The Columbia evening Missourian., 1922-06-06
ALLIANCE WITH
GERMANY Is
RUSSIAN AIM
Two Countries Are Closer To-
day Than Any Other of
the European
Powers.
ALL CLASSES FAVORABLE
People Believe Trade Can Be
Carried on Without
Any Compe-
titiOn.
ALL CLASSES FAVORABLE

D, UsiieS Pres.
Moscow. June 6.-The Russo-Cerma
bloc, 50 long feared by Western Euro
pesn statesmen, has finally become
concrete reality. with every prospect q
continuing ss important factor in cor
tinental politics. no matter what govern
meni is in power in Russia
Less than four years after they cease
shooting at each other. Russia and Ger
many are closer today than any othe
two large powers in geographically
economically and automatically.
Seldom If ever in history has nationa
sentiment undergone such a complete
face-aboui in such short time. From
peasants 10 merchants. intelligencia tG
laborer, and Communist TO non-part,
man. no, only has all vestige Of ani-Teu
ionism been removed. but there has aris
en- a decided appreciation Of common.
ness Of interests with the Germans and
z desire to recognize that fact and make
open community Of cause as soon as
possible.
Fathers and mothers who LOST sons
in the war have remarked 10 me grave.
~ the last few weeks:
A POLITICAL NECESSITY
IAN alliance with Germany is an eco
nomic and political necessity for Rus
sia. We do not admire Prussianism any
more than in 1914. but We cannot deny
that the two countries are natural allies,
both on account Of their geographical
positions and their industrial and agri-
cultural interests. We might better recog-
nize this reality sooner thzn later, and
take what profit we can"
PRISONERS TREATED WELL
Many said they we're moi treated too
badly in German prison camps. Ger
tain il is that the transplanting Of hun
dreds Of thousands from Russia to Ger
man prison camps during the war had
almost as great an effect upon the ignor-
ant masses. comparatively speaking. as
the presence Of several million dough-
boys had upon popular ideas Of the
world in America The contrast was
even greater, coming as so many did
from tiny villages on the Steppes which
had bounded their world from them all
their lives and had likewise represented |
the center Of creation for their fathers J
and grandfafhers.
A Russo-Cerman alliance strikes them /
as one Of the most natural Of arrange
ments. The thing that surprises them
IS that it wasn't done long ago
Russis's and Cermanyis mutually de- /
pressed valuta, as well as geographical
have brought them rapidly
together commercially during the las;
light months.
The low exchange Of the mark has en-
lbled Russia to purchase many comme-
iities in Germany which she could not
possibly have bought-at least in such
Iuantities-in other countries.
German goods already ouinumber all /.
'ther importers products on the Russian
market. German business firms are en-
rgeticslly prospecting in Moscow, pre-
airing TO renew old connections.
All this has stimulated pro-Cermanism
n commercial circles, creating an in
linaiion towards Berlin among mer-
hants and small traders.
1T is TO Russia's advantage to do
lost Of her trading with Germany one
Russias prominent manufacturers (be-
ore the war; remarked yesterday. Ger
iany is the only large country for the
,oment that can exchange with Russia
n anything like equal terms. This is
OF only on account Of the conditions
both countries valuta.
TRADE WITHOUT COMPETITION
Germany and Russia can trade with
ut competing with each other. Ger
Isny can give US machines and manu-
lctured products which we need badly.
'e can give her raw products that she
eeds quite as much. Between Germany
I'd Russia there is not the conflict and
ash Of interests that exists, for instance.
tween Russia and France or England.
"Russo-Cerman commerce can be NUT
lily beneficial.
Germans also understand Russia bet.
than other Europeans. They knew
long before the war and know how
operate under conditions prevailing \
re-"