Evening star., 1939-09-30
Russo-German Move
Renews Hopes Of
Italy for Peace
Tendency to Discount
Allies Firm Stond
Reported in Rome
By WALTER DURANTY.


ROME, Sept. 80 N.A.N.A).-The
Russo German pact caused no great
surprise in Rome. where the view
already had been voiced that the
previous line of demarcation was of
only temporary character In Vati-
can circles it is now hoped that
an ethnic Polish state will be formed
west of the new line where Catholic
freedom of worship will be allowed
despite political subservience to Ger
many.
It is noted, however, that the Rus
sions still hold. the line of the
rivers, except for a brief interval
between Krystnopol and Rawarusca,
as we'll as control of the Rumanian
and Hungarian frontiers, which con-
firms the previous opinion that the
Russians have driven hard bargain
with their German friends"
This theory is strengthened by the
Russo-Estonian agreement, with its
startling reference to Soviet pro-
lection against attack or menace of
attack by great power across Let
tish territory. 1t will be remem-
bered that this is precisely the point
on which the Anglo-Soviet nego-
tiations diverged and perhaps &C
tually broke. The Russians con-
sistently believed in the possibility
of what they called covert" ag-
gression by Germany in Estonia-
that is, a possibility that Estonia,
as a result of an internal putsch
or external pressure, might permit
or invite German intervention,
against which the Soviet wished to
guarantee the country, willy-nilly.
Soviet Determination.
The right to have naval bases on
the islands of Dagoe and Oesel was
also mentioned and refused by the
British, and that it has now been OBJ
tanned, together with the port OF
Paldiski, clearly indicates Soviet de-
termination to safeguard the Gulf OF
Finland against German action.
Paldiski is not ice-free, but could
easily be kept open by the powerful
Russian icebreakers.
References to peace arouse salts
faction in Rome, but no undue op-
timism, although there is tendency
to discount the vigorous Franco
British disclaimer of the Russo-Ger-
man attempt to hold them reSpon-
Sible for continuance of hoStllltles
as natural reaction which does not
necessarily preclude the possibility
of settlement. There is also an in
clination to discount the Russo-Ger-
man declaration about consultation
over "the necessary measures to be
taken if war continues" as sop to
Germany which fails to disguise the
fact that Russia is playing her own
hand and showing little confidence
in German protestations of amity
and mutual interest.
On the other hand, the reference
to a peace effort lin accord with
other friendly powers" revives Italian
hopes in a general 11th-hour at
tempt ito make France and Britain
see reason" as it is expressed here.
New Balance of Power.
Well-informed persons have met
here incline to the long view that
peace on the present status quo basis
is not merely feasible, but an excel
lent thing for Europe because it
would provide new balance of pow
er between the U. S. S. r. and Ger
many, which would not be unwel-
come to France and Britain, not to
mention Italy.
In short, speaking generally Rome
Is by no means dissatisfied with the
present European lineup, in which
1t persists in considering Soviet re-
emergence as a great western power
as more important factor than
the actual state of hostilities be-
tween Germany and the allies. To
practical, clear Italian reasoning, it
IS literally incomprehensible that
France and Britain would be so
obstinate" as to continue the war
In patiently unfavorable conditions
at least for several months-now
that Hitler's own act has replaced a
hostile Poland with far more re-
doubtable neighbor. Last night, for
the first time, had the impression
that Romes hopes of peace are de-
cidedly more concrete than mere
wishful thinking.