Imperial Valley press., 1944-02-10
SCHOCLMASTER STALIN
(Christian Science Monitor)

Washington and London silk-glove
diplomatic circles are offering hall a
dozen explanations of Moscows current
mailed-fist diplomacy. which might make
us overlook the likelihood that Russia
has larger general purpose. There is
more than a little evidence that Joseph
Stain feels Britain and America-includ-
ing the State Department and Whitehall
have not vet awakened to the full mean
ing of Russia's new place in the world.
The kremlin'S latest moves may we'll be
intended as primary course in an edu-
cational process.
OF course the new Mootov plan for Civ
ing each of the sixteen Soviet Republics
its own army and diplomatic represen-
tatives has many possibilities. 1t could
be motivated chiefly by the entrance of
the Red army into EStonia and desire
to find a polite way of reaSserting Rus
sian control there and in other border
states. But Moscow seldom bothers
about politeness.
1t could be an answer to new demo-
cratic movements within Russia. But
we must own to some SkepticiSm on that
point.
1t could be convenient method for
bringing the Balkan States. and partlcu-
larly the Slavic countries, definitely into
the Russian orbit. But Russia has hith-
erto opposed federation in Europe.
1t could be-what British and Amerl
can diplomatic comment seems to make
it-a maneuver to give Russia prepon-
derant representation in any peace or
ganization. But the plan is nearly as
far from effective establishment as Is
a genuine world peace system and worry
about it might we'll wait on more lmml-
nent prospect of such establishment.
Further discussion of these possibii
ties will be useful. But it is worth not
ing that all of them point to the new
position of Russia and the ways in which
Russian Influence may be extended IN
Europe. Moscow may feel that discussion
of these possibilities, even somewhat lrri-
tated discussion, will be educational.
There is definitely risk of alternating
American and British opinion.
Russia apparently is prepared to take
that risk. It is more ready than any of
the Allies to rely on itself and probably
is convinced that in the end it will have
to depend chiefly on, its own strength.
Moscow may be profoundly dissatisfied
with the results of Teheran., The British
and American people do not know what
Mr.. Churchill and Mr.. Roosevelt prom
sed or how we'll they are fulfilling agree
ments with Stain.
There has been repeated evidence that
Russia distrusts the elements in the
State Department which have supported
Franco, Darlan, Badoglio, Mihailovic,
George of Greece, and Otto Hapsburg.
These elements were not removed by
the recent REORGANIZATION of the State
Department The coincident charge by
Izvestia, official Soviet mouthpiece, that
the Pope is prO-Fascist has more than Il
coincidental relation. to clerical influ-
ences on British-American policy in
Europe.
Whatever the other purposes of re-
cent Russian moves, there is reason to
believe that Joseph Stain is playing
schoolmaster and telling the British and
American peoples some home truths
about the new face of politics in Europe
that even their diplomats have not yet
comprehended.
If someone could just educate their
families that thev (neuropsychiatric SOL
diers) are no different from the busi-
nessman who has a severe nervous break
down in peacetime, it would take off that
stigma, that wrong label of being mental
ases.-Army nurse Lieut.. Helen NJ.
Fleming.
Pv r WILLIAMS