Evening star., 1939-11-01
Small Aid for Reich
Seen From Russia,
Playing Lone Hand
StoIin, in Foct, Is Soid
To Picture Hitler as
Potent;ol Enemy
BY PERTINAx.


PARIS, Nov. MA.N.A.)~-For
three weeks, Chancellor Hitler has
been negotiating In Moscow to se-
cure the enforcement OF the Ribben-
trop-Molotof declaration Of Sep
tember 40 concerning European
peace.
The value of the declaration was
It's embodiment Of q promise on the
part Of the Soviet government to
stand by the side Of Germany II
France and Great Britain were Vi
cious enough to reject the German
proposals for the reconstruction of
the continent. Those proposals were
given concrete shape In the speech
delivered by Hitler October 6.
We have reached the first Of No
vember, and In Premier Molotoh8
speech yesterday nothing can be de-
tected to indicate the aox1at Unions
resolve to redeem its pledteand lend
the Nazi Reich an economic and
military assistance 80 extensive as to
dishearten the western powers and
make them give up the light.
As explained by Moloto6, Russian
policy can be defined as follows:
Firstly, to remain free to act accord
ing to circumstances; seeondly, un-
til further notice, to observe an at
titude Of neutrality; thirdly, not to
spare an effort to bring the present
war to q speedy end.
Not Very Convincing.
The last assertion does not sound
very convincing. It is true that
Molotoff's enunciation Of Soviet
Russia's foreign policy has been cou-
pied with shower Of abuse directed
against the French and British gov
ernments. But it Is more difficult
for us to interpret 1t rs . sincere
outburst Of q deep-seated feeling.
For nearly five years we have had
to listen to 80 many denunciations
Of Nazi methods by the official
mouthpice OF the Russian ruler that
the change hardly impresses us 'ex-
cept as piece Of clever diplomatic
opportunism.
Molotoff says that the German
Russian friendship will last forever.
Instinctively, we add: Yes, it will
last as long as the parasite finds
something to eat at the banquet
table.
Anyhow today, Hitler Is fully en-
lightened as to what he can expect
from the Russian partner. Three
weeks ago the German newspapers
announced he was going to the west
ern front, and all the military prep
arations Of the German high COM
mand which could be observed from
our side pointed to impending mill
tary operations on wide scale. But
everything has been left in suspense
by the Fuehrer in the hope that q
gesture by his Russian partner might
enable him to via q peace consonant
with his ambitions without having
to fight. Hitler wanted to have his
chance in that respect. Now he is
in q position to estimate correctly
the value Of Russian payments for
the huge territorial advantages she
has obtained from him. He will get
only occasional and limited support.
And 1t can be added that he has
no reason to draw more comfort to-
day from Italy's behavior.
Stain Stin Calls Hitler Foe.
I can contribute this additional in
formation. In the course Of the
lengthy talks he had With Lith-
uania's foreign minister three weeks
ago Josef Stain never stopped de-
nouncing Germany Is the potential
enemy Of the Soviet Empire and Of
the tiny Republic of Lthuania.
To sum up, Molotoff's speech hard
" allows any doubt to obtain longer
as to Russia's determination to play
. lone hand and part from co-opera-
ton with Germany as soon rs the
profits accruing to her from Hitler's
policy will, to her Judgment, have
been exhausted. \
However, In Moloton's speech, two
points deserve TO- be emphasized
which go long way toward confirm
the view that Soviet Russia enter
tains imperialistiG schemes Of her
own. One of them concerns Finland
and the other Turkey.
The words directed toward the
government of Helsinki are dis
tinctly threatening. We still hope
that some compromise will be
patched up, but enough has been
said to convince neutral govern
ments, not only Of the Scandinavian
area, but Of the whole Oslo group,
including Holland and Belgium,
that, in the present circumstances,
they cannot profess indifference to
the issue Of the present struggle.
Holland especially, which lately did
not show any eagerness to provide
for active defense Of her territory
In case Of need, ought to pay heed
TO that warning.
Russia May Yet Be Won.
But for Germany's action, Fin
lands plight would not have been
possible. Russia's expansionist policy
Is . by-product of Hitlerian con-
quest. Europe bids fair to be ruled
by violence as long as the Hitlerian
empire survives.
AS TO turkey, q V1vlo nghC is
thrown upon the wise decision that
Foreign Minister Saracoglu took
when he refused to have the Black
Sea transformed into q Soviet lake.
Turkey may need the help Of the
Anglo-French fleet to uphold in
Eastern Europe the balance Of power
required by her national interests.
But, as long as Russia does not ex->
plicitly make common cause with
Germany, some kind Of settlement
with her must not be despaired Of.
Soda is now being recovered from
Lake Magadi In Kenya Colony. \