Evening star., 1943-11-07

are satisfactory 0eSplte Lne 1neVlCaDle
holes which remain and which are con-
sidered by many of the interested small
er European nations as likely to jeop-
ardize their future independence and
territorial integrity
1t is only natural that the representa-
tives OF Poland, Yugoslavia and the
Baltic states should feel somewhat de-
jected. The future of their countries
has not even been mentioned, while the
independence of Austria, which all par
tlclpantS Of the Moscow conference had
cognized-somewhat unwillingly, it is
true-as part Of the Reich, has been
fully recognized.
Establishment of the big Three"
Committee in London to discuss the
political problems which may arise dur
Ing and after the war is considered by
the representatives. of the Eastern and
Southeastern European states, two of
which are active and fighting members
of the United Nations, as potential
menace to their independence.
How well founded their fears are is
difficult to say. 1t all depends on the
attitude of the United States and Britain
and how far the two governments in
tend to go to oppose the admitted "spe-
cial interests of Russia in that area.
Optimism Held Warranted.
From the point of view of winning the
war in Europe as quickly as possible,
there is no question that unless some
1nPYnactoS mil itor
soon, we may look with reasonable de-
gree of optimism to the defeat Of the
Nazis through continued collaboration
among the enemies of the Reich in the
east and the west
II we are interested only in winning
the war, 1t should matter little what the
size OF Poland will be after the war
what form OF government Yugoslavia
will have and whether the three Baltic
states which were deprived of their
sovereignty first by the Russians in 1910
later by the Nazis In 1941, are a part
Of the Soviet Union.
Even the question as to whether Eu-
rope will be completely within the Rus
sian sphere Of influence has become
secondary question. Certainly we are
not going to oppose by force a change
In the pattern of governments from
France to the borders of Russia should
their new leaders so decide, even If the
change is caused directly by the
machination of the Moscow agents.
Like ourselves, Europe must be look
Ing to security and peace. II it can be
achieved by Russia's getting the growl-
Ing and fighting European countries
under its wing and compelling them
to be quiet by her own methods, there
can be no opposition on our part.
A new map Of Europe based on some
claim the Russians have made openlv
may be contrary to some OF our ideol-
ogles and In contradiction to some OF
our pledges to these countries. But In
the long run it may suit the people OF
Europe better than the present system,
which has brought two major and ex-
hausting wars in 80 years.
No Discussion Wanted.
Nothing has been mentioned in Mos
COW, so far as the public knows. about
the future OF those states which border
the Soviet or offer Russia the best ac-
cess TO the warm waters of the Mediter-
ranean 1t is likely that the American
and British representatives. realizing il
was a touchy subject and being chiefly
interested In clinching a definite pledge
from Russia to fight on our side until
victory Is won, never raised these issues
1t is certain that the Soviet leaders do
not want to discuss them. But the fears
OF representatives Of the Polish. Yueo-
slaV and Greek governments in exile
that they are headed for the political
slaughter house appear well founded.
The Soviet government last summer
1elt offended because the Polish govern
ment took seriously the German story
that 10000 Polish officers and prisoners
OF war had been executed In Russia
Whether the anger Of the Russians was
genuine or mere political pretext Is
hard to say. In any event, diplomatic
relations between the two countries
were broken off and new Polish eov-
eminent was established in Moscow and
under its banner Polish units are said
to be fighting with Red armies against
the Nazis.
The Polish government in London Is
willing to discuss some frontier read
Justments In favor Of Russia after the
war. But. above ALL 1t does not want tc
re-enter the country on anybody's coat
tall. 1t Is Jealous of its sovereignty and
does not wish to be confronted after the
war with another government made tc
order in Moscow. There is every indica-
ton that the Polish Committee in Rus
STA has the good will Of the Soviet gov
eminent. And since it is apparent that
the Russians will have the dominant
voice IN the settlement Of postwar Eu-
| rope the Poles fear that their country