Seward daily gateway., 1931-11-03
ALASKA AND THE SOVIETS


 ALASKA AND THE sOvIETs
 
 While there is no immediate cause for apprehension with regard to evenuates pictured by Senator Lewis of Illinois, who brings back from Europe the impression that Soviet Russia is only awaiting the right moment wage of conquest for Alaska the matter calls aten- on to the hepessness of Alaska should such course undertaken by Russia other hostile party
 While the pacifist may Hull his conscience under the half ntoxicaton of brotherly love- the fact remains that in the present state of world conditions may not be surprised at anything.
 Wars seldom have righteous cause behind them They preordained forces which has little control We hear of national unrest throughout the world and even find it penneatng our own social structure. It has been the custom since the world young to satisfy these urges for change by turning the sword.
 It would be surprise if Russia actually sought to put into action the rmored threat of attempt to Alaska from the United States It must be remembered that she has of the best armies in Europe numbering four million men, who could be put into the field at moments notice This army is confirmation of the pre- mise that need have nothing behind them It recruited for the ostensibe purpose of defending Russia from It's enemies in the ux of reconstruction after the revolution But, like the youth emerging from ado eScence, Russia desires to demonstrate her physical ra ther than moral strength.
 Accepting the premise that Russia has such designs and at the proper time will seek put them into effect what would the status of Alaska be such eventuaty?
 As it stands the Territory the kev to any aggressive
 
 there IS evidence that Europe desires war at this time simply because it could not afford it. Yet it must be re- membered that the seeds by the United States in 198 instead of bringing forth flowers of gratitude and good will have produced harvest of jealouses and anti pathes. Russia would serve admirably as catspaw with winch to pull European chestnuts out of the fire
 In the process Alaska is available for the taking Con- bnng with Japan, the Soviet forces could step in and Wrest the Territory from the United States overnight
 In view of what is ranspiring in the Orient this eventuality is not far-fetched.
 There not fertilization or even the most primitive agency of defense It is like leaving billion dollar treas ure exposed to the greedy eyes of racketeer
 On the other hand we have the western coastlne where habtabe hedgd in by reservations purported to be held as means of protection against assault This re- zion IS almost primitive it the day Russia sold Alaska to the nation.
 In the event of attack would be necessary for the nation to initiate every step for making this coastlne hab 1taDle Tor an army or serve as a naval base.
 It would seem logical to release these ocked-up ares to those who would break soil and prepare them for use Tn case of emergency Their acquisition in case of war would cost less than would if left in their vr gin state.
 The sudden wrestling of Alaska from the United States might not appear important to the East but it would be tragedy for those who have through their own toll and sacrifice made it habtabe It would be equally tragic to the nation enemy secured foothold and able to direct it's assaults from it's proximity to the Pacific coast
 YGG~ TZz~l