Evening star., 1944-02-27

The military operations on the East
ern front will be slowed down in the
next two weeks. The big thaw which
makes Russia huge sea Of mud is ex-
pected to set in between March / and
Is and the ground does not become dry
until around the end of May. Hence a
stalemate can be expected in this period
during which no major battles are likely.
The period of comparative lull will be
welcome to both the Russians and Ger
mans. 1t will allow the Red Army to
take a much-needed rest and by heavy
work bring in supplies to the new lines
from the Caspian and Murmansk areas
The Nazis, on the other hand, will be
able to straighten their lines without
the handicap of fighting during such
operations.
The only real fighting in Europe, then,
is likely to come in Italy; that is, if the
Nazis decide to continue their fight for
Rome.
But while the military operations nee
essarily will be reduced in vehemence,
important political events are develop
ing.
In Washington, the administration
does not wish to see the war develop
into anything but regular military
affair. Many rumors and reports reach
ing the Capital are being discounted
President Roosevelt and Secretary Of
State Hull are convinced that all politi-
tol IN
ond place by the agreements reached at
Moscow and orally confirmed at Te-
heran.
Britain is anxious to preserve her en-
pire. Mr.. Churchill re-emphasized the
desire In a speech in which he said
he was not Britain's Prime Minister
in order to preside at the liquidation
of the British Empire. So long as 1t
appeared that Russias policies were
merely to expel the Nazis from occupied
territories and restore Russias frontiers
without harm to any of her neighbors,
the British government beat the bass
drum for Russia. Relations between the
two empires became somewhat be-
clouded when the Moscow government
indicated clearly that it wanted to ex-
pand far beyond its borders either on
the basis of old territorial lines which
she had renounced two decades ago or
by political and prestige infiltration as in
the case of Czechoslovakia and Yugo-
slavia.
This political infiltration" was made
easier when on February l the Soviet
altered its constitution SO that any
number of states on the borders or near
borders of Russia could join the big
family presided over by Premier Stain
Two PHILOSOPHERS in Reich.
Germany appears aware that the
| suspicious of the British in regard to
| Russia and the suspicious of the Rus
| slams in regard to the British are not
of a temporary or unexpected nature.
Under these circumstances, it appears
that there are now two political
PHILOSOPHERS in the Reich One, headed
bentrop and supported by industrialists,
financiers and intellectuals, seeks to
learn whether there could be any pos
sibility of coming to terms with Britain
by playing up the Russian bugaboo.
These men are relying on the as
surance of German military leaders that
the Western wall is so strong that even
if the Allies break it the losses inflicted
on British manpower will be so great
| that Britain will suffer political defeat
Would Execute Top Nazis.
But while this group is trying to save
Germany from defeat by using such
arguments, there appears to be another
| group formed particularly by the mill
tary men who envision the saving of
the Reich in peace with Russia. Mem
bers of this group go so far as to be
willing to make the Reich into con-
| federation on the pattern of the U. S.
| S. R., execute the 10000 or 10000 top
Nazis as Premier Stain appears to de-
sire and even apply for membership into
the Soviet should it be necessary.
The Free Germany Committee Gre
ated in Moscow last August actually is
the spokesman for these leaders. The
| head of the committee is we'll known
Junker, 1t. Gen. Friedrich Won Seyd-
| litz. He was commanding the ground
troops at Stalingrad under Marshal Won
| Paulus and was taken prisoner when