RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE

Chronicle (Levin), 21 March 1946, Page 4

RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE

Security At Any Price I

FOUNDATION FOR PEACE "While not intending to speak on Russia, I would be less than realistic if I did not refer to and deplore the attitude adopted by her at the tfnited Nations "conference," commented Rotariah J, Hogg, Dunedin, when speaking to delegates at Ihe District Rotary Conference at Napier recently. "Russia left the opipion.that she was wiliing to support the'organisa--tion asl ohg as her interests were being seryed and she was less inc'lined than any other delegation to compromise or' deviate from tnat poiicy," he continued. "This and the power to use the yeto constitutes the greatest danger to the umted Natmns Organisation. "Russia prefers to remain suspicious of the Western Powers and to see what she terms a "western bloc.' Great Britain and the u._~ .. on the other hand see the definite creation of a powerfui 'eastern bioc," politically and economically controlled by Russia and embracing alT r-ne Scty counu'ics oi Easoern Europe." . i^LH/Withstanding all this, Rotarian Ho.Grg continued, it was the duty of Rotarians to endeavour to underC5uana une Russian mind and attitude. What did Russia really want? Aithough clouded by a maze of other issues, there appeared only one logioal answer— Russia sougnt -,pcurity, and" security at any pnce, eyen at the risk of offending her new Aliies in the west. britain's alternative "And what if the United Nations Organisation fails?" he asked. "Wirat is the alternative for us as a British people?" A close friendiy allianpe and understanding between the British Commonwealth of Nations and the United States of America. While it is true that Britain saved civilisation after Dunkirk, it is equally trqe that the Umced States saved US from inyasion and the horrors of war and from the Japanese. Let us never cease tQ be grateful for this deliyerance, Let us cultivate the Anglo-Saxon friendship within the organisation, or, in addition, as an added strength and foundation to international peace and to the British Empire."