Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-08-19
Small Nations Are Restless
Under Domination by Reds
Love of Liberty in Poland and Balkans Expected
to Assert Itself in Time as Doubts Grow
Over Moscow.F ostered Leaders
Bv Constantine Br0vn


The American fighting forces, the
American inventive genius and the un-
believable power of production of this
country have made victory possible.
No one in Washington wishes to
minimize the role of the other mem
bers of the huge coalition in the final
triumph in Europe. The European coun-
tries have lost everything at which their
people had worked for many years and
the flower of Europe's youth has been
destroyed. But their sacrifices would
have been in vain had not America
come to the rescue not only with I'M
told millions of dollars worth of pro-
duction, but also with its fresh and
enthusiastic armed forces.
And this is the time to take stock of
what has been gained out of this con-
flagration. The picture of Europe in
August, 1945, is not inspiring. Most of
it is in chaotic condition. Germany
is down and out and likely to add to
the existing chaos. Italy is equally dev-
astated and likely to be plunged into
an internal strife in the near future.
The other satellites of the Axis-Ro-
mania, Bulgaria and Hungary-have al
ready lost their sovereignty. They have
national governments" but these have
been carefully selected by the Moscow
rulers and it is no longer a diplomatic
secret that henceforth they belong in
the Russian sphere of influence. And
this Is not-as in the past history of
Impoverished to certain economic
and political obeyence to the wishes of
the protecting country. Russian in
f1uence means that the leaders will
make their respective countries follow
ers of Russia's political, social and
economic philosophy.
Others Under Russian Domination.
Besides these Axis satellites, num-
Der of members of the United Nations
who fought against the Axis also have
been placed in the Russian zone of in
fluence. Poland, after long diplomatic
battle, Is now satellite of the U. S.
S. R.-so are Czechoslovakia, Yugo-
slavia and Finland. The apologists Of
Russia's political aims in Europe say
all these countries are liberated states
The real test can be found in the men
who dominate the politics of the lib
Grated nations. They are all members
of the Communist party who received
in Moscow the necessary training for
their prospective jobs. They include
Poland's Beirut. Yugoslavia's Tito,
Bulgaria's Gheorgieff, Romania's Ella
Pauker, Germanys DR.. PECK and Italy's
Togliatti.
The situation in France is not yet
clear. Gen. de Gaulle is desperately at
tempting to keep his country on an
even keel with government represent
ing France herself and not a foreign
theology. The mistakes he made when
he was so anxious to force himself on
the French people are, however, coming
home to roost. He is now being. OPP
posed in his country by Maurice Thorez,
a French Communist who is in the good
graces of the Politbureau. Thorez de-
serted the army and took refuge in
Moscow in 1899.
President Truman must have realized,
even before he went to Potsdam, that
an attempt to change the trends in
Europe at this time would mean waste
of effort which would imperil the thin
fabric of the San Francisco Security
Charter without serving any real good
purpose. Like most of his sincere ad-
visers, he does not like the new picture
in Europe. But there was no going back
on commitments previously made. Many
of the Presidents councillors agreed
that nature has its own way of taking
care of many things and eventually
Russia will have to let down on its
policy of harshness and ruthless ex-
termination of all those elements which
are considered conspiratorial merely be-
cause they happen to be nationalistic,
Convinced by Trip.
Mr.. Truman's trip to Europe last
month convinced him, according to some
members of his encourage, that the "One
World" of the late Wendell L. Willkie
was far from becoming a reality. First
hand reports about rape, arson, mass
deportation, concentration camps for all
those suspected even vaguely of fascist
tendencies" (the current description for
all those who do not subscribe to the
Moscow established local governments
and executions have not made Mr.. Tru-
man either happy or optimistic.
But the best policy which could be
adopted under the circumstances was
one of accepting the inevitable and
hoping that in the course of time things
will be changed. It stands to reason
that policy of oppression and suppress
sion cannot last indefinitely. The present
rulers of about one-half of Europe will
continue for awhile to maintain them
selves by these methods. Many more
millions may have to suffer, but it is
impossible to continue such policy.
It is impossible to exterminate and
reduce to slavery 100000 Europeans.
The Russian government itself will soon
discover that policy of terror will not
be to its advantage. The people of
the Russian zone in Europe have long
tradition of love for freedom and are
known for their fanatical nationalism.
They have fought for centuries to main
tain their independence and are not
likely to be cowed by even the most
modern methods of oppression.
Former Prime Minister Churchill,
speaking last Thursday in the House of
Commons as leader of his majesty's op-
position, stated: Guarded accounts OF
what happened and what is happening
Gin Eastern Europe) have filtered
through, but 1t is not impossible thai
tragedy on q prodigious scale is impos-
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