Published January 1962 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the Office of UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD Roam 342, Old Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D.C. Volume II--Number 1 1-5-62 BYRD'S EYE VIEW A Public Service Column by U.S. SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD RUSSIA AND RED CHINA SPLIT OF LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE TO WEST The current ideological differences between Red China and Russia are causing same mean words to be passed between them, much to our delight. However, we would be sorely misled if we were to believe that the vocal intemperance between these two Communist giants could substantially benefit the West. The things over which Russia and Red China are bickering are of no great consequence when viewed against the forces which bind them together. The basic ideology of Communism remains the same the ultimate conquest of the world. The current: differences are merely centered on how best this piece of business can be achieved. These differences do not in any way lessen the fact that the Red China and Russian leaders continue to share the same hatreds, the same suspicions, the same insecurities, and the same ambitions insofar as the West is concerned. Moreover, any aggressive manifestation against either one of them by the West would quickly weld them together again in common support of each other. The plain fact is that, despite the current name calling, both Red China and Russia know that they need each other. Without continuing close ties with each other, their respective industrial and economic developments would suffer, and their cold war tactics would have to be somewhat muted. Without Russian financial, technical, and material assistance, the present industrial and agricultural difficulties in Red China could become intolerable to the already hard-pressed masses of her people. Thus, a complete rupture of relations with Russia would be too risky an undertaking. On the other hand, a hostile Red China along her lengthy Mongolian and Siberian borders would play havoc with Russian aspirations. To defend herself against possible aggression from her erstwhile Communist brother, Russia would have to divert large numbers of army divisions and much military equipment from their poised positions along the borders of free Europe and the Middle East. The Kremlin does not intend to make this kind of a sacrifice. Thus, despite the cordial dislike which each set of leaders has for the other, Red China and Russia must remain wedded to each other. Their mutual interests are more powerful and overriding than their well publicized frictions. Any contrary assumption can be dangerous wishful thinking. --30--