Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-13
Germany Is Reported
Trying 10 End Soviet
Hold on Two Seas
Reich-Russiun Relations
Declared Topic Of
Grips London Talks
BY DREW MIDDLETON,

Associated PreSS fOrelen correspondent.
LON D o N. June 13.-British
dreams of a Russian-German dis
agreement bordering on active war
fare were nourished today by re-
peated but uncomfortable reports
that Berlin's demands on Russia
were of such a magnitude that ac-
CeptanCe would loosen Moscow S
military hold on the Baltic and
Black Seas.
Informed quarters said discus
sions between Sir Stafford Cripps,
British Ambassador to Moscow. and
government leaders here were "pri-
marily concerned with Russian
German relations"
1t must be emphasized that re-
ports of disagreement between Ber-
lin and Moscow and NaZi concen-
trations on the Soviet border con-
ceivably fit into the pattern of the
British diplomatic nerve war. BY
soaring Russia, it is hoped here. the
U. S. S. r. may be forced into more
friendly relations with Britain and
eventual collaboration in the war.
Demands Reported Studied.
Reliable sources said demands
made by the Germans had been
received in Moscow and were under
study.
Sir Stafford reached London by
air from the Soviet capital Wednes-
day for what was described as a
trip in line with Britain's policy of
having her ENJOYS report period
ically and to establish contact with
the home government.
1T is understood in we'll
informed Helsinki quarters that
Germany has enlarged certain
far-reaching demands on Russia,
a dispatch from the Finnish cap
ital said.
The telephone connection
through Germany to Bern. SWitZ-
erland. was cut as the dispatch
was being relayed from Finland,
and the remainder was not re-
ceived)
Speculation on Demands.
Speculation in London Centered
about the nature Of the alleged Ger
man demands on Russia and on
British desires to pull the situation
into prominence
One Interpretation is that the
reported German threat fits the
British diplomatic offensive seeking
Russian collabora ton with the Al
lies, 1t was reasoned that promi-
hence given the reports might we'll
push Russia toward Britain and
away from GERMANY
Then Britain might keep Sir
Stafford in London. it was specu-
lated, until the crucial moment
when he would return to Moscow
bearing British offers of friendship.
Reports of new German demands
on Russia have circulated for several
weeks in foreign capitals in this
order-Vichy, Ankara, London, and
now Helsinki. Finland.
The first report emanating from
Vichy, capital of French govern
ment determined to collaborate with
Germany, was to the effect that
Germany needed the vast Russian
Ukraine wheat resources to aid in
feeding Europe, and particularly to
feed Spain should the Nazi army
decide to strike through that i'm
poverished country to attack Brit
1sh Gibraltar.
Then, week ago. another Vichy
story said Adolf Hitler and Joseph
Stain in a secret meeting had ar
ranged for the Ukraine to serve as
Europe's breadbasket in new and
extensive Eurafrican collaboration
scheme.
The trip by Gen Maxine Wey-
sand, French North African COM
mander. and other French colonial
heads. to Vichy for cabinet confer
ences were said to hinge upon that
angle of German-French collabora-
ton as we'll as defense of Syria now
being invaded by British and Free
French troops.
In Ankara, Turkey, foreign sources
exchanged stories the same day that
German and Rumanian troops were
massing for an attack on Russia,
probably this month.