Evening star., 1943-11-14
Utter Nazi Defeat in Russia
May Alter Allied Strategy
By Constantine Broom.

say which Interpretation in correct un.
til after the war when the public is told
what actually happened in the Moscow
conference.
The official story related in the re-
leased statements and agreements is be-
lieved to contain barely so per cent Of
what has actually happened in Moscow.
1t is an old diplomatic custom, which
is being followed now as in the past to
give the public only palatable informa-
tion and reveal as seldom as possible
the basis on which agreements were es-
tablished. The diplomatic give and
take" comes out usually after the agree
ments have lost their Importance.
However, regardless of what horse
trading may have been done in Moscow
and the Russians have weu-estab-
lished reputation as skillful horse trad
ers-it is evident that Marshal Stains
official voices have changed their tune.
There is no longer the pressing demand
for trans-Channel offensive we have
seen in the past. The Russian official
organs are no longer demanding an i'm
mediate attack against Western Europe.
They are reconciled to wait until we
have completed our preparations.
But Stain last week voiced his con-
Wction that pending an attack against
western Europe a new front might be
opened in the near future. He did not
specify whether the Russians themselves
a rrniy, f% Il -
-ish-American forces will do it or whether
Russo-American British army will
undertake joint offensive.
Since Stain has decided to make this
revelation it is likely some new strategy
was discussed in Moscow. The only area
where it is possible for the three armies
either individually or jointly to operate
is the Balkans, from the Adriatic Sea to
Turkey. 1t is not impossible that the
Allied strategy should have veered from
frontal attack against Germany to an
attack through the Balkans ecross the
Danube and the Carpathian Mountains.
Such joint movement appears feasible
on paper at least-and would bring
the United Nations forces into the rear
OF the Reich. OF course, such a military
operation has the seeds of a complicated
political situation because it means that
Turkey will have to be brought into the
picture and the centuries-old question
of Russia obtaining access to the Medi-
. terranean will have to be solved in favor
of Russia
1t appears that many more questions
than those published in the agreements
signed in Moscow have been discussed
In the Soviet conference hall If the
decision to move against Germany
through the Balkans, in spite of the
communications difficulties, was tenta-
lively agreed on at the three-power par.
ley, there is no doubt that many other
political matters which are not now
revealed must have been discussed and
also must have been tentatively settled
in favor of our ally in the east.
Important to Britain.
President Roosevelt and Prime Minis.
ter Churchill are conversant with what
happened in Moscow. They may still
lack some of the details which Secre-
tary Hull and Foreign Secretary Eden
will be able to give their chief at the
prospective meeting.
The matters which will be on the
agenda of the two leaders are probably
much more important than anything
they have had to discuss together In
the past. For Britain in particular it is
not merely a question of whether she
should use her manpower in one theater
of operations instead of another, but it
is question of whether she had better
give up centuries-old policy of prevent
ing Russia from reaching the Mediter-
ranean. 1t Is also question whether
she will have to abandon her old policy
of balance of power in Europe and adopt
whole-heartedly the internationl Coop
Grafton program which has been drafted
and approved in Moscow.
For us the political question is less
important. We have never seen any
reason why Russia should not have an
exit to the Mediterranean or the Indian
Ocean; neither have we ever favored the
balance-of-power policies. But the mil
itary angle of an eventual change in
American and British strategic plans is
OF utmost Importance. We have another
major war on our hands in the Pacific
and every delay in Europe will retard
the support needed by Gen. Macarthur
to put into effect his plans in regard to
the Japanese.
At this time campaign in the Bal
kans means greatly extended lines Of
communication for our transports which
must take supplies and men to the
other end of the Mediterranean. It also
means that the cross Channel campaign
will Be indefinitely delayed.