RUSSIA'S QUANDARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 121, 25 June 1941, Page 4

RUSSIA'S QUANDARY

SOVIET RUSSIA, by all the laws of accepted international code, the friend and bolster state of Nazi Germany has been, to put it bluntly—sold a, pup. For the second time within twenty-five years Russia is at war with the Huns. Behind the mechanised divisions of the modern Soviet, hcver the shadows of the legions of old Imperial Russia, marching once more to meet the ruthless foe of 1914. Russia has been the latest victim, nor all her wile of treaty and intrigue served to preserve her from the savagery of the hordes of the Third Reich. Russia has fallen a victim to her own toils and the mask of convenience worn for eighteen months by the German diplomats has been whipped, aside, disclosing the true expression of erstwhile friendship now religiously following the plot of 'Mein Kampf.' What has prompted this latest move by the Nazis, confounds the wisest heads. To many it appears suicidal; to others it follows the path of dire necessity; to others again it represents deep laid strategy, bringing to the allegiance of the Reich the unwilling allies of Finland and Rumania. Taken unawares the Russian armies can only be expected to fall back before the first terrific onslaught. The horrible 'Luftwaft' has been loosened against the undefended frontier towns! But Soviet Russia with an official war-time army strength of eight million men, represents a formidable antagonist. Apparently Hitler considers himself impervious to defeat, and prefers to follow out bis original plan to crush Communism, before dealing with the tougher and more uncertain proposition—the conquest of England. But Russia! Once again we can hardly adjust ourselves to the complications arising out of the latest freakturning of the course of events. Churchill announces Britain's intention of assisting to the fullest possible extent. •Italy, on the other hand, in spite of her professions of two months ago, echoes the will of her master and declares war likewise. Japan, at the eastern end of the Axis, must break the bonds, once more. She likewise has, through her Foreign Minister, Matsuoka, insinuated herself but recently into the good offices of official Soviet circles. What now ? Is there any honesty left in international relations 9 From the British viewpoint the developments are almost unbelievable. For the German Fuehrer, to deliberately spread his forces over a new and tremendous front at sucli a time is almost beyond comprehension. How long can the Nazi octopus, gripping a dozen enslaved states, fight not merely Great Britain and the Soviet, but also the resources of the United States which are hastening to the rescue. Surely this is the last bid of a desperate man to achieve world conquest.