Evening star., 1947-03-10

AR 1ftOtUS.
observers noticed that this was COM
pletely free Of the usual invectives
against the Soviet Union.
Molotov Succeeds Litvinov
That the omission was not lost upon
the Kremlin was indicated week later
MAY 81 by the dismissal of Foreign
Comnissar Maxim Lityinov. the symbol
Of collective action against German
aggression, and his replacement by v. M.
Molotov.
Hitler now proposed to Moscow the
resumption of the economic negotia-
tions that had been interrupted in
March. The Kremlin agreed It's charge
daffaires in Berlin, Astrachov, and the
head of its trade delegation there
Babinsky, were instructed to enter into
discussions with Schnurre German eco
nolnic minister to Moscow, who had been
recalled to Berlin)
Hitler and Ribbentrop followed these
talks closely.
To lead on the Soviets, Schnurre was
told to put into his talks some compli-
mentary remarks Hitler was supposed
to have made about Stain.
Meanwhile, Hitler Con May %, 1880
explained his Polish policy to his service
chiefs and underlined the need OF OBJ
tanning Russian cooperation for the
isolation Of Poland.
A political Understanding" Necessary.
Stalin's policy at this point Is subject
to differing interpretations. It never may
be entirely clear whether in the sum-
mer of 1899 Stain entered upon nego-
tiations with France and Britain with
an ironclad agreement in view. Certainly
his tactics were calculated to induce Hit
Ter to offer the maximum price for Rus
sian cooperation and at the same time
to maneuver both him and the western
powers into a position Of mutual def
ance. Having first induced the western
Allies to substitute the idea Of defen-
sive alliance for a treaty Of guarantee
to the threatened secondary states, he
obtained the dispatch Of military mis-
sions to Moscow.
Only then Gin August, 1880 did Stain
bring forward his demand for a free
hand in the Baltic states, a proposal
which he probably knew to be inac-
ceptable.
More definite indication of lack of
sincerity lies in the fact Astrachov was
instructed to inform Schnurre that, in
the Russian view. prolonged economic
cooperation would not be feasible with
out concurrent political understanding
Germany was asked to express itself on
this point
Hitler did not hesitate. He seized the
initiative and ordered his ambassador,
Count Frederic Werner Won der Schulen
burg, to propose that Ribbentrop imme-
diately proceed to Moscow to conclude
an agreement on broad basis.
Stain and Molotov seem to have been
somewhat startled by the speed with
which the ball was tossed back to them
On August IA, Molotov replied that
the Kremlin now accepted the sincerity
Of the German desire for an alliance.
Ribbentrop's trip to Moscow was wei
come, but would have to be postponed
until September to avoid embarrassing
contacts with the Allied military mis-
sions then in Moscow.
Hitler was entertaining Count Gale
azzo Ciano (executed in January, 1914,
for treason to MussolinD at the Salz-
burg Opera when the message arrived
He turned to his guest with, II have just
received very good news" and kept the
Italian on tenterhooks before telling him
what 1t was all about.
But whereas the news was welcome
enough, it was not that for which Hitler
had hoped. Urged on by Field Marshal
Gen. Herman Goering convicted in the
Nuremberg war crimes trials but who
cheated the gallows by swallowing poi
son October 16, 1946), Hitler decided to
make personal appeal to Stain to treat
Immediately. ..
His message stressed the extreme
urgency of an early understanding and
referred frankly to the German time
table for action against Poland.
All accounts from members of Hitler's
encourage are eloquent concerning the
tension which prevailed while Stains
reply was awaited.
According to Goering, Hitler called
him at am. (probably on August 19)
and expressed his anxiety as no reply
had yet been received. He was beginning
to feel that he had made q stupid mis-
take" and inclined to blame Goering
for inspiring it.
Half an hour later the telephone rang
again and now jubilant Hitler an
nounced Stains agreement to the visit
The day Of exuberant rejoicing which
followed was unique In the annals Of
the Berchtesgaden retreat.
I'm tomorrow's Star-How Ribben-
trop and Soviet officials negotiated the
Russo-G German marriage e"-nonaggres-
sion pact1
tcopyrisht. 1s47.)