Evening star., 1941-03-06

true that when 1t looked like the
Firms would hold the Russians on
the Karelian Isthmus indefinitely
the Germans aided the Russians
with officers, pilots and weaponsp
EDWIN CARON,
Chicago, Ill.
A. The Russians cracked the
Mannerheim line in the last two
weeks in February, 1910. and by the
time peace was signed March 13
they had broken through its main
defense. Those of us who were
correspondents in Finland heard
rumors that some German pilots
were with the Russians. I never
heard of anyone, however, who OBJ
tanned any confirmation Of this re-
port, and personally doubt that the
Russians had any active military
aid from Germany.
@. In view of the complete don1i-
nation of Russia by the Communist
party, who could manage to succeed
in q revolution in Russia?
EMIL CARSON,
Chicago, Ill.
A. At the present moment there
is no reason to believe that any
one could manage TO stage a sue
cessful revolution in Russia. A die
tatorship like that of the Stalinists
cannot be successfully overthrown
iya fI1n of
strain imposed by a war with
foreign powers, or as a result OF a
Soviet defeat in such a war with
the inevitably chaotic conditions
that would Immediately follow. This,
of course, is one very big reason
why Stain is dedicated to keeping
Russia neutral and to avoid war as
long as he possibly can.
Q. For what reason, in your opin-
ion, did Russia wish to overrun Fin
land? Was it merely a show of
supposed strength?
DR.. JACK STERN.
Chicago, Ill.
A. Russia wished to conquer all
of Finland for several reasons. Fore
most, should say, in order to obtain
a strategic position across the north
ern shores of the Baltic and to
greatly improve the Soviet's defenses
against Germany. Secondly, the
Kremlin had its eye on the rich iron
mines in Northern Sweden. If they
could have occupied all Finland they
could have invaded that part of
Sweden and cut off all iron ore ship
ments to Germany very swiftly
something which would have been a
severe blow against Hitler's contin-
uance of the war.
@. How do you explain your state
ment that Stain fears to make any
move that may displease Hitler, with
your admission that the occupation
of the Baltic states, part of Poland
and Bessarabia by Russia caused
anxiety and alarm in Berlin?
j. VOGEL,
Chicago, Ill.
A. What Stain fears is making
any move that may provoke direct
clash with Nal Germany. In order
to purchase Russia's neutrality just
before the war began, Hitler nego-
tiated the Berlin Moscow pact. AS
a price he had to give the Soviets
free hand in the Baltic States,
Eastern Poland and perhaps m re-
gard to Bessarabia. Possibly Hitler
did not expect the Red Army to
occupy these places quite as rapidly
as they did. More likely he was
reconciled to gaining time in the
East while his hands were free in
the West. But when the Soviets be-
gan to fortify their extended from
tiers and showed tendency to push
further into Rumania, Berlin was
naturally concerned. When that
time came Berline reacted energeti-
cally.
@. If the United States gave the
aid to Britain that she asks, and if
in giving this aid we weakened our
own defense, what assurance would
we have that England would not
sell us out if given the chance to
make a deal with the axis?
D. w. HITCHINGS,
Garfield, Ohio.
A. The Greatest guaranty that we
have that Britain will not sell us out
is this: Britain cannot possibly sell
us out without selling out her own
freedom and independence and her
whole position as first-class power
in the world. For nearly nine
months now the British government
and people have demonstrated very
clearly that they have no intention
of resigning themselves to ''Vichy"
status. If the American Govern
ment wants written guarantees from
Britain that she will not make a
deal with the axis I do not doubt
that Washington can get them
provided we are willing to give
equally important pledges that we
will deliver the tools with which
Britain can fight regardless of the
risk involved. Of course, no gov
ernment can ask guarantees from
another without being willing to do
some guaranteeing of their own. 1t
looks to me like that is question
the American people will have to
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