Evening star., 1944-02-13
Soviet Constitution Overhaul
Closely Studied for Portents
Effect on Relations of Border States With New
Setup of Semi.independent Republics
Being Weighed by Experts
By Constantine Brown,

trouble later. King Peters government
took the hint. The Russians also drop
ped the negotiations. but Immediately
began to support the Partisan movement
directed by Marshal Josip Broz (Tito).
The Yugoslavs eventually found them.
selves in difncult position. Tito an.
nounced oficially that Peter had been
dethroned and declared the government
in exile lnexistent. The British and
American governments after the Mos
COW conference decided to support the
Russian request in regard to the South
eastern European kingdom and began to
provide Tito with the necessary lease
lend materials. Peters government
realized its mistake and attempted to
placate the Russians by suggesting .
treaty in which the Kremlin could write
its own check. But 1t was too late. Lon
don believes that the fate of Yugoslavia
already had been sealed and while no
immediate developments must now be
expected, the former kingdom eventually
will become the 18th autonomous state
in the United Soviet Republics.
There can be an unlimited extension
OF the borders of the u S. S. r., accord
ing to diplomatic observers under the
new elastic and expedient Soviet con.
stitution. There can be little, if any,
question that as soon as the situation
permits, Bulgaria will join the u S. S. r.
and Rumania will come into the same
union If Moscow believes that 1t is WORTH
while adding that country to the rest Of
the family Of eastern and southeastern
nations.
But what worried the British even
more than the expansion of the Soviet
boundary lines, by this democratic"
method, in Europe is the possibility Of
the Russian family of nations expanding
in the east
Agree on Iran.
A definite agreement has been reached
at Moscow and Teheran in respect to
the future status of Iran. Britain and
Russia solemnly agreed to preserve the
independence of Iran which has been
the most important highway through
which Russia received lease lend mate
rial from America and Britain In rec
ognition of these services Russia agreed
to promise Trans independence and
Britain. which is interested principally
in the Persian Gulf, indorsed 1t enthu-
siastically.
But nothing was said about Iran
eventually joining the Russian family Of
nations. At that time there was no
question Of any change in the Soviet
constitution which would open the gate
to all near and distant neighbors to en-
ter into the Soviet commonwealth.
There has been a political rivalry
between Britain and Russia in regard to
Iran for almost . century. The inde-
pendence OF the country was preserved
merely because neither rival dared do
anything drastic for fear of causing .
war. No Russian statesman until Pre-.
mier Stain ever thought of finding an
elegant formula" for gobbing up .
neighbor under the guise of making him
partner. Now that the constitution Of
Russia has been revamped, Iran, II
sumciently pressing arguments are ex-
ercised, can join the other independent"
republics which form the new U. S. s.
R. This deduction can be pushed even
further to extend even to Afghanistan,
which Is the buffer state between India
and the Middle East.
Would Aid Expansion.
According to reports from London,
many political men in England today
are losing sleep over the fact that
regardless of how quickly the Alliea
win victory in Europe, Russia's boun.
daries might soon be extended by the
simple process Of nominally changing
the constitution.
On the surface the addition of new
states to the existing Is republics which
form the Union of Soviet republics can.
not be interpreted as a conquest and
thus be opposed by the rest of the
nations which have united in condem.
nation OF territorial extension by force
OF arms. Not even plebiscites are neces-
sary. A certain amount of strong moral
persuasion can bring into the Soviet all
the nations which are needed to make
Russia the dominant power in Europe
and Asia.
The administration in Washington IA
lnpassive for the time being. 1t takes
the view that the defeat of Hitler is q
paramount matter on which the future
OF this country depends entirely. Hence,
any false move which could be inter-
preted in Moscow as opposing the Soviet
plans might delay if not jeopardizs
altogether our victory plans.
British Views Differ.
There are some clear indications that
this point OF view is not fully shared by
the British. They regard the Grand
Councils decision to change the consti-
tution-an operation which required
only four and one-half hours and passed
by the 1000 delegates unanimously-as
an attempt by the Soviet leaders to
disrupt permanently the balance Of
power in Europe. which is as strong in
the mind of the British people as 1t
has been for many a generation.
The indirect hints from Moscow that
Britain could add Western European
nations to her present commonwealth,
as suggested by Marshal Jan Christian
Smuts, and thus extend her influence in
other spheres while the United States
could devote all her energies to- tho
consolidation of the Western Hemisphere
IN similar move are received with little
enthusiasm by the British.
Britain is an empire which snreads