Evening star., 1943-11-21
Spread of Russian Influence
In Postwar Europe Forecast
By Constantine Br0wu.

donls and republics which have been in
the democratic camp since 1889. We saw
one document whereby Austria, which
was occupied by Nazi military force in
1889 and compelled to hold plebiscite
indorsing her union with the Reich, was
again considered an independent state.
The State Department had oflcially
recognized the obliteration Of that small
country. 1t is only just that this recog-
milton should now be withdrawn and
Austria re-created. But there are three
Baltic republics which suffered the same
fate in 1910.
Unfortunately, our present associate,
Russia, was involved in the disappear
ance OF Lituania, Latvia and Estonia.
Their representatives are still ofiicially
recognized by the United States. Moth
ing was said about their future except
that some time ago the Moscow press
pointed out that they were as much
a part of the Soviet as California or
Alaska is a part of the United States.
We do not know of the postwar plans
for Poland and Yugoslavia, two minor
Allies who have been subjected to violent
aggression-one from Russia and Ger
many, the other from Germany and
Italy and their satellites.
Territorially they may not have TO
suffer much. Poland may not even
resent small territorial amputation,
But politically we see beyond a shadow
of doubt that they may be swallowed
in the Russian orbit. There is a Polish
government in Moscow. 1t is in full
theological sympathy with the Moscow
government which created 1t. There
is little doubt that since the Russians
will reach Poland long before ourselves,
the Polish government at Moscow will
be given preference to the Polish gov
ernment-ln-exile in London.
Moscow Favors Tito.
In Yugoslavia the newly created Conn
munlst force, the Partisans commanded
by veteran Communist revolutionary,
Drug Tito, is believed slated to become
the guiding force of the future Yugo-
slav state, whatever that may be-
Moscow regards as traitor Gen.
Draja Mihailovich, the representative
of the King of Yugoslavia who decided
to accept hopeless fight against the
Nazis merely because he had received
formal assurances from President Roose-
velt that he risked only a temporary
defeat and that his country would bs
reinStated after the defeat of the Nazis.
The Yugoslavsin-exile read in this a
very definite sign that when the Nazis
rrI1Shni tho rp1itico1 tot 81
their country will be directed from Mos
cow and will be intrusted to the same
men who are now fighting King Peter
legions.
Reports from London now reaching
washington say that among the ques-
tions discussed at Moscow was what
might be done to give Russia access to
the warm seas of the Mediterranean
and that in all probability the question
of the straits-the connecting link be-
tween the Mediterranean and the Black
Sea-has been settled in a manner
pleasing to the Soviet.
1t is only proper that Russia should
have an outlet to the Mediterranean.
She may even make a satisfactory ar
rangement with Britain regarding her
access to the Indian Ocean through the
Persian Gulf.
Pressure on De GaulIe.
The Moscow agreements have resulted
in tremendous increase in Russia's
prestige throughout Europe. The Com
munists, representing the French under
ground, are now attempting to dictate
to Gen. Charles De GaulIe the policies
he must follow. Their demands, which
at present are confined principally to
obtaining for one of their ranks the vital
post of commissioner for propaganda at
Algiers, will soon become more exacting.
Either Gen. De Gaulle will have to 20
along with his Communists or he will
have to suffer the fate of his colleague,
Gen. Henri Giraud. And Gen. Do
Gaulle is too smart politician to stick
his neck out. He is bound to recognize
the supreme authority of Moscow either
now or after France has been liberated.
So great has the prestige of Russia
become that any early ending OF the
WARMTH an allied victory-would
make it probable that very large part
of Europe from Pas-de-Calais to the
(see RUSSIA, Page C-3)