Evening star., 1932-12-11
SOVIET WAR CLOUDS LIFT,
DUE TO PEACE TREATIES
Russian Pacts With France and Poland
Revive European Hopes for
Peace.

Soviets never have accepted the from
tiers as definitive. On the contrary.
for years one of the familiar phrases
In Europe has been when the Soviets
cross the Dniester," which was fore
cast as sure to come as the first step
in general Red advance.
Today the Russians have no inten-
ton Of attempting to cross the Dnies
ter, but they have made so much Of the
issue that it is difficult for them to drop
1t easily. On the other hand, Titulescu,
now in control Of Rumanian policy, has
always been insistent upon the clearing
up of this question of title by formal
Russian resignation. And today Titu-
lescu is still holding up Russo-Ru-
manian non-aggression pact on this
ground. Yet there is good reason to
believe that compromise will presently
intervene and, in any event, this de-
tail is not of first-rate Importance.
Called Soviet Victory.
The Soviets claim the present treaty
as victory for Red diplomacy. and it
measurably is, because 1t constitutes a
new recognition of their Government
by France and a real assurance against
French diplomatic and financial hostil-
ity. But what gives the agreement a
prospect Of enduring Is that, for the
French, it is also success.
BY the treaty of alliance made by
Millerand after the Polo-Bolo war Of
1920 France and Poland were united
in an alliance and France became
measurably responsible for the defense
of the new Polish Republic. This was
an enormous responsibility, for the
Poland of that date was exposed on
the east to the attack of a still hostile
Russia and on the west to Germany
resolved not to accept the Corridor sit
uation. And while France could move
against Germany in case of a German
attack upon Poland, she was helpless In
the face of Russian aggression.
AS far as the Corridor question Is
concerned, France has been as power
less to achieve German acceptance as
she Is unable to bring about Polish con-
cession. On the contrary, for three
years this question has increasingly
threatened European peace. But now
France has brought an agreement be-
all present time excludes the possibility
that Poland will have to defend herself
on two fronts.
German Pact Undermined.
Thus little by little there has been
undermined that German-Russian al
Nance which ever since the Treaty Of
Rapallo In 1922 has been a Continental
nightmare. The rise Of nationalism in
Germany and the corresponding harsh
ness of the various nationalistic ele-
ments in their treatment of the Ger
man Communists have progressively
broken down Russo German political
association. The triumph Of Hitler
would mean beyond question some far
reaching suppression Of the German
Reds. Moscow, therefore, cannot-eyen
| If 1t wished-indefinite maintain the
old semblance of alliance with Ger
many.
But the recognition Of the fact that
a German attack upon the western
| frontiers of Poland would not be sup
ported by Bolshevist offensive in the
east must act as strong deterrent to
any German Nationalist adventure to-
ward Danzig and the Corridor. For to
crush Poland single-handed would tax
the present German military establish
ment to the uttermoSt-and there
would also be the question of French
military action on the Rhine.
In effect, Russia has moved over from
the German side In the present Euro
pean situation to the French. She has
taken sides with the doctrine Of status
quo rather than of treaty revision for
the very patent reason that she desires
| for her own interests to prevent any
war in Europe at the present time
| CONTINUED on Third Page.)