Current Events Review

Media

Part of Current Events Review

Title: Current Events Review
Issue Date: Vol. IV (No. 7) January 1949
Year: 1949
Language: English
Rights
extracted text: A ncw~magazine published for high school students--devoted to the selection, organ· 1zat1on, presentation, and review of current news for lessons in current event.. (Approved for general reading by the Department of Education) / . ; (Recommended for use in all Catholic schools by the CEAP) ' (Approved for use as Reference Material by the Bureau of Private Schools) What is the Future of Indonesia? What are the Key Spotlights in e International Scenes for 9Z(J.}, What do People Think o,rW.<war II What were the lmP, ant ~to.~ishmen of the Thir es~~~'i)if the\'l~eneral Assembl . ~i>~- ef\\ ~. \. Why are U.S. Papers\ C>oncetflea r Break in tch-lndon~s1~ egotiations? Why is Selfish Nationali~ an Obstacle to World Pe~ce7 Why was the Last lection in Berlin Important? Science Marches On The Philippines and the World Why is the Trusteeship System a Revolutionary Concept'? Significant World News Roundup \'ol. IY. No. 7 January, 1949 30 centa,·o CURRENI EVENJS REVIEW A newsmagazine that completes and makes up-to-date the study of history and other social science subjects. DIOSDADO G. CAPINO Editor D. R. MANLAPAZ Publisher NICOLAS ONGKINGKO Circulation Manager ln this issue POLICARPIO G. DANGALIO DOMINGO C. SERION R esearcheTs VENANCIO NEBRIDA Circulation Representative Page What is the Future of Indonesia?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 What are the Key Spotlights in the International Scenes for 19,tQ? 198 vVhat do People Think of \Vorld War III? . . . 201 What were the lmpo.rtant Accomplishments of the Third Session of tl1P General Assembly? . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . . .. 20 I Why a~ U.S. Papers Concerned over Break in Dutch-lndon<'sian Negotiations? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20A Why is Selfish Nationalism an Obstacle lo \Vorld Peace? 212 Why was the. Last Eleclion in Berlin Important? Significant \\1 orld News Roundup .... The Philippines and the World Science Marches On ... Why is the T rusteesh.ip Syslem a Revolutionary Concept? Published monthly except Jl,tfay and June by MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 Reten, Sarnpaloc, Manila Subscription: P3.00 a year, Pl.50 a semester, 30 centavos per copy. 213. 214 217 219 221 When changing address give old as well as new address. Address all communications to the Current Events Redew. Copyright, 1949 by D. R. Manlapaz and D. G. Capino. All rights reserved. Entered as second-class mail matter January 9, 1947 at the Manila, post-office. Is the future bright for Indonesia? What is the Future of Indonesia 1 Specific objectives: 1. To understand the background of the present conflict 2. To know the provisions of the Linggadjati Agreement 3. To understand the causes of the conflict after the conclusion of the Linggadjati Agreement 4. To know the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Indonesian Question We are witnessing today the struggles of the Indonesian Republic for existence. These struggles have been going on for the last two years. What are the causes of the present conflict? What are the provisions of the Linggadjati Agreement? Why was there a final breakdown after the conclusion of the Linggadjati Agreement? What progr_ess has been made on the settlement of the Indonesian Question? Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia On August 17, 1945, four days after the capitulation of Japan, a group of Indonesian patriots headed by Dr. Achmed Soekarno and Mohammed Hatta proclaimed the Republic of Indonesia. The proclamation reads in part: "Since independence_ is the right of every nation, any fonn o~ subjugation in this world is contrary to humanity and justice, and must be abolished. The struggle for Indonesian Indepe11dence has reached a stage of glory in which the Indonesian people are led to the gateway of an independent, united, sovWorld Problem ereign, just, and prosperous Indonesian state. "With the blessings of God Almighty, and moved by the highest ideals to lead a free national life, the Indonesian people hereby declare their independence." History of the struggle for independence The proclamation was the outcome of the struggles of more than 72,000,000 people who live in an area of 753,168 square miles. The Indonesians before World War II were under the rule of the Dutch government. The colony has been called the Dutch East Indies. It consists of five large islands-Borneo, Celebes, Java, Sumatra, and the western half of New Guinea and 15 mediumsized islands and a thousands of small ones. The Dutch East Indies or Netherlands India is known in history as the "Treasure House of Asia." The archipelago is a melting pot of several races. The Malayan predominates by a large majority. There are in all sixty different languages. Fifty seven of these languages are used in schools. Ninety per cent of the people are Mohammedans; the Christians number 2,500,000. The islands are among the richest areas in the world. Before Woi"ld War II, the archipelago produced 91 % of the world's quinine, 86% of its pepper, 72% of its kapok, 37% of its rubber, 43 % of its plant oils, 33 % of its cordage fiber, 27% of its coconut oil, and 19% of its tea. • 193 For 300 years Indonesia has been a Dutch colony lrince 1595 when the islands were placed under Dutch control. The peoples of Indonesia, like peoples elsewhere in the world, have expressed during the last 30 years their desire to be free. In the 19th century, there occurred over 30 local revolts against Dutch authority. The revolutionary movement for freedom was formally organized in 1908 when the first nationalist society, Boedi Oetom.o or "Glorious EndeavQr" or "High E.ndeavor" held its first ~on gress. The society was organized by a Javanese doctor, W. S. Desada who was inspired by Princess Kartini's writings on nationalism. The Princess gave in~truction to the daughters of the native officials for the purpose of making them understand the ideals of their country. The nationalist movement grew rapidly. By 1910, there were 10,000 members enrolled in 40 branches. The second great step towards the struggle for Indonesian freedOm was taken up by the Sarikat Islam. This political society originated in central Java about 1910. The people engage(! in the native batik industry decided to present a united front against the Chinese who wer.e exploiting the people dependent on this industry. The people wanted to secure economic independence from the Chinese. They launched several cooperatives. The economic boycott of Chinese goods was followed by riots in 1912. Sarikat Islam was greatly stimulated by the religious spirit of the people. By appi:aling to Islamism, the leaders succeeded in persuading thousands of Indonesians· to join the movement. The society held its first congress in 1913. It pledged loyalty to the Dutch government and decided to secure measures for selfIn 1917, ltowever, the society changed its demands. It asked for complete independence. The members declared that if parliamentary means failed, they would not hesitate to fight tor their freeQom. The third congress held in 1918 took on a more radical trend. It declared capltalisill! and socialism as the enemies of the people. Several other organizations joined the nationalist movement. An Indian Party was organized in 1912, the main purpose of which was to champion an independent East Indies. In 1923, a League of Intellectuals was established for the purpose of awakening national consciousuess. Later an "Indonesian Study Club" was organized for the purpose of arousing national consciousness. Many similar clubs arose in the various cities of Java. In 1922, R. M. Soewardi Suryaningrat founded the Taman Siswo, an educational institute the purpose of whi~h was to create an Indonesian culture. In 1927, Soekarno founded the National Indonesian Party at Badoeng. In May, 1939, all Indonesian JJationalist parties were organized into a federation known as the Gaboengan Partai Indonesia or G. A. P. P. This federation is the most significant achievement in the development of Indonesian nationalism. The Dutch refused to recognize Indonesian. independence The Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II greatly stimulated the movem~nt for national freedom. The spirit of nationalism was stimulated by the Japanese slogan of "Asia for the Asiatics." Dr. A ch med Soekai'· no col12.borated with the Japanese in order to achieve his main oDjective--the freedom of Indonesia. In his testimony before the international tribunal in Japan, Major Klass A. DeWeerd, a regovernment peacefully. 194 • current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 serve<! officer in the Royal Netherlands indies army who was imprisoned in Java during World War II, testified that the Republic of Indonesia headed by Sookarno was proclaimed after Hirohito had capitulated. This was made possible by the fact that the news of the unconditional surrender could not reach the people. Outside information was totally withheld from the natives and ordinary soldiers. The Dutch government refused to i·ecognize Indonesian independence. rThe Ilritish went to Illdonesia for two purposes. First, to accept the Japanese surrender. Second, to protect more than 200,000 Dutch and Allied prisoners of war and internees. The British forces made no clear-cut decision as to whether to favor the Dutch government or the Indonesian Republic. The British forces came slowly. This gave the Indonesian Republic' a chance to consolidate its position, to proclaim a constitution, and to establish administration over Borneo, Java, the Moluccas, Sumatra, and the Soendas. Provisions of the Linggadjati Agreement In the later part of 1945, widespread disturbances occurred. The Indonesians resisted the British occupation of their country. The British, on the other hand were forced to use Japanese troops against Indonesian extremists in an effort to maintain law and order. On November 30, 1946, the British withdrew according to an agreement between the Dutch and the British governments. The Dutch forces took over the positions left by the British. The Indonesians continued their re8istance against the arrival of the Dutch forces. Bloody clashes took place between the Indonesians and the Dutch. The Dutch government initiated World Problem several negotiations with the Indonesian Republic for the purpose of meeting half-way the demands of Indonesia for complete independence. In the first negotiation held in April, 1946, the Indonesians refused Queen Wilhelmina's offer of self-government because they wanted complete independence. The Netherlands government recommended the establishment of a free Indonesia which would be an autonomous unit in the Netherlands kingdom. The Netherlands government presented the idea that the freedom of the Dutch East Ir.dies should be gradually attained. Because of the unyielding demands of the Indonesians, the negotiations failed. The Dutch government, however, was. determined to settle the Indonesian Question. Efforts were then exerted to resume the negotiations. During 1946 and early 1947, several conferences were resumed. After 16 months of difficult negotiations, the Dutch iovernment and the Republic of Indonesia came to an agreement. They signed the Linggadjati Agreement on March 25, 1947. The provisions of the Agreement were: (1) The Netherlands Govemment would. recognize the Republic as the de facto authority in Java and Sumatra. (2) The Netherlands and the Republican Government would cooperate toward the setting up of a sovereign democratic federal state, the United States of Indonesia (USI). It would be composed of the Republic of Indonesia, embracing Java and Sumatra, the •tate of Borneo, and the Greater Eastern State. (3) The Netherlands and Republican Govenunent would cooperate toward the formation of· the Netherland-Indonesian Union, to consist of the Kingdom of the Netherlands-including the Netherlands, Suriman, and Curacao -and the USI, which Union woulii have as its head the Queen of the * 195 Netherlands. (4) The NetherlandsIndonesian Union and the USI would be formed not later than January 1, J949, and that the Union would set up its own agencies for the regulation of matters of common interest to the member states specifically, the matters of foreign affairs, defense, and certain fi· nancial and econolmic policies. ( 5) Mutual and gradual reduction of Dutch troops from Republican areas. Causes of breakdown after the Agreement. After the Linggadjati Agreement has been reached, both sides became dissatisfied with the way the agreement was being carried out. The Republic of Indonesia became dissatisfied with the steps taken by the 'Dutch to establish the two states unilaterally and not in cooperation with the Republic, as the Linggadjati Agreement provided. It also co~tinued to suffer from economic blockade by the Dutch navy which shut Java off from needed imports. The Dutch government on the other liand were disturbed by the fact that the Republic of Indonesia busily engaged in foreign relations and diplomatic activity which seemed designed to sabotage the plan for a federation and make possible the complete ·independence which had been given up in the Linggadjati Agreement. The Dutch government decided to take "police action" on July 21, 1947. Large scale military operations were launched by the Dutch to restore peace and order. The Indonesians offered armed resistance. The war resulted in the deaths of tmany Dutch and Indonesian nationals and much destruction of property. The Security Council issued a "cease fire" order On July 30, 1947, the governments of Australia and India addressed formal letters to the Security Council urging the Security Council to take "immediate action to restore international peace and security" under Article 39 of the United Nations Charter, A cease fire order was issued on August 1, 1947. Then a Committee of Good Offices was created to help the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia- in finding a basis for a final settlement of the differences which separated them. The Committee of Good Offices was made up- of Belgium, Australia, 'and the United. States. After weeks of difficult negotiations aboard the USS Renville, a plan was worked out which both the Netherlands and Republic of Indonesia accepted. The plan accepted two principles: the first was the truce; the second, a brief and simple statement of principles, known as the Renville Agreements, which are to fonn an agreed basis for negotiating a final political settlement of the differences between the two governments. Provisions of the Renville Agreements The Renville Agreements provided for several principles. (1) The sovereignty of the Netherlands in Indonesia was affirmed for a brief interim period. (2) During this interim period prepai-ations for an independent goverruneril. in Indonesia would be taken. (3) The Dutch and the Republic of Indonesia would cooperate. (4) After the interim period the Government of Indonesia would undertake to transfer full sovereignty to the new nation which shall be called the United States of Indonesia. It is to be composed of a number 196 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 of states, comprising the entire .archipelago, of which one is to be the Republic of Indonesia. ( 5) The boundaries of the states would be determined by democratic procedures. (6) The states making the USI would elect their representatives. A constitution was to be prepared. (7) The new nation, the United States of Indonesia, and the old nation, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, shall join of their own free will as equal partners in the Netherlands Indonesian Union. Progress being made by the Committee of Good Offices The Committe of Good Offices reported to the Security Council that the truce has been generally successful. "froops have been evacuated from either side of the status quo line. Good !feeling between police forces on the demilitarized zones has not been lacking. '~A revolutionary situation has been transformed into one iu which legitimate desires of both Dutch and Indonesian peoples can be achieved through evolutionary processes." The truce has been successful for 6ver five months. The Committee of Good Offices, howe·ver, is trying to solve the difficulties that are being met. After seven and a half months of work, the Committe is faced by deadlocks. During the latter part of May, the Australian and the United States representatives in the Committee became increasingly concerned with the failure of the parties to make any significant progress regarding the major points in dispute. The Dutch and the Indonesian govern .. ment are now faced by a deadlock over the discussion of the "Working Paper 'and Outline for a Political Settlement". Both governments have not yet found a formula for the continuance of the discussions of the Indonesian question. World Affair The negotiations were broken again in December, 1948. War was began by the Dutch. Will the final settlement put into effect the principles of dem~cracy and self-determination which were promised in the Renville Agreement? That, today, is the issue. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why is the Dutch East Indies called the "Treasure House of Asia"? 2 . ·no you think the people of Indonesia have a right to proclaim their independence? Why? 3. Why was education on the ideals of the Indonesian culture important in the development of nationalism? 4. How· is economic. independence related to the struggle of the people for freedom? 5. Explain why the Dutch have refused to recognize the independence of Indonesia. 6. Do you think the offer of Queen Wilhelmina for self-government reasonable? Why? 7. Why did the Dutch and the Republic of Indonesia come to clashes after the conclusion of the Linggadjati Agreement? 8. Do you think the principles of the flenville Agreements f3.ir for both the Dutch and the Indonesians? Why? 9. What is the significance of the work of the Committee of Good Offices? 10. Do you think there is a happy political future for Indonesia? Why? References 1. Vandenbosch, Amry. The Dutch East Indies, pp. 310-340. 2. Lattimore, Eleanor. Decline of Empire in the Pacific, pp. 23-28. 3. Benninghoff, Merrell H. "Progress in Indonesia," speech delivered over the Columbia BroadcaJting System on June 26, 1948. * 197 Why are there "sore spots"? What are the Key Spotlights in the International Scenes for 19497 Specific objectives: 1. To know the key areas of the world which will continue as sore spot& affecting world peace 2. To understand why these key .areas are sore spots 3. To understand the significance of these key areas Significant world events took place in the year 1948, the year which has just come to a close, but as the New Year enters the world scene, -it is confronted by many problems still unsolved regarding world peace. For the first time, its innocent eyes behold the key areas that were the source of conflicts in the past and which will continue as sore spots of the world. What are these key areas which will continue as so.re spots? Why are these areas sore spots? What are the problems which will continue to affect world peace in the months ahead? Continued split between the Easi and West The conflict between the East and th~ West, which had its beginnings at the Teheran and Yalta conferences, will continue to divide the world into two - the democratic world and the communist world. This conflict between the East and the West was marked by four important events in 1948. First, the atomic energy problem was left unsolved. The Russian delegate to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission insisted on the Russian Plan fo.r the control of atomic energy in spite of the fact that the majority of the members voted for the American Plan. Second, the birth of the Western European Union caused uneasiness among the top men of the Politburo, the political conrolling body of Russia, who feared a new realignment of the European powers. Third, the European Recovery Program (ERP) for the 16 countries participating in the Marshall Plan has forced the Cominform to sabotage the project to make Europe .recover economically. Fourth, a full dress battle of harsh words on "war mongering" was witnessed by the 58 members of the United Nations during the third regular annual session of the General Assembly at Paris, France. A close watch on 16 European countries Sixteen countries in Europe will continue to be the center of the economic struggle between Russia and the Western powers. The United States has launched its offensive for the economic recovery of 16 European countries. Funds amounting to $5,300,000,000 will continue to flow until March 31, to these countries participating in the Marshall Plan: Nation Britain France Italy Netherlands Western Germany Belgium-Luxe:rnburg Austria Denmark Ireland Greece Norway Sweden Iceland Turkey Amount of Aid $1,324,300,000 1,130,800,000 703,600,000 599,600,000 549,400,000 295,500,000 185,600,000 130,800,000 113,900,00Q 106,400,000 32,800,000 28,400,000 10,900,000 10,000,000 198 • Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 The latest report of the Chairman of the ECA (Economic Cooperation Administration) shows that three important things are happening in these 16 countries. (1) Recovery is taking hold in Europe. (2) People are more optimistic now than during any other period after the war. (3) War fears are fading. Russia is closely watching the progress being made in these 16 countries. She knoWs that the economic recovery of these countries would bring about their political stability which would thwart her (Russia's) march across Europe. Western Europe Western Europe is now on the spotlight of world affairs. There are two main reasons for this: First a foundation for a new Europe was built in March, 1948 when five powers - Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemburg - signed a 50-year military, economic, and social alliance. Second, significant progress is being made in the fon;nulation of the defense plan of these countries. A correspondent writing in the London Times said: "Western Europe, and not Berlin, is the key to the Berlin Crisis of 1948." Eastern Europe Eastern Europe is also on the spotlight because of two important reasons: First, Russia is trying to strengthen her hold on the economic, political, cultural, and military lives of Poland, Eastern Germany, Eastern Austria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Albania, and Bulgaria - the countries under her control. Although some of these countries would like to adopt the Marshall plan for their e~onomic recovery, they are being forced by Russia to accept and execute the Molotov Plan. Second, some leaders under the Iron Curtain would like to be independent of Russia's control. Whether or not Russia would World Affai" succeed in bringing all these countries under her iron grip w:ill be seen in the months ahead. Spitsbergen Three hundred seventy five miles north of Norway, in the Arctic Ocean) lies Spitsbergen. It is a group of is·1ands belonging to Norway. In th~se islands Russia who has been given the right to mine coal has been demanding, in addition, military bases. Norway refused Russia's demand for these bases in 1948, but whether Norway would be able to refuse future Russian demands a'nd resist another Russian pressU.re remains to be seen. Greece and Turkey Two important outposts of democracy m _Europe, Greece and Turkey, are receiving economic and military aid under the Truman Doctrine. These twp countries are vital in the defense of Europe; Greece is indispensable in the defense of the Mediterranean, while Turkey is highly important in the defense of the Middle East. In. both these countries, however, despite the economic and military aid extended to them, democracy is being endangered. In Greece, democracy is threatened by the continuous civil war launched by the Greek guerrillas under General Matkos Vafiades who established the "Free Government of Greece" to put Northern Greece under Communist control. In Turkey, democracy is imperiled by the demands of RuSsia for military bases in the Dardanelles and for a share in the control· of this passageway. In 1947, Turkey rejected Russia's demand for a joint Russo-Turkish control of the Dardanelles against which other interested powers protesteQ. Today, Turkey fears a sudden attack from Russia who may resort to arms in order to secure her demands... Some political commentators who know this * 199 have fittingly said, "Turkey is living on borrowed time." Palestine By all means, Palestine, the trouble spot in the Middle East, must have peace. Efforts must be exerted to solve the Palestine Question which up to now has remained unsolved despite various proposals. Any means possible should be used to hasten the solution of this problem which has been delayed by the assassination of the Palestine mediator, Count Folke Bernadotte, on September 17, 1948. He was assassinated the day after he had completed his report on Palestine but before any discussion on his report could take place. Pakistan and India In Pakistan and India, the two nations created on August 15, 1947 when the British crown decided to terminate its 200-year rule of India, complete peace is still lacking. These two indepencient states have not yet learned to cooperate in solving their common problems. At present both governments are beset with numerous problems which will test their ability to maint~in their newly acquired freedom. Besides fear of internal strife, like the short civil war between India and Hyderabad in 1948, there are other pressing problems caused by diseases, hunger, death, and insecurity. An official report gives these deplorable facts which Pakistan and Ir.dia must face: (1) 30% of Indian families suffer from undernourishment. (2) Life expectancy is the lowest in the world. (3) The birth rate in India is 34 per 1,000. The death rate is 22.4 per 1,000. are developing their bases in Africa just in case the present "cold war" results into a ''shooting war". Russia wants to get. a share in the control of the former Italian possessions in Africa. The Western powers, however, are opposed to such a demand. Iceland and Greenland Russia and the Western powers are keeping their eyes on Iceland and Greenland because of the strategic positions of these two islands which were used by the Allies as military bli.ses during World War II. Iceland was once under the Danish crown, but now it is an independent nation. Greenland is still a Danish colony. Alaska Alaska is on the spotlight because of its strategic position in connection with the launching of guided missiles. This territory formerly belonged to Russia, but Russia, fearing that Alaska might be lost in case of a war with England, sold it to the United States. As a p'recaution against a sudden Russian attack through Bering Strait, Alaska is now being developed as a major American base, Central Pacific Most of the islands in the Central Pacific are strategically good for military bases. At present in· some. of these islands the United States has a num her of military bases. One of these islands, Eniwetok, has become a testing ground for atomic weapons. Indonesia North Africa The complete formation of the United States of Indonesia which was expected North Africa is again on the spotlight to be perfected by January, 1949 is not as a result of the struggle for "strategic yet in sight. Negotiations which began bases". Britain and the United States (Please turn to page 211) 200 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 Is the world still jittery? What do People Think of World War Ill? Specific objectives: 1. To become acquainted with the impottant views on World War III 2. To understand the significance of these views A memorable year has just ended. This yeal" will be known as a "The Year of 'Decision''. It was a very eventful year because of important developmants in world affairs. One topic that worried so many people and leaders is the question of World War III. The same qqestion will continue tQ engage the attention of world leaders in the months ahead. What are the common views on World War III? What is the significance of these views ? Three eventful years The last three years - 1946, 1947, 194S--were eventful years. During these years, there were talks· .about World War III. In 1946, people began talking about the possibility of World War III; however, most of them did not believe that war would be immediate althou,gh there were evidences of growing tensions between Russia and the United States. In 1947 the talks of another global war became more frequent as a result of the creation of two worlds. Two doctrines also contributed to these talks: the Truman Doctrine for the checking or "containment" of Communism and the Stalin Doctrine for speeding the spread of world Communism. Then in 1948, the talks of another world war became more frequent· and more serious than during the previous two years. The main reasons for this were: (1) the sharp clash of words on "war mongering", (2) the approval of the European Recovery Program (ERP), (3) the birth of Western Germany, (4) the formation of the World Affair Western Union, (5) the revolt of Marshal Josef Broz Tito, (6) intensification of the activities of the Cominform, and (7) the Berlin Crisis. Why we need a survey of opinions We need a calm and careful study of the differences between the democratic world and Russia in order that we may understand the possible causes of World War III. We need also a survey of opinions on World War III in order to understand the undercurrents of history. Danger of "war" 0-ver an "accident" in Berlin It is believed that the "Berlin Crisis" may not bring about a war, although the possibility of war is not eliminated. In an article entitled "Western Europe, Not Berlin, is .Key to Crisis," James Reston, a veteran newspaper correspondent on European affairs Wrote: "There have been talks of war since the Western appeal to the l'nited Nations against the Soviet Union, but sober opinion here is not that the chances of war are much, if any, g;reater. There is no evidence of Soviet preparation for war. The good weather is too far gone for mobilizing and for fighting a major war in the West. One other point that is often overlooked: Western air and naval power in the vicinity of Europe have been increased quietly since the •tart of the Berlin blockade. _.Moreover, the danger that a war may start over some 'ar.cident' to American planes going into Berlin is perhaps smaller than most people believe." * 201 Three-dimensional warfare not sufficient for a global war "War is not imminent," announced Robert S. Allen, Liberty's columnist, after he had talked with George Kenan, an outstanding member of the policymaking staff of Secretary Marshall, and to three key ambassadors - Lewis Douglas in London, Walter Bedell Smith in Moscow, and Robert Murphy in Berlin. Allen said: "Without vast industrial resources, Russia's 'threedimensional warfare' (air, land, and sea) could not be in a position to match the powers of the United States and Great Britain. And Russia knows this too ... " The three key ambassadors in Europe agree that the single greatest factor that prevents Russia from starting a shooting wa.r is her ''unpreparedness," - economic, political, and military. Russia's war potential is in a bad condition. She lacks oil, and her heavy-industries have not yet been rebuilt. Can peace be controlled? After several private interviews with leading statesmen of the General Assembly, a noted political correspondent who covered the third regular annual session in Paris made the observation that war is not imminent, His report oq the war situation is as follows: "The political situation has indeed deteriorated. But the purely political aspects may well be less indicative of war or peace now than before 1939." It was pointed out by the statesmen interviewed that in 1946 the Yugoslavs of these might have precipitated a conflict in 1939, none has done so since the Germah collapse in May, 1945." Is World War Ill at hand? This is the title of an excellent article written by a staff of correspondents from Stockholm, Berlin, Paris, London, and Washington. The general conclusions of these correspondents on March 26, 1948 are as follows: "War fear is great and gro\\1ng in many nations of Europe, War is expected in a matter of months by some, within 4 or 5 years by others. The War trend is running strong. War depends on how far the Russians are ready to push." The same correspondents made another report on July 30, 1948. "War scare," they said, "for the present, is over. The United States and Russia are going to talk, not fight. What is ahead is a story of peace. Diplomats are talking and taking charge of the Berlin crisis. Soldiers now have the back seat. Armed peace is about the best that come out of the talking. U.S.Russian dis~rnst is as strong as ever. Tries for peace may fail again, but peace, not war, is the trend." What are the chances of war? The fateful meeting of the third regular annual session of the United Nat~ons General Assembly made the world jittery because of the "hot exchange of words on war mongering." Time and Life correspondents in Europe and Washington asked the question: '1 What are the chances of war?" The answer to the question, is illuminating. .shot down a United States aircraft in Question; What kind of Soviet act Yugoslavia; that a British transport would bring war? plane was destroyed in a collision with a Soviet fighter; that intrusive forays Answer: There \\ill be war if the have been made into the Western sec- Red army moves beyond its present tors of Berlin and arrests have been positions in Europe or the Middle East. made; that isolated shootings are not That is, the West will fight if the Red unusual on both sides. "Yet, while any Army seizes the Wes tern sectors of 202 * Current Events Review VOL- IV, No_ 7· Berlin or invades the British and U.S. zones in Germany, or attacks in Greece or I~. At the moment it is not prepared to fight so long as others----Greek Communists, for instance - have the Russians fighting for them." The Russians assume that war is inevitable It is significant to note that whenever there is a critical tension in world affairs, Josef Stalin assures the world that .there would be no war. It is also significant to note that whenever the regular annual session of the General Assembly begins, Josef Stalin announces through correspondents that there would be no war. But all these anouncements do not mean that Russia does not want war. In October, 1948, a well written book by Soviet Deputy Premier Nikolai A. VoZnesensky was published in the United States. This book analyzes in part the Russo-American relations and discusses critical areas of tensions between the two great powers of the world. The author concludes that the only condition for peace in the world is the total capitulation of the Western ·•imperialists" to the Russians. We can thus see that Russian dictatorship assumes that war is inevitable. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why do you think people talk about another world war? 2. Explain how the struggle for strategic places col\tribute to creation of critical situations. 3 . Do you think the stand of the United States on principles that will not compromise the liberties of other nations is sound in connection with the establishment of world peace? Why? 4. Why is a three-dimensional warfare important today? Why do you think World Affair Russia is not yet prepared for this type of war? 5. Philip Mosley, a noted political commentator wrote in one of the issues of Survey Graphic: "There we~e more talks of war than the actual shooting war, The more people talk about war, the less chance there is for another war." Do you agree to this statement? Why1 6. A United States senator once said on the floor of Congress: "If the United States will remain firm, Russia will begin to fear her."· Do you think this is true? Why? 7. Why does Nikolai A. Voznesensky conclude that Russia assumes that war is inev;itable? References 1 Welles, Sam. Profile of Europe, pp. 179-189. 2. Chamberlain, William Henry. The European Cockpit, pp. 312-327. 3. X. "The Sources of Soviet Conduct," Foreign Affairs. Vol. 25, No. 4 (July, 1947), pp. 566-582. 4. Cord, Meyer, "What Price Preparedness?" TM Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 179, No. 6 (June, 1947), pp. 27-32. 5. Allen, Robert S. "No War with Russia Yet!" Liberty, Vol. 25, No. 2 pp, 22-23. ATING WIKA a sister publication to this magazine contains abundant, illustrated ma'teriah of instruction in the Filipino National Langnage for grade-school children. • 200 Was the session worthwhile? What were the Important Accomplishments of the Third Session of the General Assembly? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the difficultie; under which the General Assembly worked 2. To know the important accomplishments of the General Assembly 3. To understand the significance of these accomplishments The third session of the General Assembly will go down in history beCaus~ it accomplished a magnificent job. What difficulties were met by the delegates during the session? What accomplishments were made by the General Assembly? Why wus the session significant for future historians ? Difficulties met The General Assembly met in Paris for the first part of its third regular annual session from September 12 to December 12, 1948. Delegates from the 58 member nations held more than 600 meetings in 12 weeks. More than 17,000 words were spoken on outstanding prob.: lems of our times. Sometimes the debates were bitter and the issues, hotly contested, for the delegates did not WQrk under conditions of setUed peace. They labored under conditions of continuing strife and under the shadow of ideological clash between the East and the West. The Paris session did not reveal anything new about the General Assembly's weakness according to an editorial of the New York Times. "The Assembly was given practically no power in the Charter, Its only possible power is in ils role as a forum for discussion and as an expression and reflection of world public opinion." What factors heightened the fear of the delegates? The delegates that met in Paris feared that the third session might be the last session of the General Assembly at which representatives of the communist and non-communist states could sit down together to discuss and settle their common problems. There were several reasons for this fear on the breakdown of the United Nations. They were the possible consequences of the land blockade of Berlin by Russia; the impasse reached by the. United Nations Atomic Energy Cernmission in its efforts to relieve the world-wide fear of atomic war; the continued guerrilla warfare in Greece under the leadei-ship of Gen. Markos Vafiades; the strife in the Holy Land; the division of Korea into opposing sealed zones; and, above all the refusal of the Soviet Union and its satellites to cooperate with the majority of nations in writing . the peace treaties for Germany, Austria, and Japan and in finOing solutions to these and other international problems. The General Assembly did a magnificent job The fact that the G€neral Assembly was able to ~t on so many of the issues facing the world, despite persistent obstructive tactics of the Soviet bloc, it did much to relieve the fears of many delegates. Despite basic disagreements and dissatisfactions during the third session the General Assembly did a magnificent- job. President Herbert Evatt has attributed the hostile critic204 • Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 ism hurled against the General Assembly that it could have done more to the impatience with which the public invariably views the results of a deliberative assembly. It is true that a broad area of disagreement still separates the minority from the majority, but each side has had an opportunity to preserit its views before the wprld forum and they were never so far apart as to cause the withdrawal of either from the international organization. Approval of the human rights declaration One of the outstanding achievements of the United Nations since its estab .. Jishment in 1946 was the approval of the first wiiversal declaration of human rights. The vote approving the declaration was 48 to 0 with eight abstaining, including the Soviet bloc, Saudi ANtbia, and the Union of South Africa. The human rights declaration begins with a preamble declaring that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of alt members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world". There are 31 articles which proclaim the various· human rights, including , freedom of thought, religion a:z\d expression, freedom of assembly, equality before the Jaw, equal rights for men and women, the r1ght to an adequate standard of living and just working conditions; no discrimination as to race, language, religion, prop· erty status or nationality, and flthei' social, political, and religious rights. "The declaration," according to M:rs. Franklin D. Roosevelt who urged the Assembly to approve it, "may well become the international Magna Carta of all men everywhere. We hope its proclamation by the General Assembly will be an event comparable to the proclamation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man -by the French people 'in 1789." World Affair Approval of the genocide convention The international convention on genocide was adopted by a vote of 65 to O, with only three delegations absent - the delegations from Costa Rica, El Salvador, and South A.frica. In the convention, it was defined to be genocide any of the following acts ~m mitted with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, r3.cial or ~eligious group such as: (1) killing members of the group; (2) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (3) deliberately inflicting on the group condition of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (4) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; and (6) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. The international genocide conv~ntion, unanimously approved by the General Assembly and already signed by 20 nations, for the first time in history; would make mass extermination of racial, national, and religious groups a crime punishable by an international tribunal. Decision on atomic energy With only the Soviet bloc dissenting, the General Asseil)bly approved the majority findings and proposals of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) calling for international control of atomic energy with effective safeguards. It expressed cOncern at the impasse in the AEC caused by the refusal of Russia to support the majority and asked the Big Five plus Canada to continue to seek agreement. Decision on the Balkans By an overwhelming vote, the General Assembly condemned the assistance given by Bulgaria, Albania, and Yugoslavia to the Greek guerrillas fighting * 205 against the Greek government and continued the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans, with which the communistic bloc has refused to cooperate in the past. It also approved a resolution arranging for a return to Greece of Greek children. Decision on disarmament The General Assembly reject•d a Soviet proposal for reducing to one third the armaments of the Big Five powers. It asked the Security Council commission on conventional armaments to continue its efforts toward general disarmament. Decision on Palestine A three-nation conciliation commission consisting of the United States, France, and Turkey was established to attempt to aid Arabs an"d Jews in achieving a final settlement of the Holy Land dispute. The Commission is to seek a solution to the Palestine question without reference either to the Bernadotte report of the Assembly's partition resolution of November 29, 1947. In addition, the Assembly set up a voluntary relief program to aid Palestine's half-million refugees. Decision on Korea On the final day of its session and after a lengthy Soviet filibuster, the General Assembly· gave formal recognition to the government of the Republic of Korea at Seoul. This government was established as a result of free elections held on May 10, 1948 under the resolution approved by the United Nations. and refused admittance into the northern (Russian occupied) zone. Other decisions There were other important decisions arrived at by the General Assembly. It approved the arrangements fox establishing the United Nations 'headquarters in New York City with the aid of the $65 million loan made by the United States; it extended the life of the "Little Assembly" (which functions while the General Assembly is not in session) for another year; it added Spanish to French and English as the "working languages" of the United Nations, and urged the Security Council to reconsider the membership applications of seven nations previously vetoed by the Soviet Union and five others which failed to get the necessary majority. In· the financial field, the General Assembly accepted in principle a United States proposal that a ceiling be placed on the percentage of contribution made to the United Nations budget by any one member state. The General Assembly arranged for the tr~nsfer of the·$10,800,~ 000 League of Nations assets to the accounts of the United Nations members who belonged to the League of Nations and approved the largest United Nations budget yet-$43,437,128 for 1949. In addition, the General Assembly extended indefinitely the United Nations Appeal for Children (UNAC), but plaeed its administrative organization under the International Children's Emergency Fund. The UNAC was started a year ago as an emergency agency to collect funds to aid children of war-torn lands. The formal recognition of the Republic The General Assembly will resume its called for the withdrawal at the earliest meeting in New York on April 1, 1948 practicable time of all occupation forces, to dispose of various items which were under United Nations' observance or not acted upon. Among the matters to verifieations. It also set up a United be taken up at that time will be the Nations Commission to sucj'.!eed the disposition of former Italian colonies; temporary commission on Korea which the freedom of information conventions; has been boycotted by the Soviet bloc the question of relations with Spain; the 206 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 proposal for a United Nations guard force; and the treatment of Indians in South Africa. Significance of the accomplishments The historic session of the general Assembly in Pa1is will be remembered by future historians as the human rights assembly. In his closing address, John Foster Dulles, acting chairman of the United States Delegation, said: "We have met in the country where the 'ieclaration of rights of man was inspired. We have met at a time which has seen mankind's greatest struggle against tyranny. And we have met at a time when the paramount issue is the preservation of human freedom. Time and place are combined to welcome the actions which give immortality to this Assembly. Adoption of a universal declaration of human rights. Furthermore, we have given historic support to this declaration by approving a convention on genocide, and by taking many concrete actions showing our fidelity to the high principles of the Charter." The General Assembly has justified its existence as a world forum for the exchange of opinions on world problems. In an editorial comment, the ·washington Sta~ wrote: "All the Assembly measures, of course, will lack force as long as Russia contemptuously ignores them or nullifies them with the veto. To that extent, it may be said that the Assembly's latest decisions without having any means, and little hope, of putting them into effect, lack force. The decisions, however, have the full backing of most of the world, and they thus add up to a moral reality and a public-opinion pressure that the Kremlin, despite its seeming indifference, can hardly afford to laugh off. In that sense, certainly, the work done at ~aris must be regarded as work significantly helpful to the task of building a good peace.,, International News The victory of world opinion was llimilarly expressed by an editorial of the Watertown, New York Times. The paper said: "Russia, despite all her arrogance, is as sensitive to world opinion as any other nation. That is the reason she tried her best to· prevent open discussion of the conflict between the SoViet Union and the Western powers in the United Nations. She failed and the discussion has been salutary. It has demonstrated to Russia the solidarity of the world outside the Iron Curtain." The last session of the General Assembly brought the democracies closer to their ideals of cooperation, solidarity, and world peace. uThe very failure of the efforts to reach a common ground with Russia," wrote the New YM'k Herald, Tribune, "after the expenditure of so much effort and the exercise of so much genuine goodwill and disinterestedness, has had the effect of minimizing any lingering hesitation among the democracies. 'If Russia is ever going to negotiate in good faith and with lasting results it will be because it has finall~ recognized that in the Western association of nations it faces a political organism as purposeful, as strong, and as indivisible as itself, In so far as this recognition has been furthered in the debates of these days, the United Nations has not only assured its own future use· fulness but has 'brought nearer a real peace." Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Show the significance of the accomplishments of the General Assembly during its third session. 2. What did Russia learn during this session? 3. What did the democracies learn during th~ session? 4. How did this third session bring the ' democracies closer to their ideals? * 207 Why is the Dutch Action disappointing? Why are U.S. Papers Concerned over Break in Dutch-Indonesian Negotiations? Several important American newspaper::;· have expressed great disappointment over the break in the negotiations between the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia. The editorials weighed the allegations made by both parties and i..:oncluded in many instances that the situation was one in which the Security Coc.ncil should take action, Why is a negotiated settlement necessary? The Christian Science Monitor said: 41To say that the action of the Netherlands government in breaking off nego..; tia.tions with the Indonesian Republic is disappointing i• to put it mildly. Especiall)- disconcerting are the predictions being made in various quarters that this may lead to renewed Dutch militaty action against the Republic. "There is no denying that the Dutch tiave had many provocations 1ate1y. A mounting series of violent incidents has made the negotiations more diffieult. The Netherlands blames this on the political· intransigence of the Republic, the Indonesians on .the increasing suffering which has come from what they call Dutch economic "blockade"--or "trade regulations," as the Dutch insist it should be called. ''Yet the Security Council decided o\•er a. year ago that the situation was a threat to peace d~anding U .N. intervention, and nothing that has happened ~ince makes it any less of a threat or any more a matter for unilateral or military. settlement by the Netherlands. "For one thing, the communist threat to s.outheast Asia is a matter of gravest international concern. After the Dutch h:id first of all tended to write . off. Indonesian nationalism as Japanese-sponsored, they- next tended to oppose it as communist-manipulated. :The Republic's recent suppression of large-scale communist revOlt has exploded this theory, and recent reports from The Hague say that COl\lmunism in Indonesia is now considered merely a "passing phase" which will- be reduced rather than stimulated afresh by firm Dutch action. This could prove to be another costly misjudgment, affecting the stability of all southeast Asia. "Moreover, ariy Dutch military action in Indonesia would be rilade possible only by the American Marshall Plan aid to the Netherlands. The official Dutch warning against ou.tside "intervention" in Indonesian affair is a little ironical in the light of this fact. uAlready last week, when the United States supported the Netherlands in its objection to admitting the Indonesian Republic to membership in· the UN Economic· commission for Asia and the Far East, the two objecting nations found themselves outvoted by the solid Eastern bloc composed of Australia, Burma, China, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines-and Russia. The United Stafes cannot afford to let itself be maneuvered into backing a forcible resistance to what may prove an irresistible tide of nationalism in Asia. "The best interests of all parties concerned would be served by an immediately renewed Security Council pressure for a negotiated settlement." Why should the U,S_ be interested? The New Y'ork Tim<!s opined that the recent action of the Dutch "has ominous 2()~. Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 possibilities for the future that the Security Council should no longer ignore/' and continued: "The Dutch now would seem to be rea.ssertl.ng; the position tney took m aebates ai; Lake .Success in J,uJy and August of 194 7, that the problem in Indonesia is an internal one that does not fall within the purview of the Security Council. Although the sovereignty Qf the Dutch Crown in Indonesia pending establishment of the United States ot Indonesia was not questioned a year and a half ago by the council, it did decide then that the unrest in Indonesia was a threat to peace. If that was true then it is even more true today ... ''The Republic has consistently looked to the United Nations as its best hope to gain considerably more independ-: ence. . . The Republic's conception of vf the Unitefi Nations as mediator and f"mat arbiter of such disputes seems to us consonant w jth the expressed aims of the Charter. "Secretary Marshall committed. the United States to a peaceful solution in Indonesia along the lines of the United Nations-sponsored Renville agreement in his speech at Paris in September and the Security Council would seem to be bound to do more than sit idly whlle one party to that agreement-the Dutchunilaterally decides that it cannot be implemented." Why did the negotiations fail? The Washington Star, on the other hand, in reviewing the issues of the deadlock found the Republic to be the "local point of trouble and a fatal handicap to the establishment of the united states of Indonesia on which peace and the recovery of the archipelago depend," adding that •1 it seems unlikely that so unstable a situation can endure indefinitely, especi~lly after the setting up of the federation with the recalcitrant Republic left out of the picture. International News uNevertheless, the latest breakdown of negotiations is especially disappointing. The Dutch mission was seemingly resolved. to make all possible concessions in order to reach lasting agreement, while it was hoped that partial suppres-sion of the communist revolt within the Republic had sufficiently strengthened the hands of more moderate leaCers. But the negotiations have proved that two sides are still so far apart that they cannot reach a common ground. The best that can be hoped for in the immediate future is that fresh hostilities can ·be averted." Do you think a word of censure is necessary? The Washington Post stated: 1•In breaking off all negotiations with the Republic of Indonesia, the Dutch government is risking bloodshed in Java and censure from other nations ... "It seems fairly clear that the immediate parties will not reach a settlement unles.s some third party-perhaps a United Nations instrumentality having more powers than the Good Offices Committee-is present ... " Military action is unnecesary Taking lines similar to those of the commentators, 11-ewspaper editors likewise condemned the military action of the Dutch. The Christian Science Monit-Or (122l)stated: "A good many shrewd ob'servers, while granting the rationality of the ideal of federation, believe the Dutch to be gravely mistaken in their present methods and in what they hope to achieve by thern. . . The Seeurity Council and world opinion need to know in the quickest possible order what the facts are, in order that every possible pressure may be brought for a settlement of the dispute by reason instead of force." * 209 The Indianapolis News: "A troubled world can only regard with added sorrow and misgiving the Christmas week renewal of the war in Indonesia. \Vith each side half wrong and half right, what a pity it is that the two could not; come together in the interest of mutual peace and progress. ' 1 In their strilggle for national independence, the leaders of the Indonesian Republic themselves may be adjudged guilty of the ··same crime of predatory colonialism which they impute of the Dutch. . . instead of becoming a co-equal unit in a united states of Indonesia, a whole federation of islands and peoples, these leaders demand virtual rule over the entire archipelago ... "On the other side, the Dutch have taken a high-handed attitude even during the truce negotiations instituted after United Nations demand ... " The New York Sun: "That there are a few brighter aspects to the reports from Indonesia - notably the absence of severe bloodshed - does not prevent news in general from being highly discouraging... It behooves the United Nations to continue keeping watch over the situation and again to extend its good offices at the slightest prospect of success." A costly mistake The Hartford (Connecticut) Courant: "The Dutch have resorted to warfare in direct and cynical violation of the pledge they made to the United Nations last January 16. However justified the Dutch may feel, they are bucking a surging tide of nationalism that is sweeping all Asiatic peoples. That t.ide cannot be swept back by superior strength ... We shall have to hope that the Security Council ... can patch up a truce again as it did in 1947. Only if it does can the economic needs of the Dutch and the determination of Indonesians to be free be kept in delicate balance." Pittsburg Post-Gazette: "In violating its truce with the Republic of Indonesia, the Netherlands has made a grievous mistake that can only prove costly to itself and embarrassing to it$ friends,. among them the United States ... "Unfortunately the Dutch still can't seem to realize that age of imperialism is over. The most they can hope for in the protection of their great economic istake in the rich East Indies is a mutually agreeable partnership with their former subjects. "A Netherlands Indonesia union, in which each member would be a co-equal partner with the Netherlands under the Dutch crown, appears to be the best solution that the Netherlands is likely to work out... It would be a great tragedy if their (Dutch) efforts, and those of the United Nations, should now be undone by ill-considered attack on the Indonesian Republic.'t Solution by reason and not by force The Rochester Democrat Chr<micle: " .. ,.The factors which are causing· unrest in Europe, Asia and in fact an around the globe, are more or less involved in 'the East Indies. Any one of these centers of unrest have explosive possibilities, any one may get so· tar out of hand as .. to start reverberations around the world. "In all of these situations, the legitimate national aspirations of the people who wish to be independent are in conflict with the forces which seek to keep them under control. And everywhere involved, like red thread, is the communist philosophy, which has· everything to gain from revolt and confusion. "The establishment of a . Dutch commonwealth along the lines similar to the .British commonwealth has been accepted as a sensible s~lution for the .East Indies prol;>lem ... The United. Nations (Please tum to page 211) 210 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No, 7 Key Spotlights •.• (Continued from. page 199) in 1946 for the creation of the USI have bogged down. The Committee of Good Offices of the United Nations in its report to the Security Council states that difficulties are being met in· the finaf settlement of differences between the Republic t>f Indonesia and the Dutch. government. Late in December, 1948 the Dutch launched another "police action". This led to a war between Dutch governinent and the Indonesian Republic. The Republic of Indonesia is also fighting the Communist forces, who under the leadership of Musso, tried to seize the powers of the government. lndo-China Ind<i-China will continue to be on the spotlight because of the determined ~truggle of the Viet Nam fo.r freedom. As a part of this struggle, President Ho Chin Min promised to drive the French out of Indo-Chini. In this connection, it is important to note that the French government is spending more money in suppressing the Annamese revolt than in rebuilding French Indo-China. China China has been on the spotlight since Lhe unconditional surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. Since then, China has been faced by economic and political problems which have been aggravated by civil war. The successive victories of the Chinese Reds has given rise to a serious question: Will China be finally under the grip of Communism? This question will be partly answered in the months ahead. Korea A divided Korea will remain divided for sometime. The Republic established in the southern sector cannot exercise its full sovereignty on the entire country because of Russia's occupation of the northern sector which has been subjected to Communist pressure. As World Problem Why are U.S. Papers ••• (Continued from page 209) exists to further the steps along that line. The first step in a peaceful solution shouJ4 be to accept the jurisdiction of that body of world opinion." The Boston Hera/,d; "The right arawer to the East-West problem is yet to be found, but we know it is not the 18th century Olli' of guns and troops. The Security Council should intervene promptly in Indonesia and the whole weight of world opinion should be brought to bear on the -Dutch to stack their arms and resume the patient search for an agieement of hearts and minds." The St. Louis Dispatch: "The Netherlands Government is flying in the face of the world's conscience, In resorting to war against the Indonesian Republicans for the second time since talks on sovereignty started three years aio, it is not advancing toward a solution, but only complicating and deferring it. The Indonesian question, when it is settled, will be settled by reason and not by arms ... -•in response to world opinion, as expressed through the U.N. Security Council, -the -Dutch ceased their aggression against the Indonesians on August 4, 1947. The incident proved th11t they are not unresponsive to what other nations think. Prompt and firm UN action therefore ought to be applied anew." a matter of fact, twice in 1948, the Republic was threatened by revolts led by top Communist leaders. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Name the key areas that are considered sore spots. 2 . Explain why these areas are troubled or sore spots. 3. How do these areas affect world peace? 4. From the study of the article, what do you think at·e the factors that delay world peace? * 211 Why is Selfish Nationalism an Obstacle to World Peace? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the danger of selfish nationalism 2. To realize the values of internationalism Increased and genuine international collaboration rather than selfish nationalism and power politics is the price of stable peace, said Francis B. Sayre, U.S. delegate to the U .N. assembly. Why must selfish nationalism give way? Speaking at the University of Heidelberg, Sayre pointed to the new world built on uglobal·concepts of international obligation" emerging since the war, and scored the Soviet Union for the actions which he averred, show it "is not yet alive to the international responsibilities of the 20th Century world." "The 19th Century concepts of absolute national sovereignty and of balance of power depem;lent upon watertight compartmentalization of nations ... must go," Sayre said, R{ld their place. taken by ·international collaboration "which presupposes that every people has a genuine part to play and a contribution to make in the great objective before us-that is, the rule of law based on justice and the progressive building of a peacef.ui world where individual men and women may have a more abundant life." Century no nation can live unto itself alone" and designed "to strengthen European economy and aid in building it again into a highly productive and selfreliant economy." Still another manifestation, he. said, is the Western European Union, "a cooperative movement by free peoples to erase through common effort and collaboration much of the outlived political and economic nationalism which once held them apart." What does the Berlin bloclcade show? Contrasted with these efforts, Sayre pointed to acts of the Soviet Union, referring particularly to the Berlin blockade, where, he said "great nations, determined against all odds ·at tremendous cost to themselves and without hope of material reward are undertaking to feed former enemies and stand by them at whatever cost against the aggression of those who would rob them of fundamental human rights." He noted that through debates in the United Nations, Ha clearer comprehension has emerged .. ~ . concerning the true issues involved." He pointed out that in the Berlin dispute, "mos~ General Assembly delegates'' now realize that the blockade of Berlin does in fact constitute a threat to the peace ... the Security CoWlcil resolution based upon this tact· was supported by every Manifestations of world collabo member 6f the council except the Soviet government and its satellites. The council made clear to the world exactration Sayre pointed to one concrete mani- ly where the responsibility lies." festation of such collaboration-the Eu- Sayre noted that the debate on interropean Recovery Plan, "built upon the national control of atomic energy also hardheaded realization that in the 20th (Please turn to page 223) 212 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 Why did the Berlin youth show their civic courage? Why was the Last Election in Berlin Important? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the point of view of the Western powers on the constitutional rights of the Germans. 2. To . understand the significance of the municipal elections in Berlin. Commenting on the recent municip3.1 elections in Berlin, the U.S. State Depattment hailed the "wholehearted participation" (Jf voters in the western sector of Berlin as a further demonstration of the civic courage which in recent months has won the admiration of the democratic peoples of the world. Text of the State Department "The Berlin ·population has in recent months demoristrated the type of Civic courage which has won for it the admiration of the democratic peoples of the world. The wholehearted participation of the overwhelming majority of the population of the westerrt sector of Berlin in fair and free municipal elections was a further demonstration of their sane civic courage. The conduct of the people of Berlin is an encouragement to all those who voted for the maintenance of civil liberties and democratic prcr cesses." View of the Western Powers on Berlin problem Jointly, the United States, Great Britain, and France have notified the United Nations Security Couneil that the Berlin problem •·could even now be set aside if the Russians were to dis~ own the unconstitutional body created m the Soviet sector on November 30, 1948, arid in conformity with the constitution permit the elections to be held on a city-wide basis". International News This stand of the Western Powers Was expressed in a note, made public on December 5, 1948, accompanying a list of Soviet violations of Berlin's FourPower Constitution which was submitted for the guidance of a committee of neutral finance experts appointed by the Security Council to study Berlin's currency question. The note said in part: "On the afternoon of November 30, Soviet authorities countenanced, indeed encouraged, a series of events in their sector which have completed the exclusion of the legal city administration from its proper seat in the Soviet sector and from the exercise. of its legal authority in the· areas of Berlin which are under Soviet occupation. A carefully stagemanaged meeting of communists and communist front organizations (including a handful of former memQers from other legal Berlin political parties) brought into being a body for which no legal basis exists, but which claims to be the provisional city government for the entire city of Berlin. "Although this illegal body will be excluded from usurping any functions of the legal city government as far as the western sectors of Berlin are concerned, its existence in the Soviet sector will end all possibility of a legal unified administration functioning on a citywide basis. This is a development that the Western Powers have constantly striven to avoid. It is obvious that the de facto political division of the city makes the establishmeri t of a single currency exrtreme1y difficult. Respect for the people's ri.ghts The three Western Powers cited So(Please turn to page 224) * 213 Significant World News Roundup PALESTINE Another attempt The United Nations General Assembly in ibs last session adopted an amended British resolution for the establishment of a three-member conciliation commission to assist the Arabs and the Jews in negotiating a Palestine settlement. W·ith 8 members abstaining, the commission voted 35 to 15 in favor of the resolution. A seven-nation amendment approved before the final ballot eliminated all refer~ces ih the resolution to both the origi6al U. N. partition plan and the Bernadotte proposals as the basis for a boundary agreement. The Soviet bloc, the Arab states, Cuba and Afghanistan opposed the Palestine resolution. The nations which abstained from voting were Bolivia, Burma, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Iran, and Mexico. What is the significance of the news? The approval of the resolution is another attempt to solve the complex Palestine question. The resolution seeks a peaceful settlement of the Palestine question with the aid of the conciliation commission. It provides free access to holy places, affords protection to travelers in. Palestine, and gives Jerusalem an international status. It facilitates the repatriation and resettlement of Palestine refugees. It is hoped that the conciliation commission will succeed in its complex task. THE UNITED ST ATES sisting private exchange of scientists, scholars, and others with Eastern Europe to promote international understanding. It believes that this program must have a long range objective. The Department of State made known its stand when the recommendations made by the Advisory Commission on Educational Exchange relative to private interchange between the Unlted States and Eastern Europe were announced. The commission is charged with recommending to the Secretary of State policies for carrying out the United Nations Information and Educational Exchange Act. What is the significance of the news? The stand of the commission coincides with the foreign policy of the United States in promoting world understanding. The report of the commission states that "for the United States to close its doors to all contacts with those nations with whose philosophy -it disagrees would be to pull down an iron curtain on our side of the Atlantic, to adopt a policy which we condemn, and to lose in world opinion much of the moral leadership which this country has enjoyed. . .. To cut off contacts with the totalitarian nations of the world because of the fears as t<J what might happen to democratic institutions through such contacts would imply a weakness which has no justification in fact." GERMANY Air lift continues Private education exchange Additional tran~port planes and 1,050 men will be transferred to Germany in The United States· State Department support of the Berlin air lift, the U. S. has disclosed its 'policy to continue as- Air Force announced. 214 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 The annowicement came on the heels of new tonnage records for a normal 24hour operation in "Operation Vittles," as the Berlin air lift is popularly known. On two consecutive days, U. S. and British airmen eclipse4 previous records when they flew into Sovietblockaded Berlin 6,133 tons of food and 8'qlplies on Wedn,..day and 6,312 on Thursday. What is the significance of the news? In announcing the fact that it was reinforcing "Operation Vittles," the· USAF disclosed that the 317th troop carrier wing was being transferred from Japan to Germany. As the Bertin airlift continued, U. S. Air Secretary Symington, hailed the effort as· an example of how a peaceful cause can be served through air. ferce equipment. According to Symington the air lift is mi expensive freight transportation, but it is carryjng out t!ie design of a great humanitarian purpose. His exact words are as follows: "1. The air lift is preventing starvation among a population some two-thirds as large as that of Chicago. "2. Landings at the Berlin airports are spaced three minutes llpart in good weather, five minutes in bad weather. The schedule is so tight that if a pilot fails to land on his first pass, he has to return with his load to the loading point.. Very few returns are necessary -a tribute to the skill of the operation. "3. In six months the operation so far has cost 16 American lives as against 233 American lives daily in World War II. "4. Records so far indicate that the money cost for vittles for an entire year will be approximately that of World War II for a single day. "While Operation Vittles is being accomplished by a military organization, no force is involved. Int~ational News 11 This is air power at work for peace t This is air power as an instrument of diplomacy.'' KOREA An impressive action! The United Nations General Assembly by an overwhelming vote of 41-6, adopted a resolution proposed jointly by the United States, China, and Australia to declare the republic of Korea headed by Dr. Syngman Rhee the lawful government of Korea. What is the significance of the news? The approval of the resolution is an impressive action taken by people who believe in the peaceful methods of solving the problems of the world. 'fhe resolution is significant beca1.¥1e of the following reasons : 1. The resolution is a resounding endorsement of the policy of the United States regarding Korea and an equally resounding condemnation of the wrecking tactics· of the Soviet Union which has done its best to sabotage the ·efforts of both the United States and the United Nations itself. 2. It assures the· republic of Korea of increased backing. She will probably be diplomatically recognized by many nations. 3. The presence of a United Nations Commission on Korean territory may tend to restrain the Soviet puppet regime in North Korea from acts of intervention or thinly disguised revolutionary agitation. 4. The resolution places on record the differences between the government which the great majority of the nations rncognize as the republic of South K.r rea and that which the Russian leaders have set up (the People's Republic). The first was established in the OJ>en.t with the whole world looking on and * 215 under the. critical eye of a' United Nations ·body. The second was established behind an. iro.n curtain that has been far more effective than that which separates Vv. estern Europe from the SoViet and the other communist states of Eastern Europe. U.N. CHILD-ASSISTANCE A great humanitarian plan Detailed plans for a $8.8 million child assistance program in eight countries and several territories of Asia and the Pacific were announced recently by th~ United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Assistance under the program will go to the Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, Ceylon, India, IndoChina, Pakistan, Siam, arid the terntQries of the United Kingdom. In the Philippines, a UNICEF allocat;.:_n of $800,000 will be used largely for food and vitamins, part for scholarships for 10 child-welfare trainees, and a small amount for the purchase of BCG vaccine for inoculation against tuberculosis. In Indonesia, $800,000 has been allocated to cover both the Dutch-controlled and Republican areas, in keeping with UNICEF's principle of aid without discrimination because of race, religion. nationality, or political affiliation. In the Dutch area, money will be used primarily for feeding, with the rest going for drugs and fellowships. In the Republican area, medical supplies and training ·wm comprise the greater part of the program. In India, $750,000 will be used for a six-month supplementary :feeding program for 100,000 children and mothers. Drug-s will be provided, and a large sum has been set aside for clothing because according to a report received by the fund, hundreds of thousands of children in refugee camps in the north face the winter desperately short of clothing. In Indo-China, $800,000 will be uae.> for food and drugs in both the Frenchcontrolled and Viet-Namese areas. In Pakistan, a portion of the allocated $250,000 will be u,sed for clothing and medicine, while the bulk will go toward a 12-month 6Upplementary feeding program. In Siam the entire allocation of $100,000 will be used for medical supplies, principally anti-malaria drugs. In the United Kingdom terrillOries, $250,000 has been earmarked for ml'dical training program in Singapore and North Borneo and for feeding programs in Hongkong and Malaya. In addition, $800,000 has been set aside for demonstrations throughout the area for the control of malaria, a major cause of child-death in the Far East. What is the significance of the news:' The action taken by the UNICEF ';s indeed humanitarian. It boldly outlines what the United Nations is doing jn those fields least known to most peoples of the world. It is also worthy llO note that the contributions asked for through the UNAC campaign are spent wisely for a very good cause. Subscribe to ATING WIKA a monthly magazine that contains abundant ilfustrated materials of instruction in the Filipino National Language for grade school cl!ildren. Subscription rat~s: One year (10 issues) One Semester (5 issues) M.50 4.00 ATING WIKA 933 Raon St., Manila 216 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No.. 7 The Philippines and the World Books for the Philippines "fhe San Francisco Youth Association has collected approximately 30,000 text books for use in the Fhilippines, according to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. These books will be distributed by the UNESCO in connection with the educational reconstruction work in wardamaged areas. Significance of Philippine import control In a speech delivered before the Export Managers Club in New York, Emilio Abella, minister plenipotentiary and Philippine Chai'ge d' Affaires ad interim, stressed the significance of the Philippine import control regulatfons. "The prime object of the regulations," according to Abella, "is to divert foreign exchange to capital goods requirements of the rehabilitation and development of the Philippines. This control will most certainly place American business with the Filipinos on more permanent and stable tonnage even after war damage, back-pay disbursemenbs, and army anq. navy expenditures have ceased in the Philippines, an eventuality which you and the Filipinos should be prepared to face and for which adequate provisions should be made now." Loan for the Philippines The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development has completed the preliminary phase of an inquiry into hydro-electric projects for Luzon which form part of an over-all Philippine development program. The Bank has entered into loan negotiations for an amount up to $15 million National Affairs to finance foreign exchange costs of two projects. The loan application which .has been received by the Bank from the Philippine Government covers othe;r hydro-electric projects and a fertilizer project. As these additional projects become ready for financing, the Bank is prepared to give them serious consideration. Such additional negotiations would be subject to the limitations of the available resources of the Bank and to the effective application by the Philippine Government of the recommend3.tions of the Joint Philippine-American Finance Commission which stud~ed Philippine economy in 1947. These recommendations include measures for the conservation of foreign exchange holdings, the channeling of local savings into capital investments, the conduct of a sound monetary policy, and the completion of effective technical plans for economic development. The Philippine Government has assured the Bank that it intends to continue with the rapid implementation of tlrese recommendaions. The projects included in the Philippine loan application form part of a broad development program for the years 1949-1953, covering the fields of ~griculture, mining, power, industry, transportation, communication, and public service. The Philippine government has estimated the total cost of the program at approximately $980 million. Convention now in force The U.S. Department announced recently that a consular C':"lnvention between the United States and the Philip· pines, reaffirming the desire of both countries to strengthen further relations • 217 in facilitating the handling of consular matters, is now in effect. The convention, signed at Manila in March, 1947, entered into fOrce on November 18, 1948, with exchange of respective instruments of ratification. The convention sets up a reciprocal basis for the exchange of consu).ar officers, defining their rights and duties. It also covers such matters as privileges and iri1munities with respect to taxation and import duties, representation of nationals, authentication and notarization of documents, and shipping and marin~ problems. The rights of each country to acquire land for official purposes is also covered by this convention. UNESCO mission to pay a visit An educational mii:.ision composed. of representatives of the UNESCO will pay a visit to the Philippines. The UNESCO will pay for the fees and transportation of the mission. The Philippine government will pay for the board, lodging, office facilities, tour of the missioners in the Philipines, and the establishment of their technical 11Staff and secretariat~ The educational mission will conduct consultative work with the Philippine government. For better relations and trade J. M. Shrinagesh, Undersecretary of Commerce of the Dominion of India, recently paid a visit to the Philippines. The purpose of the visit was to discuss ways and means of promoting better relations and trade between the Philippines and the Dominion of India. The Dominion of India jg one of the two independent nations created out of India on August 15, 1947. The possibilities of developing a mar· ket for Philippine products in the 'Dominion of India havei been thoroughly discussed by the Undersecretary and local business leaders. UNICEF delegation visited the Philippines The delegation of the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recently visited the Philippines in connection with ehildren relief. The delegation was composed of Dr. Michael Watt, director, Ralph Goodwin, Aurelius Parenti, and Jan Devries . The four-man delegation made inquiries on some problems of child relief in the Philippines in order to gain the necessary information which has an important bearing on the sum allotted for relief work in the Philippines. According to the chief of the delegation, the UNICEF has allotted 1'600,000 for child relief in the Philippines. Socialized medicine The need for socialized medicine was stress~d by President Elpidio Quirino in connection with the fourth annual conference of fue Philippine College of Surgeons. He said that there is a need for cooperation in "improving and restoring the health of the people, in curing and rehabilitating the sick, and in uplifting the general condition of the masses. The President explained that socializ.ed medicine has been pracbtced in foreign countries wit:i.1 great success. He could not understand why socialized medicine cannot succeed in the Philippines. The President said: "There is no reason Why we cannot launch an aggressive crusade against disease in this country by devising ~ wOrkable approach to the problem of dispensing socialized' medicine." The Philippines supports Indonesian independence The Philippine government has reiterated its stand in favor of the independ(P!ea..•e turn to page 224) 218 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 Science Marches On Sound Flashlights A small device that uses the reflections of ·sound waves to help the blind walk more safely is the invention of ~ grou,p of university students in th~ United States. Termed a "sound flashlight", it resembles a large flashlight in size and shape and is carried in similar fashion by the user. The invention is reported in Electronics, a technical publicaition, by Victor Twersk,y, the adviser of a group of studet¢s in a research project at the eity College of New York. Twersky says the device has "proved successful" as a guide to sightless persons walking alone. It warns them of such obstructions as trees, lamp posts, parked vehicles, hedges, and flights of stairs. It also helps the blind find open doorways and, in expert hands, is said to reveal slight depressions in the ground. How simple is the "sound flashlight"~ -Sound waves projected from the unit in a narrow beam are reflected by solid objects. The reflected sound warns the user of the proximity or the presence of these objects. The user carries a single-tube oscillator-powered by smali hearing-aid batteries-in his pocket. An extension cord .runs from the oscillator to a small transducer which is mounted at the focai point of a lightweight reflector carried in the user's hand. The transducer converts the oscillations into audible sound which is projected by the reflector. The reflector is four inches in axial length and four inches in diameter at the mouth. It is made of spun silk and aluminum covered with cardboard, and Modern Science baffles of cotton and sponge rubber are used to reduce "leaking" of sound. This device, which is adjustable to different acousti'cal conditions, has a sound frequency range between eight and 15 kilocycles. Because of its adjustibility, it gives the user much relief from ear fatigue. Preliminary tests have shown, Twersky says, that detection of obstructions is possible at a distance of 30 feet or more, depending, of counse, on the number of the obstacles present, the volume of the -competing noises, and the skill of the user. Synthetic Glycerine Glycerine, an essential ingredient of such products as re.sins, cellophane, food and drug preservatives, is being produced synthetically in the United States from proy1ene, a waste product of petroleum refining. An $8,000,000 plant opened recently in Houston, Texas, by the Shell Chemical Corporation, the Houston Post says, •1is the world's first commercial synthetic glycerine plant and representis an entirely new industrial source of this essential produc·t, which should help satisfy the world's growing demand. During the last global war, glycerine was so scarce. that the supply was allocated. Radio Isotopes' Uses Radioactive isotopes produced in atomic fission piles in the United States are helping to save human limbs that in some cases might otherwise have to be amputated, reports Dr. Morris R. Friedel, of the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research at Cook Country Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. * 219 Radioisotopes give off radiation in the same way that radium does. They are distributed by the UnH<!d States Atomic Energy Commission to medical research institutions, including those in a score of countries outside the United State;s:, which have agreed to admit as visitors all qualified scientists, regardless of nationality, and give them information on the progress of their research work. Describing the successful uses of radioisotopes before a recent meeting of the United States chapter of the Inter· national College of Surgeons, Friedel said that radioactive phosphorus has proved to be an effective guide in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) . When the isotope was introduced into the blood, he explained, the radiation emitted by the phos· phorus made it possible to trace the blood's circulation by means of a Geiger counter outsi'de the bod"y. "Using this method," Friedel said, "we are able to determine not only the condition of the circulation, but also the probable respomse to treatment . . . Thus we can predict whether the patient :will improve by the use of a variety of conservative treatments, nerve surgery, or amputation. Limb& where blood circulation is shown to be absolutely lacking must generally be amputated." Hybrid Hens 225 eggs per year, the specialists report. The national average output per hen in the United States is 155 eggs, they add. Infra-red Rays United States1 scientists, seeking tools for more accurate weather forecasting, have taken new high-altitude measurements of infra-red rtt.ys. These rays constitute the sun's invisible radiation which warms the earth's atmosphere and makes human life on this planet comfortable. A recent United States Navy report describes a 2-year project in which scientists of thf' Navy and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, cooperated. A plane carried the scientists and specially designed instruments to an altitude of 35,000 feet, said to be the highest that infra-red measurements of the sun have ever been taken. At this altitude, the report says, the scientists discovered that the atmosphere is clear because there is almost no water vapor. Their infra-red radiation is strong. They also found that in areas nearer the earth, the amount of water vapor increases. This absorbs a good deal of the infra-red rays and raises the tempP.rature. The Navy says that the "first estimates of the data recorded indicate that the information should be valuable in meteorological forecastir.:g". It adds that astronomers who have been studyExperiments with hybrid hens con- ing light in atmosphere will now have a ducted for 15 years show clearly that new basis for far more accurate evaluathey yield an average of over 10 per tion of light intensity and light absorpcent more egglS per year than good tion. specimens of straight-bred hens. Rtporting these findings, poultry special- New Coal Digger ists of the United States Department of Agriculture declare, more-over, that hy- A giant mechanical digger, said to be brid hens usually resist diseases better capable of mining and loading 100 tons and are capable of more sustained pro- of coal a day, has been developed in the duction under unfavorable climatic cc.a- United States. The machine, in a deditions. monistration at a "strip" (surface) mine Jn· the United States, good straight~ near New Lexington, Ohio, dug and bred hens produce an average of 200 loaded 20 tons of coal into motor trucks eggs a year, while hybrid hens average (Please turn to page 224) 220 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 United Nations Series (No. 33) Why is the Trusteeship System a Revolutionary Concept? Specific objectives: 1. To know the purposes of the Trusteeship Council 2. To understand how the Trusteeship Council works 3. To know the achievements of the Trusteeship Council "For the first time in history," wrote 'l'rygve Lie, Secretary-General of the United Nations, "an international agreement-the Charter-has stated specifically that the nations whir.h control the world's dependent areas recognize the interests of their inhabitants as 'paramount.' And they accept· 'as sacred trust' the obligation to promote the utmost, the well-being of those inhabitants." What are the purpoFes of the Trusteeship CoUJlcil? What are itis accomplishments? Purposes of the Trusteeship Council The Trusteeship Council was created to supervise all trust areas of the defeated nations of World War I and World War II and other territories turned over to it by the United Nation6. The Trusteeship Council must promote the welfare of the peoples of the trust areas. It must help in their political, social, economic, and educational progress. How the Trusteeship Council is constituted The Trusteeship Council is composed of permanent and non-permanent members. The Big Five and the countries administering trust territories are perWorld Problem• manent members. The non-permanent men:ibers are elected by the General As:Sembly. The membership in the counlc.il must be equally divided between members of the United Nations which administer the trust territories and those which do not. How does the Trusteeship Council work? The Trusteeship Council evolves plans and undertakes studies to improve the general conditions of trust areas. It has for example, adopted several methods of keeping in touch with developments in trust areas. The most revolutionary of these methods is the periodic visits by the members of the trust areas. This procedure is effective because the members see actual conditions in the trust areas. Information on the economic, social, educational conditions in most of the dependent or trust areas is transmitted each year to the United Nations by the government in charge. For example, ~ight governments sent in data regarding 63 territories in 1947; the information transmitted in 1948 i; even more complete and substantiated. All of this information is examined by a perm.anent special committee before each session of the General Assembly. To this body the results of the study are submitted. To make the information a.is uniform as possible, the General Assembly has approved a standard form to guide the administering countries in preparing their data and in comparing conditions in their colonies with those of neighboring selfgoverning areas. * 221 Values of information Information on non-sett-governing territories is important: (1) It provides opportunities for governments to discuss conditions in these areas; and (2) It furnishes accurate data on the economic, social, and edurational progress of these areas every year. Using this information, the Unitl?d Nations can decide .the necessary steps that should be taken to prepare the peoples in the trust areas for self-government or independence. Territories under Trusteeship To date there are 10 territories placed under the Trusteeship Council. These are: (1) New Guinea which is administered by Australia; (2) Western Samoa, administered by New Zealand; (3) Nauru, administered by Australia on behalf of N•w Zealand, Great Britain, and itself; (4) R11anda-Urundi, administered by Belgium; (5) Togoland and Cameroons under French Administration (France) ; ( 6) Togoland and Cameroons under British Administration, and Tanganyika, under the United Kingdom; and (7) the former Japanes~ Mandated Islands in the Pacific, administered by the United States. The former Japanese Mandate<! Iolands· in the Pacific have been designated a Strategic Trust Territory by the administering authority because of their military importance. All l-' n ited Nations functions relating to stre.leg~~ areas are carried out by another m.:'.jo:r organ-the Trusteeship Council. What have been accomplished by the Trusteeship Council? Since its initial meeting in 1947, the Trusteeship Council has done much to promote the advancement of the peoples in the trust territories. Among its important accomplishments are the following: 1 . The sending of a special mission to Western Samoa.-In answer to a Samoan petition for a greater measure ot 8elf-governrnent under the protection 'Jf New Zealand, a special mission was sent to visit Western Samoa. The special mission recommended the grant of a greater measure of s~lf-government for Western Samoa. This recommendation has been put into effect by New Zealand, the administering power. 2. Special attention to the Ewes.The Ewes sent an appeal to the council for the unification of their land, which is at present divided between the Gold Coast Colony and the two Togo Trust Territories. The council approved the measures initiated by the British and the French governments to improve the economic, fiscal, and culttlral conditions of the Ewes. 3. Special visit to East Africa.-The Trusteeship Council made a special visit to Ruanda-Urundu and Tanganyika to know the actual living conditions of the people in those trust areas. 4. Recommendations for improvement. -The yearly reports submitted by various administering countries are examined very carefully by the Council. After an exhaustive study of these reports, the Council Submits its recommendations to_ improve· the political, social, cultural, and economic lives of the people. Significance of the work of the Trusteeship Council During the general debate on the work of the Trusteeship Council in the third regular annual session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, various opinions were expressed on the significance of the work of the Council. Among the important views expressed were: High-water mark of political morality. - Brigadier General Carlos P. (Please turn to page 223) 222 • Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 Why is Selfish • • • (Continued from page 211) clarified issues, with only the Soviet bloc voting against the findings of the U .N. Atomic Energy Commission. He also pointed to the debate on reduction of armaments which "made clear that the Soviet proposal to reduce existing armaments by one-third was impossible without a system of effective international inspection and verification ... "• Why must internationalism be recognized? u1 have been outlining trends," Sayre said, "and those trends of wkich I have been speaking are ·presently over-shadowed by East-West controversies ... Western civilization believes in human dignity in a world society of tolerance. It is struggling against the ruthless attacks against human liberties and the rights of small nations and to protect the rule of law, of right, and of conscience as opposed to might ... ''The Politbureau is seeking its ends, as its actions in Berlin, in East Germany, in the Baltic countries, in Pol.and, in Czechoslovakia, and in other countries prove, through methods of violence and terrorism and ruthless disregard for fundamental human rights. With the great mass of the Russian people we· have no quarrel. But unhappily for centuries they have been kept in ignorance and darkness and largely cut off froril vital contact with other great peoples. Their present government is still keeping them separated from the warm currents of human int~rcourse with the outside. The Soviet government is isolating itself in the world and in the United Nations. Manifestly, it is not alive to international responsibilities of the 20th Century world, But the important fact is that either the Soviet government must sooner or later recognize and accept these 20th Century international responsibilities or fall ... " World Problem Trusteeship System ••• (Continued from page 222) Romulo said, "A bright page in the record of the United Nations during the last two years has been written." He also said that the Trustefship Council shows that the United Nations has an organ or body which has demonstrate'd its fidelity to a new or revolutionary concept-the principle that the welfare of the inhabitants of Tru.st Territorie~ was the collective responsibility of the International community. The steady progress of the work of the Trusteeship Council, he said, represented a highwater mark of political morality in the modern world. For a speedy self-government.-The Trusteeship Council r.iust prepare the people in the' depende:nt areas for a speedy self-government, according to Mrs. Vij aya Lakshmi Pandit of India. All possible aid and encouragement.Secretary George C. Marshall said that all possible aid' and encouragement should be given the peoplee of dependent areas in order that they may play their full part in the family of nations; as independent states or in freely cho· sen assOciations with other states. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why is selfish nationalism dangerous? 2. Why are certain nations not yet alive to internationalism? 3. Why does the world need internationalism? 4. Will Russia give up its selfish nationalism? Why? * 223 Election in Berlin ••. (Continued from page 212) viet actions which "extended over a period of many months to bring about a piecemeal (and finally a total) division of the city by constant inierference in the normal processess of the unified German city administration." On the other hand, the note pointed out, the Western Powe~s "have constantly maintained a policy of non-interference with the legitimate and quadripartitely authorized functioning of the city government," adding: '~It has been their conviction that inteference is unfortunate because (I) it destroys the unity upon which the constitutional administration of the city of Berlin depends and (2) believing as they do in the basic importance of the role of law in democratic life, they cannot countenance the systematic and arbitrary actions of the Soviet military administration to set aside laws adopted by the people and approved by quadripartite agreement." Significance of the elections The Berlin munic~pal elections show that when people are given chance to vote freely, the choice of officials is done honestly. The people give expressattempt to foil the free elections in sia attempt to foil the free elections in Berlin failed because the Germans showed their civic courage. The Russians have learned that intimidation, the usual Russian method used in other countries under the Iron Curtain, cannot be accepted by a people desirous of expressing their own free wil1. The elections were also significant because the results show that the Germans have repudiated world communism. Exercises to Devefop Thinking 1. Why was the election in Berlin a demonstration of civic courage? 2. In what way were the democracies Science Ma1·ches On ( Contmued from page 220) in less than an hour. According to Clifford Snyder, president of the Sunnyhill Coal Company and developer of the machine, this giant mechanical digger had been tested previously in deep Shaft mines in the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In discussing the machine's potentialities, Snyder noted that the average miner, working without machinery, turns out 5 tons of coal a day in the United .states. The same miner using present-day mine equiplr1t:.nt turns out 25 to 30 tons a day, or about onef ourth of the total output of the machine. A~cording to Snyder, only one man is needed to operate the machine although a second man usually aets as guide to the machine operator. The Philippines and the World (Continued from page 218) ence of the Republic of Indonesia which was threatened by the unwarranted Dutch attack in December, 1948. Part of the Philippine policy on the Indonesian question follows: 1. The Philippine government has consistently been in favor of the Indonesian Republic in accordance with the Linggadjati Agreement which sets forth the basis for the establishment of the United States of Indonesia. 2. In recognizing the Republic of Indonesia in the same manner and extent as the Netherlands has recognized that government, the Phi~ippine government was of the firm belief that the terms of that agreement would be carried out faithfully and in a pe"aceful and order~ ly manner. responsible for the development of civic education in Germany? 3. Why do you think the three Western Powers are not interested in interferring with the constitutional rights of the Germans ? 224 * Current Events Review VOL. IV, No. 7 Jnt1c0dacin?ORIENTAL msTORY by DIOSDADO G. CAPINO, M.A. Editor, Current Evsnts Review Indispensable * It is the first textbook that presents a unit discussion of all problems in the Course of Study in Oriental History prepared by the Bureau ol Public Schools. The materials required for student readings have been presented in an easy, r<oadable, and intei·es!ing manner. The discussions are in~grated so that the required specific ob;ectives in the Cours!' of Study in Oriental History may be achieved psychologically. Timely * Materials that remain scattered in the different required references enumerated in the course of study and in new references such as recent pamphlets. historical reports. historical surveys, and special studies on Asiatic aHairs are presented for a reasoned, inte9rated, and easy understanding of all the problems given in the Work-sheet of the course ol study. Well-organized * A series of specific objectives based on the general objectives !liven in the course of study indicates the unit organization. A Previ,;,w is Q"iven to introduce each unit. The. study materials are organized into relatively important problems. The main problem for each unit is subdivided into a number of minor problems which are intended to focuo ;ittention on the lype of understanding desired, rather than on the narrative sequence of events. Useful * The boo!, provides widely varied learning activities. Each unit i' provided with different activities. problems. and suggestions for enrich ing the knowledge. PXperience. and training of the students. TJ,.,,,, an· (I) Self-testing Exerdses; (2) Individual and Cooperative Activities: (3) Signi/tcanl Words and Terms; and (4) Names We should Identify and Understand. Illustrated The book presents generally helpful pictures, maps. cartoons. charts. and tables. Pictorial illustrations are given with elucidating captions. Up-to-date * All units are brought up-to-date with the addition of new prohlf'ms designed to complete ur.derstanding of the unit. * A new unit (UNIT VII-How the Far East was Involved in World War II and Post-War Developments in the Orient) has been included in the book. Materials as of Sept. 30, 1948 have been incorpornted. High sthool instructors and principals who may wish to l'XCIUline ORIENT AL HISTORY by Diosdado G. Capino for possible adoption in their classes are invited to send rts tl"ioi orrlers. Books, sent i11 response to said orders, may be paid fo1· in 10 days afte1· receipt thereof or returned at our expense. Price-f',1-.00 per copy, paper-bound 1"6.00 per copy, cloth-bound Order your printed copy of the book.,-now! MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING COMPANY 123-125 Reten Sampaloc, Manila MANILA EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC. 933 Raon Quiapo, Manil.a