The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-18

tenant coloneis departure no one
in the War Department could
provide the daily quotation on the
Russian ruble.
Berle voIuntec red, never told
anyone that he dug up the
ruble quotations from the New
York Times, so later was taken
TO Paris as chief Of the Russian
Division Of the American dele
CATION.
Ever since, Berle has been an
expert on Russia, and as such he
has been (until recent weeks) an
out-and out Russian opponent.
The State Departments Rus
sian policy always was based
upon the old, last war thesis Of
building up q series Of buffel
states against Russia. Chief
architect Of this policy was Berle,
and 1t is toward him that Secre-
tary Hull usually has turned dur
ing lengthy round table State
Department conferences when the
question swung to Russia.
It was Berle who took . hand
in stopping the shipment Of oil
refining machinery 70 Russia in
the fall Of 1871 after the Pres
hent had approved.
Gen. James Burns, on July %,
1871, had submitted q list Of COM
modities which were to move to
Russia, and the President signed
q chit on July Is which ordered
that these materials must be
gotten through by tonight"
BERLE VS.. FDR
Nevertheless, three months later
Berle took the lead in 0 State
Department conference which
held up the shipment Of these oil
refineries on the ground that they
were needed at home. Eventually
the Russians got their refineries,
but q year late. BY that time
they were embittered by the de-
lay and extremely suspicious Of
the State Department and Berle.
Another thing which has
irked the Russians Is the man.
ner I'm which BerIe and other
anti Russian advisers around
Hull have given passports to
enemies Of Russia, while their
own ambassador, officially ac-
credited to the Exiled Govern
mems, was kept cooling his
heels In London, not permitted
to confer with the Free French
In North Africa.
Among others, Berle and his
friends gave q visa to ex-Finance
Minister Matuzewsh OF Poland,
listed by the Russians as one Of
three Polish leaders responsible
for forcing a break Of diplomatic
relations. Yet Matuzewski not
only was given q passport to enter
the q. s. A., but now contributes
articles to the Polish American
daily Novy SWAT violently at
lacking Russia.
When certain French demo-
Gratis entered this country they
were warned by the State De-
partment to be careful what they
said in print. But not the Soviet
hater Matuzewski.
Naturally the Russians read the
newspapers, and this rankles.
They also are familiar with
Berries friendly cooperation with
the Russian leader T. .ibor
Eckhardt Of Hungary who re-
ceived q diplomatic passport from
the state Department to enter
this country. Eckhardt was even
gilven a letter by Berle's ONCE
stating that his activities fare
fully known to this department
and have been worked ont In close
cooperation with u.s."
RUSSIAN SUSPICIOUS
since Eckhardt showed the let
ter to many people, the Russians
naturally heard about Il, and 1t
made the Uneven more suspicious.
But when Sumner Welles heard
about Il, he wrote another letter
denying that II. .ckhardt had any
connection with the State De-
partgaent.
Suspected as q part Of the plan
Of buffer states against Russia,
was the entry Of Milan Media, the
eloVak leader who opposed the
Russian policy Of President
Benes. The state Department
gave uodza q passport without
sven conssslslng the oseehoslovak
Embassy,
Supplementary this vas . cen
veEnatlon between neFie and owl
representatives last wlnieF 81
witch time he claimed the mile
laFN situation wna Glalematea and
aid Tao only way ~ end fna var
Was tHEnsh iniaEuaf KR'afsea
s. 4K'1 lI'|El