Evening star., 1943-10-03

me BrOlCn.
from being crushed by the Axis would
froWn on any deal which would deprive
the smaller nations of their sovereignty.
The Americans intensely desire to de-
1eat the enemy and are prepared to go
10 any length to achieve the purpose.
That is why so many are puzzled when
they read or hear of the fights and quar-
rels which exist today within the men,
bership of the United Nations.
The disputes can be classified into two
large groups-the battles in Yugoslavia.
between the "guerrillas" and the Par
tisans' and the conflict between the
Soviet regime and the Polish govern
ment-in-eXile.
An oncer experienced in guerrilla war
fare, Gen. ORA ia MihailoVich, assembled
force after the government of King
Peter fled and has been resisting the
Nazis ever since The Partisans were led
by an army man who had fought with
the Loyalists in Spain under Franco.
Outsiders cannot understand why peO-
pie in the same nation have become 50
divided when opposing common enemy.
The answer must be found IN the fact
that Gen. Mihailovich is representing the
King and the old Yugoslav government
while the Partisan faction is supported
by Moscow.
The situation in regard to Poland is
even more perpleXing. Britain and France
declared war on Germany because Hitler
attacked Poland and wanted to deprive
her of her freedom. This administration
indorsed their stand fully.
The Polish government-in- exile re-
neWed diplomatic relations with Russia
after the Nazi attack on Russia We all
became partners against the Germans.
An incident regarding number of Polish
officers who allegedly had been executed
by the Russians in 1910 caused an open
breach between the Polish and Russian
governments
Reds Break With Poles.
The Poles wanted an investigation and
Moscow considered the Polish govern
ment as hostile because it lent its ears
to the Goebbels paganda. The upshot
was a severence of diplomatic relations
between the two governments.
The Russians have not hesitated 10
make it clear to the Allies that there are
certain sections Of Poland which must be
reattached to the Soviet: they had been
'unjustIy' taken away from Russia after
the last war Whatever the merits Of the
case may be, it will be difficult for the
administration to indorse any arrange
ment whereby the Polish republic be-
comes just a puppet government such as
those of Latyia, Estonia and Lithuania.
Washington observers DO not like to
admit it publicly. but there is no question
that Soviet diplomats are behind the
partlSans as well as the Free Polish gov
ernment which has been organized in
Moscow
The Russians had no intention of Gre
ating an internal division within the
smaller nations or to indorse one spe-
cifc group ideologically, but they merely
wanted to organize. while the war was
going on, groups favorable to the Soviet
point Of view.
Poland i'll her sphere of influence
would provide Russia with an important
spearhead in Central Europe, while a
Federation Of Yugoslav states and a
Greece and Bulgaria accepting the Russ
ian influence would give the Soviets con-
troll over the Eastern Mediterranean
that is TO say, access to the warm waters
Of that sea.
There is no plausible reason why this
country should oppose any of Russia 5
plans for the future, so long as the ma
tlonS which Russia may desire to bring
into her fold weld their sovereignity on
their own volition. We are not fighting
the war to. impose on the world our DO
Itlcal philosophy.
Much Criticism Arises
Democracy has many faces. Our par
ticular brand is our own and no one here
wishes to force it on the European or
Aslatic nations. But it is hardly con-
ceiVable that our government can con-
sent, even under yelled threats. to any
kind of agreement regarding the future
OF these sovereign states.
There has been a good deal of criticism
IN the last few months from certain
section OF the press and many intellec-
tuais because the administration has no.
smoothed out its relations with Russia.
The implication is that President Roose-