Mr. President. the exodus of refugees from Communist China has attracted world attention. When the British Government first undertook to return the refugees to China. there was an outcry of rage from the rest of the world. but until yesterday. there was no offer to help. The invitation now extended by the Chinese Nationalist Government in Taiwan should provide a welcome for these unfortunate souls. driven from their homes by the scourge of hunger. one of the hallmarks of a Communist state. Although the action of the British in turning back the refugees is deeply regrettable. it has certainly served one good purpose: It has publicized more widely than would otherwise have been possible the desperate conditions in China. the utter lack of hope which these refugees personify. and the miserable failure of the Communist promises for China. Unfortunately. refugees from Communist tyranny are no longer news. There have been so many over the last decades that we are used to it. What is news is the refusal of even the British. who have such a truly magnificent record in Hong Kong. to accept more refugees. With the assistance of Nationalist China. some restrictions can perhaps now be raised. Other nations may also make some efforts to help. now that the need is so overwhelmingly clear.
Keywords matched
refugees