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France's recognition of Communist China is not a severe blow to U.S. interests, two Harvard professors said yesterday.
Both Benjamin I. Schwarts '38, professor of History and Government, and Stanley H. Hoffmann, professor of Government and Research Associate in the Center for International Affairs, felt that France's move should not be a cause for great alarm in America.
Hoffmann said that France's move was "not necessarily a disaster unless we make it so. It will be one only if we make too many concessions to Red China and allow her to take control of all of China."
He attributes do Gaulle's move to several factors. One is the belief of the French president that Southeast Asia is indefensible and that negotiations with China will be necessary. Another is de Gaulle's long range goal of ending the world supremacy of the U.S. and Russia and increasing the strength of the secondary powers including France and China.
Schwarts felt that France's action would probably not be harmful to the world situation and might even have "marginal benefits." He predicted that China's chances for U.N. membership would be increased and suggested that a revision of U.S. policy on this matter might be appropriate. "It is time," he said, "to start thinking how we can let them come in without jeopardizing our relationship with Taiwan."
The most significant question in the affair, be felt, was whether Red China's acceptance of an ambassador from France while France maintains diplomatic relations with Nationalist China would represent a tacit acceptance of a world with two Chinas.
Both men protected that other countries, particularly those in Africa, would follow France's lead in recognizing Communist China.
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