Evening star., 1943-10-24
Russian Isolation q
World Problem
By O10en L. Scott.
ed States.

VI tO-oItI dJIUl.
For as long as most of the American
people can remember the world confined
Itself to worry over whether the United
States would or would not follow policy
OF isolation. This country came to feel
proprietary interest in the worlds
store OF worry on this particular issue.
1t, therefore, is new experience, even
something of shock, for the United
States to be forced to worry about
whether another nation is or Is not to
be iSolationist
Yet this worry, on the part of high
American officials at least, is very real,
1t grows from sudden realization that
something profound may be happening
III the world as a result of the present
war This profound change involves
what is beginning to look like an i'm
portant Shift of power to Russia, which
involves at the same time some shift Of
power in world affairs away from Great
Britain and the United States 1t is
significant that British and American
officials travel to Moscow to discuss post
war problems rather than having it the
other way around
Russia gives every sign of a determina-
ton TO shape her own policy in the post
war period. She has very definite ideas
about the future of Germany. of Poland
and of the Balkan states Those ideas
do not 90 along with the British-Amer-
lean ideas that contemplate a weak
Germany and minimum of reVolution-
ary change in Poland. the Balkans. italy
and France, The Russians want a
Europe that is oriented toward Moscow
and not toward London or any other
capital. They apparently favor govern
ments that rest upon the laboring class
rather than upon properued classes.
They also have their own ideas about
the future of MauchWia and of Japan.
Soviet Policy Strategic.
Thus Russian isolation. as usually
happens with isolation. is tinged with
imperialism. Russia is prepared 10
capitalize on the reputation for strength
that she is gaining in this war. She is
adding TO that reputation by reiterating
a demand for a second front in Europe
While minimizing the profound effect
that the American British bombing and
the American British operations in Italy
are having on Germany's ability to wage
war in Russia. The nations of Europe
must have the very distinct impression
that Russia, singlehanded, is defeating
the German armies that rest upon the
modified strength Of 100000 900 Euro
peans.
AS q result Of all Of this, high Amer
= 1x
Moscow to try to win the Russians away
from isolation. This time the threat Of
American isolation appears to be of
much less world Importance than the
threat Of Russian isolation. The reason
is that Russia S SoclallStiC system is Or
ganized on the basis of isolation and
might prove an attractive model for
many other nations of Europe The
British and American capitalstic system
Is organized to function in a CO.
operating world and may not appear to
be so attractive model. If it develops
trouble due to American isolation
coupled with Russian isolation.
All these things are in the minds Of
officials here They recognize that
Russia. controlling one-sixth Of the
worlds land surface. with 100 900 900
people, with resources that scarcely are
scratched and with the reputation built
in successful war against Germany,
can exercise q very great influence both
in Europe and Asia That influence, in
fact. may be greater than the Americana
British influence. particularly If the
United States tends to return to isola-
ton, and il it runs into a new depression
in the postwar period
Peace in Cooperation.
The other side of the picture is this:
If basis for cooperation can be found
between the United States. Great Britain
and Russia, then there can be assurance
of long period of world stability and
! peace. That is due TO the fact that
| these three nations will control the
worlds important Warmaking machines.
! After this war only Great Britain and
the United States Will possess ravies of
any Importance. The United States,
/ Britain and Russia Will have the worlds
] only armies of any size or Importance
These three nations viii have tho worlds
three air forces ana the worlds three
aircraft industries Germany VIII be dis
armed and her industry weakened. If
this country and Britain have their way.
Japan will be rendered helpless for MANY
years to come. Italy will be without the
means to make war
In that situation is recognized TO be A
| great opportunity.
Always in the past the idea has been
| accepted that advantage Of this oppor-
| tunity could be taken if only the United
| States would veer from its prewar policy
OF isolation and would take its place as
full partner in world affairs. Ameri-
| cans became accustomed 10 having the
world come with hat in hand to plead
| for American cooperation.
| Now, however, it is Russia whose posi-
ton is most in doubt. There is more
world interest in the Russian attitude
| than in the American. The reason for
that situation is that if this country re-
turns to isolation. Britain always can
seek basis of accord with Russia and
can orient herself in that direction, leav-
ing the United States to fend for itself
in the world. With Russia following a
policy of isolation, tinged with imperial
ism, there is the threat of developments
both in Europe and Asia that can make
the problem of this country and Of
Britain rather difficult
That explains why Moscow, more than
Washington, Is the present center Of