based on the use of a drug known as sodium dodecyl sulfate which inhibits histamine, a powerful stimulant of gastric secretion normally found in the body. Tuberculosis JI accine may Soon be Available The New York state health department has revealed that an anti-tuberculosis vaccine called BCG (bacillus-calmette-guerin) woufd soon be available for selected groups in New York •late on a voluntary basis. The vaccine is merely preventive, not a cure. The BCG vaccine is administered through the small punctures of the skin made in twenty to forty places. In one adrninis- · tration, about 98 percent usually becomes successful. * 287 Order now BABASAHING PAMPAARALAN (Unang Aklat) -P. Agullir A First Reader. in the Filipino National Language suitable for use in Grade II or III or In advanced classes in Grade I. One peso per copy MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 Reten ·533 P. Paterno Sampaloc, Manila Quiapo, Manila REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU OF POSTS MANILA SWORN STATEMENT (Required by Act No. 2680) The undersigned, Delfin R. Manlapaz, publisher of Current Events Review, published monthly in English at Manila, after having been duly swom in accordance :£a\i~~~·er:.~e~ru~hb~it:e~~ir!f1~;iA~t 8~~~2585, 0 :s 0.:::~d~d'b~C:=~!~:f:h Act No. 201: Editor-Diosdado G. Capino ........................... . 123-125 Reten, Manila Owners-Capino & Manlapaz ......................... . Publisher-D. R. Manlapaz ........................... . " Printer-National Printing Co ......................... . Office of Publication ................ , ... .' ............ .. Lepanto, Manila 123-125 Reten, Manila Bondholders, mortgagees, or other secnrity holders owning one pe!' cent or more of t.otal amount of security: None. In r'\se of publication other than daily, total number of copies printed and circu.lated of the last issue, .dated February, 1948: 1. Sent to paid subscribers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5650 2. Sent to others than paid subscribers .......... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860 Total ............................................... . 6500 (Sgd.) D. R. MANLAPAZ Publisher Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of March, 1948 at Manila Philippines, the affiiant exhibiting his Residence Certificate No. A-160306 issued at Manila on Feb. 12, 1948. {Sgd.) SIMEON S. ALVAREZ Post Office Inspect.or . .'he Publisher · l.Y:!!i !!!!!! REPUBIJC OF ~i!· PINES DEPAllTNENT O=~LS BUREAU OF c __ llAllJLA November 14, 1947 -;33 P, Paterno, I a n i la Quiapo •ear Sirs I wish to inform you that the magazine Ating Wika hu 'Jeen approved for general reading in the elementary grades of the public 11choolll. Attention ie invited to a let indorsement, herein inclosed, of the Inatitute of Natio.nal Language dated NoveJDbar 1, 1947. Var, respect1'1llly, Inol.1 As stated Dl!!Oll R EASONS why ATING WIKA should be in the hands of every Teacher and Pupil in the Elementary Grades: -l1 'or easy and permanent teaching and learning, we ha\'e provided the following: A Picture Dictionary psychologically adapted lo beginners National languag:.'! primer Special guide and methods for non-Tagalog teachers . .\bundant and self-teaching exercises and seatwoJ'k .al·tivities for the dc\"elopment of the beginner:;:;' reading ability -For phonetically correct and natural con\·ersational language, we h:in supplied the following: Simple and casy-tu-reud pot•ms, stories, and dialogue~ for oral rcadh1g exel'cise:s l'honetic symbols and suggestions for correct accentuation and intonation -l·'or spontaneous appreciation of literature, we have made a critical pre•entation of the popular Filipino A WITS - such as !bong Adarna - 1,y way of illustrations and stilnulation of the children's •imple ima1(11ative experienee:-;. Whether now 01· later, you will have to learn the national language. Send )Olll' 1mh•cription now to ATIN(; WIKA and )'OU will find it t'a•ier and more economical. ATING WIKA is best for all Filipino el1ild1·en and tht' mo•I l'l'fretive malf'l"iul fm· elt'mentary •chool tea..l1t'1'• in the- nationnl lu11,.:11agf". .... ,,,,.,.,.;,,,,;,.,, rtrl•···: One year .... One ~eme:-;fl•r Attug lltka P7.50 ~.110 Al'pron·•I for use in the- c-lc-mt'ntar)· g1·adc-s of lhe puhlie a• we-II as prh·att' school• :l:1~~ P. Paterno, Quia.po, l\lanila