The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-26

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 What never was known, how ever-because MT. Hull did not unburden himself to Borah-was the nature of the alarming re- ports from Europe, reports which made Hull believe 8 serious Eu- ropean crisis was imminent.
 The Secretary of State has had many reports from his European observers, all pessimistic. But the worst, and probably the one he had in mind during the Borah argument was regarding the con- fidential conversations between the French and British and So- viet Russia.
 These indicate that there will be no alliance between these two groups of powers against Hitler. They even indicate that Stalin Is flirting with der Feuhrer.
 Stalin holds the balance of power in Europe. This is why the war clouds are getting blacker. INSIDE RUSSIAN STORY
 The complete story of the Rus sian French British conversations WIS just obtained by the State Department recently.
 Partially in the dark, the State Department was getting worried about what was going on in Mos- COW. Three months had passed with no results. So they asked one of the interested parties for com- plete fill-in. This is the story, briefly summarized, that came back:
 When the ex-Allies first started conversations with Stalin, all they offered him was security against @ future German attack upon the Ukraine. In return for this they wanted Stalin to pledge the actual and definite use of the Russian army to defend Poland in case of war with Germany.
 Stalin replied that the Ger man threat to the Ukraine was as yet theoretical, and a long way off, If at all. On the other hand, war between Poland and Germany might be just around the corner.
 Therefore, he wanted some- thing more tangible from France and Britain.
 He further pointed out that a German attack on Russia would not come through Poland, but through the Baltic states of Lat via, Lithuania, and Estonia. The armies of these countries, he con- tinued, not only were weak, but the countries were dominated in part by German feudal lords. Therefore Stalin demanded the right to go into the Baltic states with Russian troops in advance of a German attack in order to prepare for 1t, if necessary.
 At this the French and Brit ish threw up their hands. They saw this not as g Russian de- fense measure but as a move to extend the Soviet Union. They figured that If Russian troops ever got into the Baltic states they would never get out.
 So the French and British hedged and counter -hedged, eX- tending over long period.
 STALIN HATES GENERALS
 Meanwhile Hitler's emmissaries were more than busy. They play ed upon Stalins known suspicion of his army. They knew that be- hind the famous purges of the Red Army was Stalin's fear that the generals would become too powerful, would overthrow him and take Russia. Stalin, they also knew, seldom sees the army, al- most never consults with the pres- cut generals. profoundly distrusts them.
 So the Hitler strategists play ed up to Stalin the fact that in any French and British alii- ance. his army would have to go Into immediate action. And this Is the last thing StaIin wants; for q war puts the gen.. erals in the ascendency, might give them the whip hand over him
 On the other hand. the Hitler diplomats pointed out that if Sta- lin cooperated with Germany. all he had to do was remain aloof, sell them food and raw materials, but not risk war in any manner. Hitler, stalin was told. would take the risks and do the actual squeezing of Poland.
 And the final bait nut hnfnre