Millitary aid from the United States to Chiang Kai-shek's tottering government could only temporarily halt the Communist armies and would fail to solve the Chinese problem, John K. Fairbank, associate professor of History, said last night.

Victory for the Chinese Communist faction and the downfall of the Nationalist government is only a matter of time, according to Fairbank. The best aid the U.S. could send now would be in the nature of food and other necessities of life. These shipments, though, Fairbank stressed, should not go directly from our government to either the National or Communist government but should be distributed through such agencies as United Service to China, Red Cross, missions, and the UN International Relief Organization.

U.S. Must Bargain

When a Communist government, probably in coalition with other left wing elements in China, assumes power, the U.S. must be prepared to bargain with it, said Fairbank.

"A sulky attitude on the part of the United States toward a Communist governmnet in China just because it is Communist would only endanger our already unsteady position in Asia," Fairbank added. "The Chinese Communists are true Communists, in the political theory sense of the world, and their connection with Russia is only ideological.

Relations with a Communist China will probably be difficult at first. At present, the Chinese Communists have a very unfriendly attitude toward the United States. But, said Fairbank, the propaganda, which at first was merely a series of lies denouncing the United States, has now become less bitter. This, Fairbank feels, might be an indication that the Communists will deal with this country when it becomes expedient to do so.

Reorganization Difficult

China's size and its lack of communication will mean a long and difficult task of reorganization for the Communists, says Fairbank. The Communists recorgnize this and it appears that they desire to gain power over China gradually in order to cope with civil problems.

The collapse of the Chiang Kai-shek government is a result of the conditions which have developed under it in China. China, Fairbanks said, suffers under inflation, corruption in government, a police dictatorship, lack of food and clothing, and a general air of no hope.