Evening star., 1941-04-20
BY HENRY CASSIDY.

MOSCoW tCOTTeSpOnQeIlCe OF tllc
Associated Press The average
Russian is sure that sooner or later
he will have to fight.
Throughout year and a half Of
general European war, the Soviet
policy toward this conflict has been
one Of neutrality and prepared
ness, and there are no surface in
dications of an early change.
But underneath the surface is a
current which the Russian feels
eventually will catch him.
That is the consensus of a num-
Der Of serious. qualified foreign OBJ
servers who have had the occasion
to talk to many Russians.
The Russians do not talk freely.
In fact, they tell this joke about
themselves, which illustrates their
reticence:
-Four men. the story goes, were
riding in a tcain. The first one
yawned. Another said, "Da" (yes>.
The third said, Dada" The
fourth Immediately said: IF you
don't stop talking politics. III re-
port you to the NKVD (the state
police)."
Nevertheless, Russians do discuss
the war seriously among themselves
in the privacy of their homes and
sometimes with foreigners who have
won their confidence, especially
since the uneasy Gays of the purge
have ended.
Four Reasons for Belief.
There are four apparent reasons
for their belief in the inevitability
of war:
l. They feel that the governments
program OF constant mobilization
and military reorganization means
that Russia is getting ready for
something. A.. &c. :,
2. They hear repeated warnings
In speeches, newspaper articles and
broadcaSts to watch out for for
feign enemies" and capita list. en-
circlement" in this expanding sec
ond world imperialist war"
8. They see evidence of their
country's growing concern over war
IN communicates referring to the
Balkans and Turkey.
4. They remember-particularly
the older seneration-that they
fought in the last war on the side
Of the Allies.
Inere was a time in this war
when the Russian thought he would
have to fight against the Allies
1hat was during the Russian Fin
nlsh War after Russia entered into
coilaooration with Germany and
when the British and French were
reported planning to send an ex-
pedltionary force to aid the Firms
Communism Not Yet Achieved.
Peace with Finland and the COL
lapse of France changed that.
Now the Russian doesn't know
when or how he may have to fight,
but he is convinced that the time
will come.
The other thought which UNDER
lies the life of the average Russian is
the much-vaunted transition from
Socialism to Communism
The Soviet regime acknowledges
that after % years of power it has
not reached its goal and that Russia
has not yet achieved thorough
ing Communism.
The present socialist system is
described as from each according
to his ability, and to each accord
ing to his labor"
The future Communist system is
described as from each according
to his ability, to each according to
his needs"
To reach that goal, however, the
regime first demanded an "abund.
ance of production" and the major
Soviet effort-apart from military
preparedness-has been directed to-
ward that end.
Stalin's Precepts Are Guide.
Industrial production and politi-
cal aims-which often are merely
vague distractions to workers of
other countries-are living realities
to the Russian, who has them
drummed into him daily by the
press and radio at home, by fore
men at work, by lecturers at clubs
and even by actors in the theater.
In general, four commandments
of Josef Stain govern everyday
life here.
They were handed down before
war started-in his report to the
18th congress of the Communist
party, March 10, l939-but they
remain today as a guide.
They were:
81. Continue policy of peace and
strengthening business relations
with all countries.
%. Be cautious and not allow our
country to be drawn into conflicts
by warmongers who are accustomed
tn have others null chestnuts out