Evening star., 1943-10-20

ny tI ICtHlStdllCcS DAVio Lawrence.
that should never be permitted to
exist between partners in a ma jor
war.
For some reasons not explained
here the Russian government has
remained aloof from the United
States. There has not been that
frank and intimate interchange of
information between the two gov
ernments that the American people
would like to see prevail among
allies. American military observers
have long been denied an oppor-
tunity to see German troops in
action against the Russians, and it
was Admiral STANDBY, American
Ambassador to Russia, who COM
planned publicly that news of what
America was supplying Russia by
lease-lend was being withheld from
the Russian people.
A few days ago President Roose-
welt had occasion to defend the
Russian policy Of neutrality as be-
tween the United Nations and
Japan. He pointed out that Siberian
bases could not be furnished now
without involving Russia in war
with Japan and that it was not to
the advantage Of the Allies to see
Russia embroiled on two fronts.
Allies Belittled.
This is a fortnight defense of the
Russian attitude, but no such frank
ness has come out of Russia with
respect to the equally good reasons
why there has been delay in OPEN
Ing the so-called second front In
Western Europe. One would suspect
from the officially controlled Rus
sian press that the United Nations
did not want to open a second front
and that Russia had to appeal to
the public opinion Of the world to
bring about that step.
All this comment has been con-
tinued even after President Roose-
welt announced in a public speech
that the landings for the ajor in
vasions OF Europe had been decided
upon but that the time, of course,
would not be prematurely an
nounced. II Russia and Britain and
the United States were intimate
friends and trusted each other there
would be in the hands of the Russian
military staff today exact knowledge
concerning Allied plans for the sec
ond front. Likewise, If there were
an intimate exchange the Russians
would be aware OF the enormous
damage being done to NaI factories
and production by American bomb
ers.
There has been instead in Russian
quarters tendency to belittle the
Allied achievements in North Africa
and the Mediterranean and to harp
on the familiar theme that the Rus
slams are fighting the war alone
This Is not conducive to friendship
or mutual understanding.
Only few days ago, moreover
American airmen abroad were
quoted as wondering where the
Russian air force was when the
Americans were in need OF support
In their bombardment OF Baltic
ports. 1t Is precisely points like
these which produce embarrsss-
ments, and they never would arise
II the Russian and Anglo American
commanders were permitted to have
complete confidence In each other
Problems Are Not Simple.
The American people have the
greatest admiration for the Russian
people and especially for the great
sacrifices they have made in this
war. But the American people never
have and never will take kindly to
totalitarian governments which
manipulate public opinion and hide
the truth by means OF an oficially
controlled press
The opportunity is available for
the building Of lasting friendship
between Russia and the United
States. All of1icial or unoficial en-
voys who have returned from Rus
sia speak in the highest terms OF
the Russian people and their mag
nificent performance in this war
Russia is power, moreover, with
major interests on the Pacific Ocean
There is every reason for intimate
friendship with us because Alaska
and Siberia are so close together
geographically.
Americans are interested in Rus
sias postwar aims. The problems
are by no means simple nor can
they be solved by accepting Russia S
territorial ambitions as absolute
II there Is TO be peace in the post
war world for any length of time
1t is essential that the needs OF all
nations be given consideration
small as we'll as large. America
cannot afford to be allied with any
nation that assumes the traditional
position that to the victor belong
all the spoils without consideration
OF what are the seeds that breed
more wars. Such a course compels
all governments involuntarily to re-
tain vast armaments under back.
breaking financial burdens.
Secretary Hull and Foreign Sec-
Setary Eden have a mammoth task
and the prayers of all thoughtful
Americans should be with them In
their delicate mission.
Decentralization Risht. n....v.J>