Evening star., 1942-06-13
Giunt Triumvirute

understanding achieved by those
three colossal powers, Britain, Russia
and the United States, the more far
reaching are its implications, both
for the war and postwar periods
Indeed, the foundations of the ulti-
mate peace settlement have thereby
been logically indicated.
1t Is the scope of the diplomatic
agreements arrived at between the
three nations that has given the
greatest degree of satisfaction. That
they would effect closer military CO.
operation under the common imme-
diate menace of Axis aggression had
been foreseen as almost inevitable
But that nations differing so widely
in politics, economics, and outlook
should be able to see eye to eye on
the basic aspects of the postwar
world has surprised many able stu
dents of diplomacy and international
relations. This gratifying result could
have come about only as the prod
uct of genuine understanding and
confidence between the leaders of
the respective peoples. Old antagO-
niSms were dissolved and chronic sus-
picions were allayed in the series of
negotiations which preceded the
happy outcome. For this was no
sudden or improvised arrangement.
Much patient spade work preceded
Foreign CommiSSar Molotov's secret
flights to London and Washington.
The new Anglo-Russian alliance
bears all the earmarks of soundness
and workability, because it appears
to embody the basic interests and
aspirations of both the contracting
parties. As already remarked, the
wartime clauses merely implement
much more effectively the military
alliance which arose spontaneously
the very day after Hitler launched
his surprise attack upon Russia just
a year ago this month. Far more
important are the clauses extending
the alliance for twenty years, and
providing for an agreement Ito work
together In close and friendly COL
laboration after re-establishment of
peace for the organization of security
and economic prosperity in Europe
in accordance with the two
principles of not seeking territorial
aggrandizement for themselves and
of interference in the internal
affairs of other states"
This is indeed an assurance that
the peace settlement will be nego-
tiated along the lines of the Atlantic
Charter, and not according to ira
ditional ideas of power politics. 1t
undoubtedly represents a notable
concession from Russia and it's prev
ious policy of attaining strategic
frontiers" regardless Of the wishes of
border peoples concerned. The same
spirit breatheS in the mutual aid
agreement signed between Russia
and the United States, providing for
reciprocal lease-lend assistance in
winning the war and for co-opera-
tion in practical measures to create
better world hereafter The larger
aim is thus lin safeguarding peace
and security to the freedom loving
peoples after the war"
Unlike the Anglo-RuSsian Treaty,
the RusSo-American understanding,
though less precise and formal, is
not textually restricted to Europe.
Logically, both instruments envisage
peace settlement world wide in
scope. With equal logic, this neces-
sarily includes a constructive and
durable settlement in Asia and the
Pacific. For obvious reasons, Russia
did not wish. at this crucial moment
Of its struggle with the Axis, to raise
the question of the Far East, which
would embroil it with Japan. But
the ultimate implications are clear.
This planetary struggle is strategi-
cally one, and the postwar order is
likewise indivisible Temporary dis
tinctions ultimately will vanish as
the final objective nears.