Evening star., 1939-11-09
Why Russia Backs
Germany in War
Writer Outlines History
Of Conflict for
Spheres of Control
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Last night picked up paper and
read "The profound similarities between
the Nazi regime in Germany and the
Communist regime in Russia have long
been noted by students of political
forms" True, it is fact not disputed by
students of political science, but even
without this marked similarity in the
ideologies of the two governments one
does not have to delve SO very far into
the past to see why Russia did not join
Great Britain and France in this con-
troversy, nor even to see that what Rus
sia really wants is long war that will
leave all participants Frustrated, while
she as sentimental and pseudo ally of
Germany grows stronger every day of
the conflict.
For at least Is years before 1907, when
Russia and Great Britain came to an
agreement over countries In the Near
East-an agreement which made them
allies in the World War-there had been
almost continual clash of Russian and
British imperialism in the Near East.
There was their clash over Persia. It
started, on the surface, over money. The
English Baron Julius de Reuter- organ
lied the Bank of Persia to lend money
to Persia to finance her mining indus
try. Russia saw what this would lead
to, and soon thereafter the Russian min
istry of finance organized a rival bank
OF loans, and for time there was keen
competition between Russia and Great
Britain to see who could lend the Shah
of Persia the most money. At the time
Russia was herself borrowing from
France, which ought to be pretty con-
elusive proof that there was an Interior
motive back Of her financial venture in
Persia. 1t was, Of course. to gain po-
litical influence which in turn would
lead to material concessions. And it
finally did result In a concession to
Russia to build railway from the Rus
sian border to Teheran, as we'll as
further concessions for oil and coal.
strong strategic position in Persia to pro-
tect 1ndla-just as she is today So for
time Russia and Great Britain went
round and round over Persia, and while
England was having her trouble with
the Beers Russia almost got the upper
hand in the Near East-especially in
Afghanistan, Tibet and Persia. One of
the Russian warships even tried to seize
a port on the Persian Gulf for coal
depot But of course it did not take
Great Britain long to finish with the
Beers and be free to train her political
guns on Russia. The result was her dec
laratlon that she would resist Russia
as well as any other power who might
attempt to establish naval base in the
gulf And in 1908 Great Britain even
went so far as to send her warships to
convince the natives of Persia that it
was to their interest to recognize the
supremacy of the British. During that
same period there was trouble between
Russia and Great Britain over Afghan
lstan and Tibet, and it was when Russia
was being worried by Japan that the
British sent Col. Younghusband into
Tibet, his army fighting its way to Lhasa
where treaty was virtually forced on
Tibet by the terms of which Tibet must
open up more trade martS, pay an in
demnlty to cover the cost of Young
husbands invasion, and promise that no
other power would be allowed to ex-
ert its influence in Tibet-that is, secure
concessions for railways, roads, mining,
or even lease any Tibetan territory with
out the consent of Great Britain.
AS for Afghanistan, Russia with her
trans-Caspian railway had connected the
Caspian Sea with Samarkand and Merv,
and had ventured as far as the border
OF Afghanistan, with the hope that while
Great Britain was occupied with African
problems she Russia) could extend that
railway through Afghanistan to India.
Then, as now, England drew closer
to France, and through the aid of
France, an ally of Russia, she settled her
differences with Russia for the time be-
ing without war. No doubt this was also
due partially to Russia's recent en-
counter with Japan, close friend of
England. At any rate, with Isvolsky
directing Russia's foreign policy their
differences were patched up in 1907, and
Persias integrity was preserved" by
dividing her into three spheres of in
fuenoe. It was agreed that Russia was
to supervise the northern zone, Persia
would have almost free hand in the
middle sphere, and Great Britain was
to have the concessions in the south
eastern part of the country. This did
prevent war between Russia and Eng
land, and left Germany out in the cold.
For before Great Britain and Russia had
gotten together, Germany and Russia
had been trying to strike bargain over
Persia. e., Russia was to let Germany
go ahead with her Berlin to- -Bagdad
railway, if Germany would recognize
Russia's rights" in Persia.
Thus it was that Great Britain, Russia
and France all started on the same side
in the World War. The story of Rus
sia'S revolution during the war is an
old one, as well as the fact that she
emerged sans influence in any part of
the globe, deserted and ostracized by
the allies. But what happened between
France and Russia when Russia was in
the throes of that revolution is not too
often brought to light. In 1920 when
the Red Army of Russia invaded the
newly Poland, the latter turned
to France, and France gave Poland as