The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-07-12

come Wnen ana II CreaI bIlIaul 10
knocked out of the war.
Russia Is not convinced that Ger
many and Italy will quickly defeat
Britain. But she is taking no
chances and hopes to strengthen her
self sufficiently SO that whatever
happens, wherever the war may
spread, she will be strong enough to
stand aloof.
Never have the Russians been
more tight-lipped, never has the
Russian censorship and the restric-
ton on movements of foreigners
been more stringent.
Talked With Everybody.
The observations in this uncen-
sored dispatch are based on talks
with diplomats, Russian officials,
travellers and neutral observers long
resident in Russia. They are based
on what I saw and heard in nearly
a months journey from jittery
Stockholm, across the Baltic States
where I watched endless streams Of
Russian tanks and troop columns
moving in, stay in Moscow where
Germans and Russians eye each
other with obvious suspicion and
hostility, and the long journey across
the trans-Siberian where saw train
after train Of military supplies and
big guns.
Here are some Of the standout
points of the information I collect
ed:
INTERNAL SITUATION
I had several opportunities to talk
privately with Russians but they
made no open expression Of dissat-
isfaction with the regime. The usual
attitude was that when the war
emergency is over civilians will bene-
At from the great resources now be-
ing concentrated on defense.
Private citizens are naturally in
convenienced by the convention of
all energies on defense. The Mos
COW housing situation, always bad,
is growing worse. Army demands for
steel and concrete are so great hiatt
even work ON certain public build
ingS has been suspended.
There Is a shortage Of all kinds
of consumers goods and the short
age is growing. Basic foods like
bread, potatoes, meat, sugar and tea
are plentiful but there is otable
lack of vegetables and fruits.
From Moscow to Vladivostock-
more than 5000 miles-the only
well dressed people I saw were SOL
diers and sailors. The average per-
son wears drab, old clothing.
But the Russians saw looked
healthy and agreed that living con-
ditionS were better than few years
back.
THE BALTIC STATES
The move into the Baltic States
was reflex Of Russia's surprise
and shock at the quick collapse OF
France and fears that the war might
suddenly end. The French defeat
was not expected by the average
Russian or-from the few hints that
have filtered out-by the Soviet rul-
ers.
The Baltic move also may have
been intended to forestall Germany.
For a month before the Soviet act
ed. German sources In Stockholm
had circulated anti-Russian propa-
ganda. Reports were current that
Germany might offer a military al
lace to Sweden, Finland and the
Baltic States in case of a Soviet
ultimatum.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY
Despite their official correctness,
I saw and heard of many instances
Of hostility and suspicion.
The Moscow hotels are TANNED
with trade delegations, many OF
them German. They are closely
supervised. The Germans are al
lowed nowhere except under Off
cial surveillance. The Germans l
talked with made no secret OF their
hostility toward the Russians. One
German told me he had been ar
rested and held for several days
when he tried to make an unau-
thorized trip in the Leningrad re-
gion. This, of course, would prob
ably happen to anyone as Lenin-
grad Is an important military base.
Relations With Britain
The British appear to be making
a major effort to win Soviet friend
ship. Relations between the New
British ambassador, Sir Stafford
Grips, and Premier v. M. Molotov
are said to be very cordial.
The British bid for Soviet friend
ship may explain to some extent
Russian activity in the Balkans and
Near East. 1t was reported that
the British had assured Russia of a
free hand in the Balkans and prom
ised support of any changes Russia
made there.
The British were also said to have
told Russia that they did not con-
slider Turkey bound any longer by
the Allied treaty. With these as
surances the Soviet was said to be
well advanced in negotiations for a
new Russo urkish-B Bulgarian Black
Sea accord.
Such an accord was said to be
viewed by the British as erecting
barrier to any German attempt to
thrust down the Bagdad Line toward
the Mesopotamian oil fields.
FAR EAST
The Soviet is strengthening its
position In the Far East. I noted
4 tremendous movement OF traffic
on the Siberian railroad. ]
counted the number OF freight trains
we passed and as nearly as could
estimate we must have passed one
every 20 minutes or SO all the way
10 Vladiyostok.
A second dispatch tomorrow, Sat-
urday, describes the Soviet Unions
elaborate precautions against war
on her eastern borders.
PAIR ARRESTED