The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-04-06
Russian Policy
Nv JOSEPH C. HARSCH

The western world is, naturally and prop
erly, 30 sensitive to Russian behavior toward
all the small nations bordering on it, or within
the orbit OF its influence, that we have made
a check on how things are going. Here is
the result:
Norway: The Norwegians have one COM
plant against the Russians. 1t is that their
armies have not gone farther into Norway
They report scrupulous Russian respect for
Norwegian sovereignty and scrupulous observ'
ance OF the terms of the Russian-N gian
agreement drawn up before Russian armies
entered that country. :.
Finland: Latest returns on the Finnish cleo
tons show the Russian-sponsored People S
Democratic Union with a small edge over
the formerly predominant Social Democrats
and therefore the largest single minority, but
still very much minority controlling about
Is per cent of the votes in Parliament. What
has been watched most closely is Moscow re-
action. Would it express satisfaction-or dis
pleasure over not receiving more? The first
reaction has been Moscow radio broadcasts
hailing the outcome as IAN important stage
in the evolution OF a truly democratic regime
Poland: The British and American Ambas
sailors in Moscow have held a number o.
conferences with Russian Foreign Minister
Molotov over the composition Of the new Pc
lish Government agreed to at Yalta. Very
sharp differences Of Interpretation have de-
veloped over what does constitute new ano
representative polish Government. No agree
ment is in sight at the moment and it i.
doubtful that Polish Government will be SCI
up in time for the San Francisco Conference
which would be satisfactory to all three big
Powers. The Russians are driving a hare
bargain, but the American and British posi-
tons are being maintained stoutly.
Romania: The new Russian-sponsored Gov
eminent is strengthening its domestic position
rapidly. while the American and British pro
tests over what they consider to be the mon
representative character of that Government
have led to slow and as yet unproductive di
plomatic exchanges The Russians have no
agreed yet to the setting up of q special com
mittee to handle the matter. The handing O.
Pennsylvania over to Romania just after the
new Groza Government was set up is no
Objectionable in western eyes per sc. That steI
was provided in the armistice terms and i
was left for Russia to choose the moment
However, there remains continuing effor
to put representatives of the large Peasan
Party into the Government.
Yugoslavia The new compromise Toto-Su
basic Government is getting under way. Ar
American diplomatic mission is moving il
and a foreign press corps is being set up
Progresss is considered satisfactory to date
bulgaria: IhlS country is now So 1di peIlIlC
the fighting front that an early transition tt
more independent status for its Government
is being urged So far, there Is little to report
Turkey: The Russian notice OF Reputation
of the 1925 Russo Turkish treaty did not, con
trary to some reports, come as any surprise
or disappointment in Washington The Rus
slams served notice, in good time and accord
ing to the provisions of the old treaty, OF de-
sire and intention to negotiate a better one
The old one belonged to period when Russia
had few speaking acquaintance and When nc
new general security system was being forg
ed. BY the formal reputation the way is clear
ed for a new treaty after the San francisco
Conference which will fit into the new scheme
Of things. When the time comes to talk terms
the Russians may ask for things which the
Turks, and others, will consider excessive
But to anticipate such "a development is to
anticipate the kind of trouble which was Sc
freely predicted over Norway and Finland
and which has not yet materialized. Certainly,
Washington is calm and entirely undlsturbed
by what has happened so far. The question OF
improved Russian access to the Dardanelles
is implicit in the negotiation of the Turkish
treaty, but the use of the Straits is controlled
by the Montreux convention, which is valid
until 1915. General international discussions
must precede any change
Conclusions; If any are in order it would
seem to be that Russia is looking out for its
interests theoretically and driving some hard
bargains. But there is hardly an emerging
pattern to Justify the frightened assumptions
of many at every Russian move. = Christian
Science Monitor.