The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-11-15
Russia, the Enigma

and Great Britain, but it is doubtful it these
nations are any nearer complete understanding
of Russia's aims now than before the present
conflict. chiefly, we should say, because of
the many contradictions eminating from Mos
COW. .The contradiction which Soviet Russia
seems to represent in many Western eyes has
seldom been so graphically expressed as dur
ing the last few days." says Joseph c. Harsch
writing from Washington in the Christian
Science Monitor.
MIR. Harsch's further comment IS more lib
eral than many persons will believe Jusu1laoIe'
but it is to be remembered that he is an i'm
partial commentator, and his writings therefore
carry more weight than if they expressed par
TALLY of prejudice. Explaining his statement
as quoted above, he writes:
The contradiction w h C h Soviet Russia
seems to represent in many Western eyes has
seldom been so graphically expressed as dur
ing the past few days.
ION the one hand Marshal Stain made
speech which was superb statement OF the
cause of international peace and security and
the first completely unqualified tribute he has
ever paid to the war effort of his allies 1t was
the speech of world figure preaching to his
own people precisely the course which his
Allies would like to see Russia pursue.
against this were series OF acts or ges-
lures from Moscow which seemed to express
an attitude towards the outside world which
~. %N ha
tory or cooperative. They were.
81. Refusal to participate in the Information
al Aviation Conference in Chicago on h e
grounds that Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland
had been invited.
90 foreign Office reprimand to Switzer-
land for daring to suggest its readiness to open
diplomatic relations with Russia.
SO. Atpress reference to what is a fact
that American troops are in Iran without any
treaty sanction from the 1ranian Government
as distinct from Russian and British troops who
are there under treaties
'Is there reconciliation between these ap-
parently contradictory faces of Russian beha-
vior?
'In searching for an explanation. it must be
noted to begin with that under examination
none OF these three instances Of apparent bel
| ligerency are quite alarming or puzzling
as would appear on the surface.
ION the Aviation Conference, Moscow point
ed out in belated self defense that the Ameri-
can Government had not invited Argentina to
the conference, Argentina being the one impor-
tant neutral country with which America is not
in friendly relations. Why, Moscow asks, should
Americas dislikes be recognized on the invita-
ton list and Russia's dislikes be ignored? It's a
good point but it is somewhat weakened by
hardness and the fact that if it had been made
in advance, and privately, Washington would
have been happy to adjust the list
THE Swiss incident has plausible, harm.
less explanation as a Russian declaration OF
independence from it's prewar role of outcast
at the international table. For Is years it was
recognized or not recognized, at the whim
of others, large and small. 1t was expected to
receive crumbs of recognition when others
chose to donate, but not to ask or question.
This is a very different world and Russia is
a very different country today. It may well
have seized on the Swiss suggestion of rela
tons to assert its new prestige and to give
notice that from now on it expects to be treated
with the Difference additionally accorded tt
Great Powers, not as the international pariak
Of the world. Switzerland was an unfortunate
choice, considering its sturdy record OF resis
tance to Nazi Germany, but it remains highly
questionable whether the incident has any deep
er significanc than this
| 'As for the Iran incident, it was scarcely
suitable for Moscow to refer as it did tt
American troops whose only purpose in Irar
was to move American supplies to Russia II
diplomatic circles, however, it is suggested
that this was carelessness rather than malice
Moscow had made demands on the Iraniar
Government which had not been kindly receiv
ed The reference could have been madadroi
sef-defense intended to excuse Russia's ow,
appearance of interfering in Iranian affairs
There is a further general explanation be
} hind all this. The course which Marshal Stali1
preached is in fact revolutionary one TO-
Russia. His subordinates have been trained To-
generation to believe that all the outsid,
world is unfriendly. Behavior does not chang
. overnight, even in authoritarian State. Under
: lings continue to behave according to the onl,
pattern OF conduct they know.
In other words, it is suggested thesa nuz