The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-01-22

In the first place, diplomats
point out that, had the report
been published in Izvestia, it
would have been much more seri-
Gus. Izvestia is the organ of the
Soviet Government, and anything
appearing therein can be consid-
cred the gospel views of the
Kremlin itself.
However, Pravda, organ of the
Communist Party, is one step re-
moved, and anything published in
It'll can be interpreted as close to
but not necessarily representing
the views of Stain.
Thus, it was Pravda which
dropped ton of editorial bricks
on the unSuSpecting, well-fnten-
toned head of Wendell Willkie,
hitherto considered Russia's best
friend. That editorial rebuke
came after Willkie had dis
cussed the Polish boundary
question - in a manner quite
sympathetic to Russia.
However, the Russians chose to
rebuke their best friend as
warning to President Roosevelt
and Secretary Hull that they did
not want the Polish question dis
cuSsed at all - not even by
their friends. They could not
very well come out and rebuke
Hull and Roosevelt, so they chose
prominent American, one step
removed, figuring Hull and Roose-
welt would take the hint.
Again, when Secretary Hull was
en- route to Moscow, Pravda was
singled out to publish the state
ment that the second front was
the only question Russia was 60
ing to discuss with him. This up
set Mr.. Hull so severely that his
friends reported him in a mood
to come home. However, he pro-
ceeded to Moscow and, despite the
planted newspaper reports, his
trip was a genuine success. This
shows that Pravda news items,
even when inspired, should not
be considered too Notwithstanding.
Therefore, remembering that
Russian diplomatic moves are
usually aimed Obliquely at
something on the other side of
the billiard table, here is the
Diplomatic Corps explanation
Of the latest Pravda thrust
against the British.
For about two years, it has
been no secret that the British
have hung back regarding a sec
ond front in Western Europe. 1t
also no secret that, right down to
the Teheran Conference, Churchill
pulled for Balkan front or al
most any other front except a
western front.
1t has also been reported that
Churchill and Stain did not get
along at all well at Teheran, and
that the chief cause of their fric-
ton continued to be the second
front. This is now pretty well
known not only to the diplomats
and leaders in Washington, but
to many people on the outside.
In fact, when the British Prime
Minister babe farewell to Stain,
he is reported t o have said:
Goodbye Marshal. I'll meet you
in Berlin To which Stain is
reported to have replied, with per-
hapS more iron in his voice than
good nature: Eyes, in tank,
and you in a wagOn-Iit." (Eu.
rOpean Pullman carl.
PUTTING BRITISH ON SPOT
Stain is man who never for
gets and, even if no friction had
occurred at Teheran, he would
have continued to be suspicious
about British intentions Of a Sec
ond front, in view of the two
years of second front debate. And
on top of Teheran, plus Churchill's
long stay in Africa, Stains sus-
picions may be boiling again.
Therefore, point out the dip
IOmats, what could be more
adrOit than to put the British
squarely on the spot by subtly
accusing them Of talking to the
Nazis about a separate peace?
In other words, after the Pravda
article, the British now have to
prove they want no sepaFte
peace by pushing ahead with
the second front. If they delay
it, then the Russians can point
to the suspicion no matter
Il.