Laurel outlook., 1946-11-27
DR.. A|KENS SPEAKS ON
POSITION Of POWERS
UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA

ttt't0ttb0 iIOOOHt
AS a final speaker in a series
OF lectures during the month that
pertained largely to international
relations, DR.. Lincoln j. Aikens, reg
istrar and instructor in social sci
ence at Eastern Montana Normal
school, Billings, spoke here before
the Rotary club Tuesday on the
present position of world powers,
the technique of preserving the
peace by understanding other ma
lions, and the responsibilities rest
ing on Russia and the United
States.
The rapidly speaking educator
said the end of the war in Europe
did not change the ideas of the
Hitler youths in Germany, and that
they remained a menace to be care
fully watched. After the first
World war, America soon lost in
terest in world affairs and even
attempted isolationism, which the
speaker regarded as having con-
tributed to the second war. His
opinion was that the United
States will have to continue an
active role.
Without time to marshal SUD-
porting data and arguments, Aikens
declared the peace of the world
depends on the United States and
Russia. Briefly mentioned were
the two nations material resources,
large populations and production
capacities. France, fifth-columned
and weary of centuries of invas-
ions, was a spear point that COL
lapsed; England, grim and deter
mother country of a proba-
bly, disintegrating empire, continued
sturdily to the end and was spear
point that was effective. America
was the arsenal of the democracies
in the early stages and a powerful
later.
The sun requires four hours to
travel across the United States, IL
to cross Russia.
In the latter country there must
great resources in manpower.
minerals, forests, electric power
and food, probably only partially
developed. What exists behind the
iron curtain" no outsider knows,
FOR visitors see only those things
he host wants them to see.
In Anglo-Saxon countries the in
iividual is everything; in Russia
he individual seems to be nothing,
md the systems of government
ire accordingly different. In trv-
ng to understand Russia, the
speaker said that one time a men,
Ter of an audience hearing a lee
ure on the subject asked, "Why
Ices not Russia try to understand
ls?" He said it was a good point.
Russia has long wanted and prob
bly, will some time get a warm
weather. seaport. The attempts.
1ade in several directions in the
asst, continue. A seaport blocked
freezing weather through a
reat part of the year has never
cen satisfactory. Another factor,
ecited by history, is that Russia
as good eas to distrust the
'estern powers. Still another, in
~ OPAAACA VI NIC oPCdhCI, 10 IIldL
lhabitants of a number of the sub
visions making up Russia are
RENTALS with viewpoints different
'om Credentials.
Stain is supposed to be the
.rong man, but is he as strong as
nagined? There have been other
men in Russia. Do the
asses know how the rest of the
orld lives? Probably not; such
1owledge might weaken the power
those in control.
On the premise that the peace of
world rests on the United
and Russia, Aikens reiterat-
that understanding the other
lrtner is quite essential and can
accomplished.
He was introduced by Fred w.
raft, representing the November
committee.