Domestic Quarrel

Like love triangles throughout history, Russia's recent flirtation with the West has resulted in jealousy and political temper-tantrums on the part of China. The atrocities in Tibet, squabbles with India, denunciations of the U.A.R. and Yugoslavia are the embarrassing and peevish actions of a self-righteous and somewhat neglected power.

No one is surprised at this turn of events. The fact that China's revolution occurred later, its doctrinaire line and insistence on "communes," and the traditional fear of Russian expansion into China--these factors will continue to create friction between the two powers regardless of what happens to India and to the Russian disarmament proposal.

In the present instance, while Khrushchev has been trumpeting that "Russia is the greatest power," secure in his disarmament declaration, China has been playing dog in the manger, having treated Khrushchev's visit as unimportant and having refused to issue a joint communique on the occasion. The trouble in India has been explained, so far, as a cover for Tibet atrocities or as an outlet for Chinese territorial expansion needs (Nehru's view.)

A more interesting explanation lies in the possibility of a Soviet-Chinese deal, a patching up of present tiffs through a series of concessions on both sides. Russia, which is now concerned with keeping its bourgeoise respectability on the international scene, would get backing on its summit conference proposal and a promise of peace overtures towards Formosa. In exchange, Russia would step up economic assistance, wholeheartedly support the Chinese position in Tibet, and furnish nuclear weapons to its neighbor (perhaps in time to coincide with French tests in the Sahara).

If Russia can no longer extract favorable terms in bargaining with China, the question is raised: who can? Perhaps the Russians feel that the more people have bombs, the more serious disarmament proposals become--but this is small comfort to the other members of the "nuclear club." And it is only a matter of time before the Soviet Union runs out of concessions which would hinder Soviet expansion southward. Khrushchev has announced that Russia is the greatest power on earth--but China's actions speak louder than words.