, 1935-01-06

that are holding up Russia's sale OF
the Eastern Chinese Railway to
Japan hide dangerous Interior mo-
tiveS.
The rapidly increasing Russian
and japanese ornaments concen-
trated on the Siberian Manchukuo-
an frontier have created a tension
which can lead to q terrible catas-
trophe any moment-by the mere
lighting Of a match" says the Tokyo
Foreign Ministry. The Soviets u 2
gest a pact, but Tokyo refuses to
talk unless the huge Russian army
leaves the Far Eastern border. It's
the same old story. Neither trusts
the other. and while pickering over
a peaceful solution" both REIN
force their diplomatic positions"
by dispatching more troops. vladi-
vcstok, RuSsia's outpost within easy
striking distance of the vital Man
chukuoan and Japanese centers, is
fast becoming the most powerful air
base In the Far East, harboring a
fleet OF over a thousand ships. Mos
COW fears q japanese preventive
war and Is hardly claimed by Tokyo's
latest sl0gan-"The Russian Far
East belongs to Manchuria." Tokyo
meanwhile has been whipped into a
frenzy by a recent War Ministry
pamphlet painting the Russian devil
on the wall In vivid colors and call
ing on the Japanese people TO arm
Tor the imminent struggle.
Although the japanese statesmen
aren't looking for any more trouble
than they're faced with now, after
the cancellation Of the Washing
ton Treaty, 1t may be forced on
them by the miitarists who see
their chance in Soviet internal
troubles. Many observers are revis-
ing their optimistic and pacific
forecasts.
The Moscow bosses have more
than Japan to worry about, how
YER. The Kirov assassination and the
"~avenging" Red Terror have opened
Pandora's box. A lot of unpleasant
facts on Russia's internal condition
have been let out. The French. Wit
ally interested In Soviet power as
a threat TO Germany, have been
startled. and are beginning to doubt
the effectiveness of the Russian
"steamroller." The Mortified Moscow
diplomatS sc ethat Laval Is more
set than we on a reconciliation
with Germany. in spite Of his prom
ise to Litvinoff that he would not
flirt with Berlin for the present.
The Soviet press is trying to stop
this tendency in Paris by hanging
the Kirov assassination on Berlin
Nazi agents are said to have or
gained the counter revolutionary
plot" to overthrow the Moscow gov
eminent and blast the French Rus
sian entente. It's a good story but
1t doesn't convince Laval-or any
body else.
The official confidential reports
that come to Paris sound fantastic,
even for Russia. The "counter-rev-
olutionary plot" is a myth. Kirov
was shot by a GPU agent. Some
months ago the Party Secretary
Kirov converted the almighty GPU
into a mere "Commissariat of the
Interior" and took away its sutono-
nous absolute power. GPU Chief
Jagoda and his bloody henchmen
saw the handwriting of progressing
Europeanization on the wall. Stall
in was vacillating. The Red Dicta-
tor must be convinced that terror
ism is his only guarantee. Kirov was
his best friend-no victim more
ideal. Jagoda singled out Nicolaev.
a minor GPU agent who hated XII
row for personal reasons, and prom
ised him immunity. Nicolaev did his
Job. but Immunity" turned out to
be a firing squad.
Stain seems convinced. He has
let the GPU completely off the
leash. He has also taken the oppor-
tunity OF his dear friends" death
to launch IN unprecedented cam
Daign. There's nothing like q das-
tardly plot" particularly when
there's a foreign power In II. to
strengthen a dictator-and Stain
needs strengthening. The Soviet
election meetings" have been show
ing rapidly growing discomfort and
reStlessness all over the country. The
GPU has prevented the formation Of
an active opposition. but it's coming.
Insiders aren't fooled by the aboli-
ton OF the bread cards'-apparent-
ly a sign of plenty and q move to-
ward free trade for the farmers. The
Government Is belstadlv appeasinr
the peasants so that sroops quarter
ed in the rural districts may be re-
rroved for active service without
risking a revolution.
That's the French version. and
It's optimistic II ANYTHING.
Australia-Japan has at least one
economic friend In her industrial
expansion program. After Britain
Japan Is Australia's best customer
and the two are moving quietly to-
ward q trade agreement which will
favor interests contrary to those
OF the mother country. The treaty
which will probably be signed In
early summer-will be epoch-raking
in DoTinion history.
Although this will not affect anv
important American interest, IL
may mark the beginning of a more
re9ularized trade era in the Pacific
This VIII be modified presently as
wool from Manchukuo replaces the
Australian product.
Germany-A battle royal has
broken cut between the Catholics
and the nazis in the Saar. Terror
ism Is on the rampage. MANY Nous
Catholics and mont Catholic conser-
vatives have been flocking to the
new Christian Front" "Bsck to
GERMANY. but not Hitler and Pagan
ism" Is the crv. II locked rs though
Hitler would have to make great
concessions to the Vatican to huv
this kew uartv over 70 hfr side The