Evening star., 1948-05-16

hat the Soviet Foreign Minister and
but his. diplomatic advisers urge
him to 60 slow on that phase OF
the consolidation of Western Europe
in order not to offend Russia.
They all agree with the military
view that no real economic and
political reconstruction is possible
unless the 250,00o,0 900 people OF
Western Europe can protect them
selves, temporarily at least, against
a Red onslaught. But they contend
that any hasty action which would
give Moscow the impression that
the western world is girding for wal
even defensive war-might
precipitate a crisis.
It is the same chamberlain
philosophy" which impelled the
State Department spokesmen to
oppose a move in Congress to re-
vamp the United Nations into an
effective war-prevention organiza-
ton, with Russia If possible, but
without Russia If necessary.
Eastern Bloc Solid
The eastern bloc is solidly in the
hands of the Kremlin dictators. The
western bloc Is loose and highly
unpredictable, because its leaders
feel that dollars and peacetime
goods from the United States are
not sufficient in these days when
storm clouds are gathering.
There have been times in the
history of the Western European
continental countries when plow-
men had to carry rifles while tilling
their fields. The same thing ap-
plies now, but instead Of rifles they
need tanks and planes.
The Russian bloc Is rapidly being
consolidated by Moscow. Prime
Minister Klement Gottwald OF
Czechoslovakia early this month, Is
sued an order that the national
Czech flag must henceforth always
be flown alongside the flag of the
U. 8. S. r.
The Czech Army is being Soviet
lied completely. It's officers are
undergoing training in Russia or
in schools controlled by the Soviet
Military equipment is being stand
ardized on the Soviet pattern, while
the gauge of railway lines into the
U. s. 8. r. and Poland Is being
widened to that Of the Russian sys-
tenn.
Design in Romania !
In Romania, where the dominant
figure Is the Foreign Minister, Nine
Ana Pauker, a former Soviet citi-
zen, things are~farther along than
in Czechslovakia. Latest reports are
that this member Of the Comintern
who was placed in Bucharest as
Russia's watchdog, and runs the
country with an iron hand, has
decided to incorporate Romania
into the Soviet Union as the 18th
independent republic. In Bulgaria,
Georgi Dimitrov, Moscow's hench-
man, already has lined up his coun-
try on the Soviet side, although 1t
has not yet become q member of
the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia and
Hungary are completely controlled
by the U. s. S. r.
According to the so-called peace
treaties, which the American Senate
ratified in May, 1947, the Russian
forces are supposed to have evac-
uated Bulgarian territory altogether
and only small security forces, to
protect communications with Aus
tria, were to remain in Romania
and Hungary. Onicially the provi-
sions of the treaties have been COM
piled with. But who knows whether
Moscow has withdrawn its troops?
The military forces Of the former
German satellites have been strictly
limited by treaty. But who can say
today whether the treaty limita-
tions are being enforced? Control is
entirely in Russian hands and
surely Moscow will not deprive
itself of important military assist
ance in countries under her DOM
nation.
Soviet Kept Informed
Agents of the Soviet government
are swarming all over Western Eu-
rope and both American continents
They keep the Kremlin fully in
formed about military develop
ments-if any-in all these western
countries. The Kremlin knows how
many divisions, many tanks and
how many planes the west has at
its disposal. and how many 1t may
have q month or 4 year hence.
We guess at the combat force
Russia has, and know little about
the strength Of her satellites.
Krug
Continued From Page C-1)