The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-27
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

A FTER some fourteen years, Russia at last
N has been admitted to the League of Nations
on the face of it one Of the major events OF
international politics since the World war.
No less than five years ago Russia was I'M
thinkable to the league. Likewise, even respon-
sble Russian diplomats denounced the league as
an international organization designed to serve
and perpetuate capitaliStic oppression. Russian
Communists have, bitterly condemned labor
parties and social democrats in western coun-
tries for supporting the league.
The nations in the league, if anything are
more crudely capitalistc and imperialistic than
they were in 1920. Russia is even more of
menace to capitalism than it was then, because
it has made relative success of the Conlmunlstic
experiment, which was only delicate and ugly
baby in 1920 and only a dubious adolescent in
1927. Why this great change, in which former
deadly enemies lock arms with oStenSible en-
thuSiaSm?
This question is answered by the distinguished
English publcist, Mr.. H. NJ Brailsford in an
article on Russia Enters the League" in the
New Republic.
TIE points out that the whole spectacle of
L l. Russia's joining the league has been pro-
duced by vigorous fear of Germany.
Russia is perturbed lest Germany attack her
in the rear Just after Japan has provoked a war
in the far east. France fears Germany because
of the secret rearn1ing going on under Hitler,
and she knows that as soon as Germany is passa-
bly, armed France never could crush Ger
many single-handed.
Russia was Frances old pre-War ally in the
period from 1892 to 1914. But since the war,
France not only resented Russian Communism,
but also doubted Russian potency as a military
ally. But the French air minister went to Mos
cow He found that the Soviet air force is one
of the best in Europe, that the Soviet Union is
in position to manufacture airplanes in greater
numbers than either France or Great Britain,
and that its airplane factories are located at a
distance which would make bombing inprac-
ticable by enemy powers from the west.
A S Brailsford remarks, this discovery on the
L n part of France had a miraculous influence
in changing her moral appraisal of Russia by
France:
Here then was an acceptable ally. This
power had all the moral qualifications for men,
bership of the League of Peace. RussiaS pariah
days are over: She can bomb with the BEST"
Therefore the French and the Russians de-
vised treaty of mutual insurance against ag-
gression. Obviously this was designed to pro-
tect them both against attack. But France saw
the advantage of having Russia in the League.
because the French are especially devoted to
| the League.
at guarantees their conquests; it stereotypes
the map of Europe their general staff drew;
it upholds the Versailles treaty; with an ingenu-
Gus air of liberalism, it is the ideal safeguard
of stated powers against unwonted change.
Therefore, the French stipulated that the Rus
slams should join the league, bringing their pact
with them"
1t is quite apparent, then, that Russa's entry
neither is a sudden haring up of idealism on
the part France nor a momentary lapse OF
virtue on the part of Russia. 1t is political real
ism in full bloom: Russia enters in the hope
that the league, which means for practical pur-
poses the French group, will localize in the Tar
east the war that she expects Japan to levy
against her That limited reckoning, and not
anv conversion to Wilsonian liberalism draws
her to Geneva"