Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1946-03-07
Il Might Be
|Wrong--But

r. G. sTROMBERG

WHETHER we like it or not
w the strike situation right
now is NOT the major problem
causing clouds on the horizon.
Our greatest problem today is
the attitude of Russia and the
possible consequences of her in
dependent, and
RuSSia'S apparently AFRO
Arrogant giant actions in
Actions connection with
her so called
"sphere of influence"
Throughout the war attention
has been called in this column to
the fact that a permanent peace
depended almost entirely on what
Russia would do. Explanations
and a tolerant effort to under
stand the background of Russian
world relations have been given
officially by Great Britain and
the United States. Even as COM
rades-in-arms Russia gave US
constant concern regarding her
attitude. First she demanded a
second front" when our high
I SmiIitary leaders deemed it un-
timely. Criticism from Moscow
was harsh and frequent. Seldom
did the Allies get an encourag-
ing word or an appreciative nod
from Russian officialdom. And
at the several
"Uncle Joe" conferences of
Still Wants the Big Three
Concessions "Uncle Joe"
was the one to
whom Prime Minister Winston
Churchill and President Roose-
welt made concessions.
Always it was with the hope
that gradually we would find
softened, intelligent and tolerant
attitude and now, when the war
with Germany has been conelud-
ed almost a year, there exists
even more confusion. Russia
definitely is the stumbling block
to a real and certain future
peace. Just how far she is deter
mined to go in demanding con-
cessions and playing a lone hand
probably depends on how strong
a hand Uncle Sam plays. Stain
knows that our great democracy
rs peace-loving but he is not GER
tain how far we are willing to
let him go toward embroiling the
world into another and still more
disastrous war before showing
our teeth.
All European countries are
deeply hurt as a result of the
war. Our country, while hurt,
stands as the worlds greatest
military powers combining all
elements of wag-
Our New, ing successful
Determined warfare - on
Policy land, on sea and
in the air as well
as production of the greatest
output of wars essentials the
world has ever known. And
Russia knows all this. So we
should take fresh hope in the
strong front Secretary Byrnes is
showing. The speeches of Sena-
tor Connolly and Senator Van
denburg give Russia some inkling
of the new trend of thought in
America. The speech of Prime
Minister Churchill in Missouri
on Tuesday of this week all
combine to inform Mr.. Stain
that new and determined policy
is shaping toward his demands
for appeasement.
Russia is the worlds example
of Communism. The United
States is the worlds best exam
pie of democracy. The two
ideologies are hard to mix. If
the underlying purpose Of both
countries is to achieve lasting
peace there should be no diff
Guilty in reaching agreements.
But Russia must be told that she
is expected to develop good man.
ners in international relations.
4 For her to boast proudly Of the
Accomplishments of spies in a
friendly country begets bad feel
ing and bad feeling can soon be
Tanned into big misunderstand-
lngs which might ultimately lead
to armed conflict.
All Of this trouble about Rus
sra can be excused only on the
basis that she might conceivabIy
be extremely doubtful Of the sin
certify Of other countries. And
the time has come for her to
do some understanding.