Evening star., 1949-12-25


military geniuses - modern Ma
poleons. But they actually pos
sessed only a smattering of mill
tary knowledge. Nor did they
understand that in modern war
nobody wins.
The same thing applies to
Joseph Stain. The former the
ology student became a revolu-
tionary in the days of the czars
and manipulated the party ma
chine after Lenin's death to
catapult himself to the pinnacle
of power in that formidable state
Russia.
Stain never had even elemen-
tary knowledge of military STRAIT
egy. Nor does he understand
what war means, in spite of the
devastations which the last war
left in his country. Once Russia
became involved in World War II,
however, he donned splendid uni
forms, bedecked himself with dec
orations and became a marshal
Of the Soviet Union, although his
only knowledge of war imple-
ments was in the handling Of a
pistol and the hurting Of hand
grenades, both Of which were used
in his robbery of the bank at Tiflis
In the early years Of the century.
Sure He Can Succeed
Because of his lack Of under
standing of the meaning of mod
ern warfare, Stain has been a
warrior ever since Russia was
saved from destruction at the
hands Of the Nazi legions by time
" American and British support.
He likes the sound of saber-rat-
tling but does not realize, any
more than Hitler and Mussolini
did, what war can mean to Rus
sia as well as the rest of the world.
Because of the vast armies his
country can muster-a large part
of which is already on active serv-
ice-and because of Russia's in
dependence of the rest Of the
world in the production OF raw
materials and the manufacture of
munitions, he is convinced that
where the other dictators failed
he can succeed.
It is true that his potential
victims-the Western nationS-are
even weaker today than they were
In 1889. This is an encouraging
factor in his planning for world
domination, which is the goal of
all dictators of countries with
great manpower and large natural
resources.
Modern dictators who are pro-
fessional soldiers and who rule
relatively small countries shy away
from wars even more determinedly
than do the leaders of democra-
cies.
Kemal Ataturk was the first real
dictator in Europe and the Near
East after Lenin replaced the
czars. Kemal was a good soldier,
brought up In the best military
tradition. After fighting a war for
Turkeys independence between
1920 and 1924 he proceeded to re-
organize the antiquated govern
ment of Turkey and never at
tempted to enlarge the borders OF
the new republic in spite Of the
temptations offered him. Bulgaria
and Greece. his neighbors in the
Balkans, were weak militarily and
politically. Had Kemal not been
fully aware of the risks Of a war
which only professional soldiers
fully understandable might have
attempted to reclaim" territories
formerly held by the Turkish
empire.
Turkeys Case
Ismet Inonu, Kemal's successor
and the present President Of Tur-
key, also is q professional soldier.
He was educated in the military
schools Of Constantinople. He
served as a brigade commander In
World War I when politicians
around the decrepit old Sultan
threw Turkey onto the side Of the
Central Powers.
Turkey shared their disaster
During the war. Of independence
Inonu was first chief of staff and
later commander Of the ground
forces of nationalist Turkey un-
der Kemal. World War II found
this soldier-who was a trained
general-at the helm Of the gov
ernment in Ankara. Because Of
the important strategic position
which Turkey occupies between
Europe and the Middle East,
heavy pressure was brought on
her by both camps.
Germany pressed and cajoled.
So did the Allies. Turkey was
threatened with the direst conse-
quences If 1t did not enter the
battle. Both sides also promised
her rich profits if she joined their
side in the conflict.
Inonu withstood the pressure
because he knew what war meant
He walked tight rope, ignored
the threats and resisted all temp
tations. Like all good soldiers, he
was determined to keep his coun-
try out of war, regardless of how
difficult it was to remain a spec
tator in that world carnage.
A similar situation prevailed in
Spain. Franco also is a profess
sional soldier. a product Of the
military academy at Alcazar. 8 II
was only by accident that he be-
came the leader of the armies
which in the end defeated the
Loyalists. He fought a devastat-
ing civil war for three long years.
After World War II began,
Franco was promised rich gains
at the expense of all his neigh
bors II he joined the Axis. Hitler
and Mussolini produced due bills
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