HIS TRUMP CARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3287, 12 July 1943, Page 7

HIS TRUMP CARD

PLAYED BY HITLER DOMINATION OF EUROPE PLAN FAILED DISMALLY The following interesting article, by D. Zaslavsky, the well-known Russian writer, appeared in one of the leading Moscow papers. The German-Fascists are trying to twist the Red Army’s victories into a terrible bogey for the intimidation of Europe and America. They are trying to ascribe to the Soviet Union their own defeated plan to dominate Europe. This is not the first time the Germans have tried this trick. It failed dismally before, and it will even more certainly fail to-day. Like the tricksters they are. Hitler’s propagandists are cynically fishing out their greasy marked cards from under the table. They know perfectly well that no sensible, honest person is likely to swallow the bait offered by swindlers who have been and beaten time and again. But they are out to catch the, simpleuniuded, or persons who do not mind being deceived. German Propaganda in U.S.A. On January 31 the Washington Star published ah article by a very broadminded and generous journalist, who with one large gesture presented the U.S.S.R. with practically the whole of Europe on a plate.

He suggested that Bulgaria might desire the privilege of joining rhe U.S.S.R. if, after the Hitlerites’ defeat, tfie Russians were able to establish a common frontier with her through the incorporation of the Dobruja. He envisaged the peoples of Yugoslavia requesting alliance with the great Slav power, Russia, and thereby giving Russia nir outlet to the Mediterranean. Then he made us a present of Czechia —no one can say he is stingy. Then in his irresistible generosity he hinted that Moscow might insist on an extension of its sphere of influence across Iran to the Persian Gulf. It is tedious to enumerate all the silly nonsense uttered by the loquacious American journalist. We only see that there is a big game afoot. The German/ cheats have passed off the marked card, and tjae Washington Star correspondent has accepted it. The Hitler press hastened to acclaim his “plan.” At a Berlin press conference the notorious Dr. Schmidt produced some very earnest “comments.” What a crude business it is. And what abysmal ignorance is displayed! Mr Journalist presumes to present us with Bessarabia, part, of the U.S.S.R. territory. Why does he not go . further, and in the generosity of his heart present California or Alaska to the United States

There still appear to strange people who are ready to present to the Soviet Union parts of its own territory, such as the Baltic Republics. These people pretend not to know that the Constitution of the U.S.S.R., the basic law of our country, has consolidated the ties between these Republics and all the other Republics of the Soviet Union, and that the Red Army is fighting heroically for the honour, independence and integrity of our State. But Fascist lies have very short legs. Anyone who tries to march with Berlin’s propaganda will soon fall out of step with it. Stalin’s Declaration The whole world has heard and remembers Stalin’s simple, concise words: — “We have not, and we cannot have, such war aims as the seizure of foreign territory, the subjugation of foreign peoples, whether it be the peoples and territories of Europe or the peoples and territories of Asia, including Iran. Our first aim is to liberate our territories and our, peoples from the German-Fascist yoke.

“We have not, and cannot have, such war aims as the forcing of our will and our regime on the Slavonic or any other enslaved European peoples who are expecting our assistance. Our aim is to help these peoples in their struggle for liberation from Hitlerite tyranny, and then to leave it to them quite freely to settle their own destiny in their own lands. Nd interference of any kind in the interna! affairs of others!” These words resounded through the world like the peal of a bell made of pure, noble metal. Compared to this truth, how wretched sound the petty pretences of stupid Hitlerite politicians! Let them He. There is really nothing else for unsuccessful cardsharpers to do.