IF the Communists had not realized it be fore there was no mistaking the change of pace in foreign relations following the able ‘‘state of the union" address by President Eisenhower, Monday. Two significant pro nouncements stand out. First, the Ameri can Seventh Fleet would be ordered'to stop shielding Communist China from the Na tionalist Army on Formosa; second, he in vited Congress to disavow any Roosevelt Truman "secret understandings" which permit enslavement of people anywhere. The •. atement of policy was not approved in every quarter, particularly by the Brit ish, but in the United States the general feeling is that the first step in clearing the foreign policy fog has been made. Mr. Eisenhower took a tactic from the Russians when he made his first pronounce ment. It has been our understanding that the Seventh Fleet was posted at Formosa in the first instance to keep the Chinese Reds from running Chaing Kai-shek and his Nationalist army off the island. Whether the- situation has changed during the past three years so that the Nationalist army is strong enough to effectively attack the mainland does not appear to be clear. It is reliably reported that from 400,000 to 750,000 well trained and fairly well equip ped veterans of Chinese wars compose the Formosan army. Increased activity on the mainland of Communist forces in develop ing defense lines indicate that Chaing may have force enough to cause the Commies anxiety. At any rate, the President made clear that the United .States would no long er- immobilize potential forces along the vulnerable coasts of Communist China. It is to be noted that he did not withdraw the second part of the Truman order which protects Formosa from attack by the Chi nese Reds. We must understand therefore that Formosa "ill be protected. This shift in policy opens a potential second front against the Chinese Reds and will relieve some pressure in the Korean war zone. 1 he Communists must realize that Mr. Eisen

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