Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-05-28

Continued From First Page)
On this theory, it is said, Toxic assumes
that the world public opinion would not
look with disfavor upon any nation
which may contribute to the downfall
of the Soviet regime. On the contrary.
in many countries, Japanese victory
may be hailed as victory Of capitalism
against Communism
This, however, is only partially true.
In Washington. as well as in the prin-
Cipal European capitals, the possibilities
of a war between two powerful coun-
tries like Japan and Russia causes con-
siderable concern, because in the pres
ent restless state of the world nobody
knows whether, should such calamity
occur, the conflict could be localized.
Russia Unprepared.
Russia is certainly neither anxious
nor adequately prepared to fight any
country. Last January it was assumed
that If Russia were attacked In ST.
IBERIA she would offer only feeble re-
sistance and let the japanese annex
all the territory they wanted. The Sit
uation on the Polish and the Ru-
manian frontier was too uncertain to
allow her to withdraw some of her
best troops and send them in far-away
Siberia.
The situation has changed. however.
in the last two months and more so
in the last few weeks, since the So
cialists' victory in France. 1t is an
open secret that the future prime min
lister of France, Edouard HerriOt, Is not
enthusiastic over the Franco-Pollsh
alliance and, while not prepared to de-
nounce it, he would certainly never
encourage any Polish adventure against
Russia.
To make this point of view unmistak-
able. the French government has in
formed Poland that the French military
mission. which has been in Poland since
the formation of the Polish republic,
will be withdrawn about the middle OF
July. r lis gesture of the French gov
eminent cannot fail to bring home to
the Polish government the idea that
France will not stand for any adventure
on the part of her ally. 1t is true that
the Polish Army is now fully organized
and does not need any longer the as
sistance of the French mission, but all
the same the withdrawal of the French
staff officers at the present moment is
a plain indication of Frances desire to
avoid any trouble in Eastern Europe.
Rumania is in a bad financial situa-
ton and is not likely to embark upon
any adventure against Russia at pres
ent, especially if her principal ally,
France, is not willing to support her.
Divisions Sent East.
With her western frontiers compare
lively safe, the Soviet government has
been able to free a certain proportion
of her army and send it into Siberia for
any eventuality. The exact number OF
Russian troops at present concentrated
in the maritime province and west Of
the Baikal Lake is not known, but &C
cording to reliable information the So
VETS have concentrated in that district
eight or nine divisions in full war
strength; that Is to say between 100000
and 10000 men. They are well
equipped and possess some 230 air
planes, tanks, gas and other modern
war paraphernalia.
When two such armies face each
other under the present strained po-
litical conditions, when the japanese
still support the white Russian elements
who live close to the Soviet borders,
and when the military elements in
Japan control the destinies of that
country, it is only natural that the
American and the British governments
what may happen on the frontier be-
tween Manchuria and Siberia. The
situation seems to be at the mercy Of
the slightest Intentional or uninten-
tional incident.
It Is this grave situation which Mr.,
Stimson and Ramsay Macdonald are
believed to have discussed in their con-
versation of last Thursday. Whether
they reached some agreen'e nt for a
common action and whether any action
of outside powers can have any effect
on the Japanese government remains
to be seen.