Taraknath Das

Significance of Political Trends in the Far East

ence to forget for a few minutes the preconceived notion cherished and taught in the West that there is fundamental difference between the East and the West-dilference in human institutions, in mental processes, and even in human anatomy. To be sure, there is the difference of color; and the color complex as well as the race complex has been playing havoc with the reasonings of scholars and legislators as well as of laymen, to such an extent that the index and standard of citizenship is now-a-days determined by the color or racial origin of a man. Men of the type of the late Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the late Dr. Nitob6, and Dr. Rabindranath Tagore are not eligible for citizenship in this great democracy of the United States of America, because Asiatics, however qualified morally, are not eligible for citizenship. We also know that a great scientist like Dr. Einstein, because he is non-Aryan, is not eligible for citizenship in Germany, although he was born in that great country. I ask you to forget this ideal of racial discrimination; because unless you do so, you will not be able to appreciate the spirit behind the political aspirations of the peoples of the Far East. They want racial equality before the law, so that they may not be regarded as inferior, in practice, by the dominant peoples of the West.

RAMAN, T. A. Report on India. Pp. 231. New York: Oxford University Press, 1943.

ternational economic policies. However, he concedes that both Burma and the region of northwest India which is dominantly Moslem in population should have complete self-government. In fact, Mr. Panikkar holds that in matters of defense, foreign affairs, and international economic policies, the federated states of India and Burma must have a central authority. India needs Burma’s oil and foodstuffs, while Burma must have the support of India for her defense and industrial goods. The northwestern part of India, which has been lately designated by the Moslem Leaguers of India as Pakistan, is vitally important for the defense of India from the West; and at the same time Pakistan has not sufficient economic and industrial resources and manpower to maintain a large modern army for its own defense, without Indian support. With good will and co-operation of the British Government, willing to concede India’s right to be free, such an arrangement can be effected. The author in separate chapters discusses the role and the position of Burma, Thailand, Indo-China, the Netherlands East Indies, Malaya, and Singapore, as well as those of the United States, Great Britain, and China. He comes to the conclusion

2.50. BRAILSFORD, H. N. Subject India. Pp. viii, 274. New York: John Day & Co., 1943.

(p. 120). In making any program for the solution of the problems of southeast Asia, national aspirations of the peoples of this region as expressed in nationalist movements cannot be ignored. &dquo;This nationalism has three characteristics: an assertion of racial equality, a claim for complete political power, and a desire for economic self-dependence. The assertion of racial equality is an essential part of Asiatic nationalism. For over

2.50

Three other chapters deal with the population pressure on Java (Problem Sinister) and the efforts of the Government to relieve it through emigration and industrialization. The most important lesson to be gained from these case studies in colonial policy is that success was attained only when the measures were carefully and sympathetically adjusted to the social-economic structure of the Indonesian community. In a final chapter the author gives a brief

PANIKKAR, K. M. The Future of South- East Asia (An Indian View). Pp. v, 126. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1943.

SOVEREIGN state has various A attributes. Among them are ( 1 ) well-defined territory with population, (2) well-constituted political authority, and (3) manifold power to enforce its authority without outside interference, primarily for the security of the state and the welfare of the people. It has also an obligation to co-operate with other states for a better world order. Every state, to maintain its very existence, security, and survival from disruption and aggression by internal as well as external forces which may endanger or usurp its authority, must exercise power according to circumstances. When this power is used in relation to internal politics, it becomes &dquo;exercise of police power&dquo; of a state. When the power of the state is used in relation to external affairs or in matters of foreign relations to check such designs of another state as may be detrimental to its interests, it takes the form of playing &dquo;power politics.&dquo; All states play &dquo;power politics&dquo; in