The Nome nugget., 1948-12-10
PROBING THE WEAK SPOTS
(The Forty-Ninth Starr

M R. Marston an Anchorage man. gave Alaskans a look at their western defenses recently The picture of the ArccBering coast presented isn't pleasant
 As former commander of AlaSka'S Territorial Guard units west of the 54h parallel Marston knows the vast section he says needs immediate strengthening and those who inhabit it.
 His recommendation that no time be lost in establish ing National Guard units among the ESkimoS should be given immediate consideration The former ATG off, is not alarmst, but he is realist He assesses the United States position along the entire coast being "Wide open"
 That such condition should exist with Manchuria under Communist control and all of China threatened seems unbelievable Each Communist success in Asia Increases the strategic value of Alaska Conversely, each day of delay in strengthening Alaska Weakens the TerritOry's position
 The Eskmos who inhabt the coast facing Siberia are also reasts They know that 17 of their fellow Aaskans recently held 57 days by the Russians Big Dio mede Easing their action vague law, the con- tent of which has probably never been made known to the Eskmos who were held prisoner the Russians re- leased the American citizens only when it pleased them to do so.
 There is no indication that the United States govern ment protested the detention by the Russians. As suit entirely possible that the Sovies have already won a victory in the psychological warfare cenerod about the Boring Straits.
 The apparent indifference of Washington to the we- fare of r American citizens who held an SOnably long time and to the they held by
 socalled friendly power may have the Eskimos asking questions. They may be wondering what the nation would have done if 17 white citizens had been held for nearly two months on Big Diomede.
 If the Alaskan Eskmos be led to believe that per haps the United States would have been more bold and at least sent piece of paper to Moscow protesting the Russian action had the Big Diomede incident involved whites rather than Eskimos the Sovies have already won victory The unprotected thrddegree treatment dished out Big Domede may have started the Eski wondering whether Uncle Sam plans to defend the bleak coasts that have been their homeland for tures.
 The Russians won clear-cut victory if they have shaken the confidence of the Esknos in their govern ment established slight breach in the white Eskimo relationship Because the Eskmos reticent, non-alkave race the number of casualties the Sovies inflicted through weakened royalties is impossible to determine. Making up practically the entire population along the most strategic coast in North America the Es kimos Alaskas first line of defense If the nation poets their full support it can't consider their welfare and citizenship secondary propositions
 The fine art of diplomacy and international law don't mean much to the Eskimos They off Big Diomede knowing only that they had been pushed around and mo- body in the State Department wasted holler on them In handling future incidents that may develop in the Boring Strait Washington will do better if it assigns to the job who knows something about practical olo ,oJ fh,E EcL two Of