Evening star., 1938-01-17
By JOHN T. WHITAKER,

CHICAGO Daily News Correspondent.
MOSCOW,-As the Communists
celebrate the 20th year OF their revolu-
ton Russian foreign policy is being
quietly altered. Comrade Litvinof is
going to try isolation for while.
First the Russians co-operated with
Germany. Then came the pact with
France and entry into the League Of
Nations. Lip service will still be paid
the League, Of course, but Russia has
now decided to put her faith in the
Red Army and keep her powder dry.
I asked the men who direct foreign
affairs in Moscow if this third funda-
mental phase had not been forced
upon them by the anti-Comintern
pact: II the alliance of Japan, Ger
many and italy had not. in fact, al
ready isolated Russia so that she was
making a virtue Of necessity.
The Communists say no. Japan.
Germany and Italy were already land
hungry powers who glorified war as an
instrument OF their expansionist am
bitions. Manchuria, Ethiopia. Spain
and Shanghai are all more grievous
blows against the Soviet Union than
an anti-Comintern pact Why? Be-
cause Russia is a satisfied and pacifist
power and because any aggression any,
where Is a blow to all status quo coun-
tries.
Japan Threatens Democracies Most.
The anti-Comintern pact operates
more against democracy than against
Communism, the Russians argue 1t
Is not Russia, but the United StateA
Great Britain and France who are
being driven out Of the Far East by
Japan. 1t is not Russia, but Britain
and France who will already have
lost the next world war" II the Fascist
invaders succeed in Spain. 1t is not
Russia, but British communications
which were cut by the conquest of
Ethiopia. It is not Russia, but Britain
and France who will be weakened most
II Germany takes over Austria and
C2echosiovakia. 1t is not the Russian
but the British and French publics,
IN short. which accept Fascist agrees
sions not as power politics, but as
measures Of defense against COM
n1,lnism.
Moscow's point Of view is best
rhrased by Lloyd George. a foe Of
Moscow. "Mussolini is not fighting
against the reds in SPAIN" Lloyd
George told the Commons. Then,
facing the governmental bench. he
added, "Mussolini is fighting against
the yellows." And Moscow, too. is q
little disillusioned at the quality of
Craftsmanship with which Britain and
France are confronting the Fascists.
France. Britain Are Weak Alone.
Great Britain and France must
make vital decision" an important
Russian told me. They must ca
pitulate to Germany or they must
strengthen themselves by co-operat-
ing with us. There are no other al
ternatives. While America remains
isolated Britain and France alone are
not strong enough to deal with the
alliance Of Germany, Japan and
Italy"
This is the explanation the Rus
SLAMS offer OF the new isolationist
phase OF their foreign policy. The
Russians are tired of being the inter-
national whipping boy. If Russia is
willing to stand against a Fascist
eggresions, as in Spain, where she
sent down airplanes. tanks and about
1000 men, the issue is Immediately
confused as an theological struggle,
and Britain and France Immediately
run for cover under the guise O. nom
Intervention, the Russians argue.
How will the >isolationist tendency
operate? The most pertinent example
Is . German attack on CzechSlovakia.
Russia is allied with the Czechs and
engaged to defend them against any
country defined as an aggressor by the