Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-09
Difficult Political Problems
ToFaceEuropeA After War
Small Nations Set Up in 1919 Are Expected to
Demand Their independence When
Peace Is Attained
BY Constantine Br0wn.

in effect it guaranteed the European
nations their full freedom. War-ridden
Europe had full confidence in the word
of the United States.
But after our entrance into the war
we were faced with a military problem
which forced political ideals into the
background We had to win the war
and we had to win it quickly in Europe
in order to apply the whole weight of
our military power against Japan.
Russia was our principal ace in the
hole to defeat the Nazis. And Russia
knew it.
Firm on Some Points.
Premier Stain was willing to COM
promise on certain matters which af-
fected the American public. He an
nounced the dissolution of the Third In
ternationale and also gave more freedom
to the practice of the Christian religion
than ever before. These matters had
become inconsequential in Russia. But
so far as it is known here Stain never
swerved one inch from his idea that
what belongs to Russia must be given
her.
The Soviet Premier refuses to concede
that the question of the Baltic states is
one to be decided by anybody but Rus
STA. The same attitude applies toward
Poland. His strong point is that
he knows that neither the United States
nor Britain will care to challenge him.
The official explanation of why he must
have these territories is that he does
not desire to see another Gordon SAM
taire" established on the borders of Rus
STA and does not want his country mem
aced by Germany again.
On the surface the arguments of the
Russians appear sound. The only
fallacy OF their reasoning is that we
are all determined not to repeat the
mistakes of 1919. Even if we were to
give up the unconditional surrender"
slogan the Allies will see that all the
military teeth of Germany are pulled
out this time. 1t is inconceivable to
imagine that after the war Germany
again will be in position to become
a strong military power Several gen.
cover her military strength.
Under the circumstances, Russia's
argument that strategic boundaries are
essential to her security hold no water.
Once Germany is rendered powerless
militarily no single nation or combina-
ton of nations in Europe can challenge
Russia again. Britain, the Soviets only
potential opponent in the distant flu
ture, will not be in position to create
a coalition of small European states
against Russia.
But those who know Europe intimately
venture to predict that in the event the
border states of Russia are absorbed
either directly or indirectly by the So
Wet the result will be a chain of rebel
lions, revolutions, civil war and unrest.
Create Reaction.
With puppet governments whenever
necessary, the Soviet military power may
be able to keep these various countries
in order for while. But the reconstruc-
ton of Europe on a peaceful basis, which
interests us principally, will not take
place. Bayonets have never been con-
ducive to peace anywhere in the world;
they create reaction which is never
healthy.
The problem for the United States and
Europe is much greater than appears on
the surface. For the time being we are
all intent on defeating Hitler and Hitler
ism and are willing to take it for granted
that once Hitlerism is crushed there will
be little to worry about.
The question, SO far as this country
is concerned, is whether We want to de-
feat Hitler and pull out of Europe imme-
diately thereafter or whether we feel
that We must have a hand in the res
toration of Europe after military victory
has been attained.
II our only object is to defeat the Axis
and remove our forces at once, it can
matter little to us if Europe continues
to be a wasp's nest. But even the
stancheSt iSolationistS of the pre-Pearl
Harbor days cannot say that we are in
Europe only to do a military job. 1t is
uncomfortable that close as we are to
that continent we can in the future
show complete lack of interest in its
fate. Whether we want it or not, we
shall be forced into Europes troubles,
and while policy in isolation may have
been conceivable in 1889 it is not con-
ceivable today.
U. S. vitality Interested.
Under these circumstances the adj
ministration is aware that the postwar
settlement of Europe is vital to the peace
and reorganization in the United States.
An embittared, fighting, growing Eu-
rope after the disappearance of Fascism
(See PRORI EMS paae Cal