Evening star., 1946-06-01
Sees History Repeating
Post-NupoIeonic Era
Writer Quotes Anti.Russian
Views of 10Th Century
By Raymond Moley

Foreign Minister " M. Molotov's
statement about the recent Paris Con-
ference must be taken with the grain Of
salt appropriate to all political UTTER
ances. 1t, of course, was aimed mainly
at the Russian people and their sup
porters elsewhere. That it will add to
the unpleasant feeling here and in
Britain toward our Soviet ally is true.
Mr.. Molotov no doubt realizes that, but
writes off such a debit against the
strengthening of his position at home.
We can gain some perspective on the
foreign situation if we bear in mind that
the nations are engaged in a routine
diplomatic game. They may be talking
privately of the danger Of another war,
but even that may be done for effect.
Messrs. Byrnes, Molotov and Bevin are
politicians and, as such, they want to
build up support at home to strengthen
their hands in diplomatic trading.
Nothing would be more natural than
that the period between two conferences
be devoted to carefully phrased jibes at
one another. 1t is something like the
habit of managers of prize fighters who,
during the training season, issue smok-
ing blasts at each other. It's good for
the box office and good for morale.
If there is any doubt that this hors-
ing around is not necessarily a prelude
to war, let us consider the diplomacy of
Europe from 1914 to 1922 During that
whole period, statesmen were trying to
stabilize Europe which Napoleon had
upset. The grand alliance which had
overthrown Napoleon-Russia, Prussia,
Austria and Britain-staged a diplo-
matte brawl over the years. For time
the scene was dominated by Alexander
I, Gar of Russia. He, like Stain, was
an enigmatic figure. The following is
what the Cambridge Modern History
says of him and of Russia in those
years: Under these conditions, the
menace of Russia to the liberties of
Europe seemed to men of affairs nearly
as alarming as had been that of France.
Apprehension was increased by the
enigmatic character of the Emperor.
Behind the handsome mask of his face,
with the smiling lips and the eyes that
never smiled, was hidden nature mold
ed and transformed by the most con-
Trajectory influences
Talleyrand who loved to fish In
troubled waters, sharpened the differ
ences between Britain and Russia. He
heard with satisfaction all that British
statesmen said of the Russians. In a
letter to his King, he said, in 1915:
Lastly, the pretensions of Russia and
Prussia, as set forth in the Russian
project of which I have the honor to
subjoin copy; and especially the man
ner in which those pretensions were
advanced and argued in conference
between their plenipotentiaries and
those of Austria. The arrogant tone of
that insolent and nonsensical document
so deeply offended Lord Castlereagh
that, departing from his habitual calm
ness, he declared that the Russians
were claiming to lay down the law and
that England was not disposed to ac-
cept that from anybody"
There it is, the cowboy diplomacy of
Russia, the complaint over Russian
manners, the well-directed indignation
of British statesmen. Communism does
not alter nor Marxism stale the tradi-
tional Russian enigma
But out of that troubled era emerged
a peace which did not break down into
general war for century.
tReleased by the Associated Press)