Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-03-13
Russia
Continued From First Page.

WV oCSuI1Gy NOuIlCu, SCllSQuleQ 10
meet in New York March Is.
The Soviet government has not
announced so far who will represent
lit at this Security Council meeting,
raising in some minds the possibility
that the Russians are bent on
achieving detectives in defiance OF
UNO principles, they might bolt the
organization.
Three possible reasons for the Red
Army movements are seen in unofi-
cial speculation here:
l. To win territorial concessions
and control of the Dardanelles from
Turkey through threat Of force. In
this connection, it is recalled that
Russia is maintaining a large COM
bat army in Bulgaria, a potential
threat to Turkey.
2. To seek the Mosul oil fields of
1raq, which would bring Russia into
direct conflict with British interests.
3. To force pro-Soviet govern
ment on Iran, where the Soviet
long has sought oil concessions.
Basis for Security Council con-
sideration of the situation was laid
at its first meeting in London early
this year, when Iran appealed for
some action to end alleged infringe
ments on her independence by Rus
sian troops stationed in the coun-
try.
Reds Reinforced Army.
The Council decided then that
Iran and Russia should try to settle
their differences by direct negotia-
ton. Iranian Premier Ahmed
Qavam Es Saltaneh failed to reach
an agreement in Moscow recently.
In the meantime, the March 2
deadline in an Iranian-Russian-
British agreement for withdrawal of
foreign troops from the country
passed and, instead of withdrawing,
Russia started the reported REIN
forcements.
The United States is not a party
to the agreement setting the March
2 date for withdrawal of the Allied
troops which were stationed in Iran
during the war to facilitate move
ment of supplies to Russia. Ameri-
can forces were pulled out by jan
uary l.
This country is bound, however,
with Russia and Britain in a Big
Three declaration assuring respect
for Trans sovereignty and indie
pendence, giving it a direct interest
in the situation
Warned Against Nerve War.
Secretary Byrnes' recent warning
against conducting a war of
nerves" to attain strategic ends and
aggression by "gnawing away"
process appeared to apply with par
ticular force to the latest develop
ments in Iran.
The indicated renewed considera-
ton OF the case by the Security
Council will involve critical test Of
its ability to protect a small nation
against the use of threat of force by
a larger power.
This aspect of the situation put
added significance on Mr.. Byrnes'
declaration In his recent New York
radio speech that "veto or no veto"
the United States intends to back up
its responsibilities under the United
Nations Charter, with force if neces-
sary. Russia could be expected to
veto any proposal for strong UNO
action on either Iran q Turkey.
The American inquiry about new
Russian troop movements in Iran
came as this Government still
awaited a reply to an earlier note
urging prompt withdrawal of all So
Wet forces there to promote inter-.
national confidence.
Reply on Manchuria Reported.
Another point Of tension with Rus
STA appeared to be coming to head,
meanwhile, as Moscow dispatches
reported that the Soviet had replied
to an American note concerning re-
moval Of industrial equipment from
Manchuria by insisting that the Red
Army was entitled to any equipment
used by the japanese Army as war
booty"
This Government had rejected
such q claim In advance, emphasize
ing that disposition Of japanese
assets In Manchuria was Of concern
to other Allies who had borne the
major burden" in defeating Japan.
Secretary Byrnes said yesterday
Russia had replied to . note OF in.
CURRY sent February 3, but that he