Evening star., 1942-03-08
Realism of Russian War Policy
Regarded as a Pattern for U.S..
America, Always Idealistic, Finds Itself Engaged
in Quest for Power Without Admitting
1t or Preparing for It,
BY FeHr Morley.


play In which heroic American volun-
teers were depicted as aiding Finland
to resist Russian attack allegedly di-
rected by the German general staff.
Such memories should help us to avoid
current emotional orgies which may
seem just as meaningless two years
hence.
AS Tolstoy pointed out, the most un-
changing factor in the political kaleido-
scope of modern history Is the consist
ency with which Russia has solidif1ed the
huge area and unified the various races
within its orbit
CzariSm gives way to Communism and
the attack of French Emperor is sue
ceeded after more than century by that
of a German dictator. But across the
chapters of history Russia reacts in much
the same way. Seldom blatantly ag-
gressive, this great nation nevertheless
remains profoundly influential in world
affairs.
And Russian policy, perhaps because
OF the national leaning toward intro
spection. Is always coldly realistic Prior
to the Napoleonic invasion Gear Alexan-
der I maintained an alliance with
France, wholly Indifferent to the sharp
remarks passed in England about his
assistance to the "Corsican ogre" Prior
to Hitler's invasion Stain was in alliance
with Nazi Germany, always expecting
the worst, but gaining time and ter
ritory for strategic purposes.
Russia an Ally by Convenience.
Today Russia is still on good terms
with Japan, and will doubtless continue
so unless it appears to the unmistakable
advantage of Moscow to be otherwise.
To speak of Russia as one of the
United Nations" is therefore to substi-
tute rhetoric for reality AS was made
clear by Stain in his Red Army day ad-
dress, Russia regards herself as a free
agent, allied with Great Britain and the
United States for purposes Of conven-
ience. To relieve German military pres
sure as Ambassador Litvinoff suggested
in his speech in New York on February
26, Russia would welcome an Anglo
American offensive in Western Europe.
But in return for such action Russia
promises nothing
AS the United States girds itself for
war on an unprecedented scale, it will De
well if We acquire something OF the cool
realism, and something Of the historical!
approach to present problems, which
characterizes Russian leadership Only
thus can We be sure Of avoiding bitter
disillusionment as the war evolves its
dynamic course.
Americans are an idealistic people, and
there is no question that idealism, sharp
ly focused against the practices of ag-
greSsor nations, is one of the factors
which made us belligerent. But ideal
ism, expressed in such distractions as
the -four freedoms" is not the only act
uating factor.
U. S. in Quest for Power.
This Nation, like others, is also en-
gagged in the quest for power regarded by
Tolstoy as the real motive force behind
all modern war. Indeed, we admit as
much when we refer to the future in
such terms as The American Century"
In war, as in all other human under
taklngs, confusion arises when motives
are not clarified and when objectives are,
in consequence, ill-defned. That confu-
sion led to disaster after the last war
and this time it may be even more fatal,
for the simple reason that the sacrifices
demanded from the public are going to
be incomparably greater.
1t would, therefore. seem appropriate
that our leaders should stop talking gen.
eralities, should state fatty how far we
desire at the moment to extend our ma
tional power and should admit frankly
that in working for this goal old policies
such as the antipathy to "entangling
alliances have to be sharply mod
flied. If we are going to win the war, we
shall have to define what we mean by
winning it, then hew to the line In that
direction.
Germany. Russia and Japan have all
waged war successfully because the OBJ
jectives of their leaders have been made
clear to their people, who desire the pow
er promised them. Great Britain and the
United States are waging war unsuccess-
fully, not because of inferior strength but
because of a stultifying lack Of precision
in their stated purpose.