The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-03-10
CAT AND MOUSE GAME

Still playing the cat and mouse
game OF watchful waiting. jockey
ing for position and hoping for the
best, Soviet Russia delivers an i'm
piled warning to the United States
that it may be compelled to develop
closer relations with Germany and
Japan as the result OF this govern
ment's refusal 10 approve the ship
ment OF American machine tools 10
Russia. The diplomatic hint 10 this
effect has been conveyed 10 Under
secretary of State Sumner Welles
by Soviet Ambassador Constantine
Oumansky.
Moscow's position is that if the
United States is unwilling TO make
some sacrifice for improved rela-
lions with the Soviet Union, Russia
will have no alternative but TO seek
closer relations with those coun
tries prepared TO engage in mutual
ly advantageous deals.
The Soviet government feels that
granting OF Russias machine tool
requirements In this country, which
constitute about three per cent OF
American production. would repre-
sent a small price TO pay for Soviet
friendship in world affairs at this
time. Moscow furthermore feels
that the United States, in failing TO
grant the requested economic con-
cessions, is making the same mis-
take Great Britain made in 1889
haW fyrd oil 80 DNNs taVa
demands led TO the Russo-German
pact that plunged Europe into war.
American officials, however. are
not unduly concerned about the
Soviet warning that Russia may
draw closer TO the Axis powers be-
cause OF this country's refusal to
grant the requested concessions.
They believe Moscow will do what.
ever II considers in its best inter
ests regardless OF whether this gov
eminent grants it economic conces-
slons or not.
-t}a4s-seE eminent
feels that Americas need for ma
chine tools, which is one OF the
bottlenecks OF the defense indus
try, is far too great to risk making
any sacrifices TO the Soviets in the
hope they will act as a check on
Germany and Japan
The American government no
longer is disposed to place any
faith in the promises OF the dicta-
tors, whether they happen TO be Of
the Mari, Fascist or Communist
blend. In its future relations with
Soviet Russia, this government
intends to follow exactly the same
realistic policy it believes Moscow
is following; that is TO protect its
own interests.
Moreover, American officials are
inclined TO believe that Moscow at
present is given to over-estimating
its importance as a world power.
AS long as the French army re-
manned a threat to Germany in
western Europe, Russia was a po-
tential menace to Germany and
Japan. With the collapse Of France,
howsYer, the shoe now is on the
other foot. In fact, as William C..
Bullitt, former ambassador to
France, said in a speech in New
York. Stain is believed to be
"quaking in the Kremlin' because
OF Russia's weakness.
With The French army crushed
and the British army driven back to
England, a formidable portion OF
the German army is free to move
against Russia at any time. For
this reason. Moscow will play a
very cautious game in relation 10
both Germany and Japan.
II is to be regretted that Russo
American relations are entering
period OF decided diplomatic cool
ness. but in the long run Moscow
cannot help but respect the United
States for following a realistic poli-
cy1a policy which Stain would no
doubt follow were he in the same
position.