Evening star., 1949-03-06
Moscow Puzzle

MOSCOW uZZtS
Winston Churchills characterization OF
Soviet Russia as riddle wrapped in an
enigma was never more aptly illustrated
than in the terse announcement over the
Moscow official radio station that V. M
Molotov has been replaced as Foreign Min
lister by Andrei Y Vishinsky. This surprise
move of the Soviet government, coming as
it did wholly without previous warning, Is
enhanced by the simultaneous removal OF
A. I. Mikoyan as Minister Of Foreign Trade
and his replacement by his deputy, the
little known M. A. Menshikov.
The salient point to be borne in mind
concerning these shifts in top personnel is
that, at this stage, Interpretation by the
West must be purely speculative. What goes
on in the mysterious recesses OF the krem-
lin, where the all-poWerful masters OF the
Soviet Union sit in their secret conclave
of the Politburo, is as obscure as it Is un-
practicable. There are no leaks from the
Kremlin.
The best that can be done at this time,
therefore, is an evaluation of certain
known facts and survey of first reactions
from qualified Western sources.
The first thing to note is that both
Molotov and Mikoyan are members OF the
Politburo and therefore in the tnnermost
circle, Molotov having been rated as
Stains closest and most trusted colleague.
Apparently their Politburo memberships
and duties have not been altered. Unless
and until some change in their Politburo
status occurs the logical Interpretation is
that Molotov's influence, In particular, Ia
undiminished In fact, his relievement
from Foreign Office tasks may denote more
important duties as overall deputy for
the aging and repeatedly ailing Stain.
This Interpretation Of the move as pro-
motion rather than demotion Is held In
several authoritative diplomatic quarters
notably in British circles. In this connec-
ton it should be recalled that, during the
period of Soviet isolation from the West
prior to World War II, ministerial posts
were held by underlings rather than by
top-f1ight personalities. 1t could well be
that, in the current period of isolationist
relations with the West, a similar pattern
is being evolved.
Certainly, vishinsky Is admirably fitted
to be front man" for whatever the
Politburo may have In mind. Vishinsky's
record is that Of facile and cynical oppor-
tunist. He is not an "Old Bolshevik." He
was originally in the Menshevik opposition,
though he jumped opportunistically on the
Lenin-Stalin bandwagon and thenceforth
served his masters impeccably. But he Is
not member of the Politburo and there
fore not Of the inner circle. Politically
and automatically, he Is the perfect cha
meleon, able to play faultlessly any part
assigned him by his superiors. incidentally,
there is the minor mystery concerning his
reported nervous breakdown In Carlsbad
sanatorium not long ago. If genuinely Ill,
he must at least have been now judged
capable of playing his familiar histrionic
role.
Concerning the removal Of Mikoyan,
informed Western opinion likewise tends
to draw unfavorable conclusions. Mr..
Mkoyan is credited with being not ILL
disposed toward foreign trade between the
Soviet Union and the outer world But
East-West economic relations are currently
at low ebb and show no signs of i'm
provement. Presumably, his promoted
deputy is routine career bureaucrat with
neither influence nor real authority. This
change in the Ministry of Foreign Trade
would thus likewise fall in with the isola-
zionist hypothesis.
However, it should again be emphasized
that all deductions concerning these shifts
are tentative and, like a railroad timetable,
subject to change without notice"