Evening star., 1948-03-02
Capital Opinion Seen
Calling for Check on
Russian Aggression
U.S.. Government, However.
Believed Unlikely to Go
Beyond Formal Protest
By David Laurence

There Is a tragic parallel in most
everybodys mind today. Czechoslo-
vakia's absorption by Stain Is
likened to Hitler's grab Of state after
state in Europe.
Because the Western Allies hesi-
tated in the sos. aggression went
unchecked. The undercurrent of
desire, so to speak, In Washington
is to do something to check Russian
aggression.
The theory prevails that II ag-
gression Is not interrupted, 1t may
mean that the western democracies
are acquiescing. This is q position
which can be misunderstood.
In contrast to what happened
before 1899, however, there is a wide
spread belief that only physical force
-war-can check aggression and
that show of physical force could
easily lead to war.
Protest May Be All.
Curiously enough, on the other
hand, while expressions Of dis
approval of what has happened in
Czechoslovakia are heard on every
side, there isn't the slightest sign
that the American Government will
do anything more than voice the
formal protest which 1t cabled last
week.
The impression is that quick pas
sage of the Marshall Plan will be
the best answer that could be made
to Russia. This, at any rate, is the
reason given for accelerating the
Senate debate and showing by over
whelming vote that America Is ready
to spend billions to bolster the eco
nomic strength of the countries out
side the iron curtain.
Economic support, however, will
not by itself stay the hand of the
aggreSsor. The long-range outlook
is for stronger Europe to confront
Russia. But the short-range outlook
is causing apprehension. If Com
munist infiltration sweeps Italy and
perhaps France and soon gets con-
troll Of Austria and Finland and
moves on through the Scandinavian
area to the sea in the north while
moving downward to the Mediter-
ranean in the south, policies of stra-
teglc defense come into being.
This could mean reinforcement of
African bases by America and GER
tain movements of naval and air
forces to Europe as a precaution,
though it is conceded in military
circles that America has Withdrawn
80 much of her forces from Europe
as to make it simple for the Red
armies to sweep the whole continent
IN a matter of weeks. Only Britain,
because of her naval strength and
island position, remains free from
immediate danger.
There is natural revival of mill
tary planning hereabouts. Military
men whose business or profession is
concerned with national security,
talk sadly of their inadequate per-
sonnel and weapons. Much of the
surplus property of military ma
ture that was to be sold has been
withheld for emergency use.
Logical Sequel to Events.
There is at the moment no sign
that Russia would provoke a war.
But should the Allies throw down
the gauntlet and stop Russia now?
This question, which is being de-
bated in Britain, is asked here, too.
1t is the logical sequel to the events
of recent months.
There is a school of thought, how
ever, which believes the situation
can be mended by firm hand and
q realistic form of negotiation with
the Soviets. There are indications
that all is not well inside Russia
and that the Marshall Plan is really
feared by the Soviets. If this Is so,
it may be asked why the Russians
do not move in elsewhere in Europe
now while the Allied countries are
unprepared and when the Marshall
Plan has not begun to function?
The decisions of DOlicV that face