Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1939. BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1939. BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

TN- the course of the debate in the House of Commons this X week relative to Britain’s attitude in the European crisis Mr Anthony Eden stressed the importance of collaborating with Russia, while Mr Lloyd George expressed the opinion that without the help of Russia, Britain would be walking^into a trap in the event of war against Germany, and that the Soviet s entry into an alliance was a military matter of the, first importance. The stern logic of recent events in Europe has forced Britain and Russia, to discard old prejudices and revise the attitude of aloofness towards each other. Britain has adopted an antagonistic policy towards Russia since the temiination o the Great War so it would not have caused surprise in the present situation if the Soviet had favoured linking up with the Berlin-Rome axis. Rebuffs from Britain have been resented by Russia, particularly the most recent one, that of the exclusion of the Soviet from the Munich conference, interpreting these as attempts to divert Germany away from the West and against the Ukraine. No British statesman has caused more mischief between Britain and Russia than Mr Lloyd George, who now sees the salvation of Britain in an alliance with Russia. Had Britain played her diplomatic cards skilfully m the past ten years the German banditry in Europe would never have taken place, because of fear of Russia, who, knowing that she was sure of the strong support of Britain, would have had in operation a foreign policy which would have made Hitler hesitate Io adopt a “mailed fist” attitude. Russia, however, pursuing a realistic attitude towards German aggression, was quick to accept in principle the British proposal lor a joint declaration of European Powers for collective resistance against any German policy of domination —in fact, Russia went further by'advocating a six-Power conference between herself, Britain, France, Poland, Rumania and Turkey. But the British reaction at the time to this suggestion showed that Britain still hesitated to undertake commitments on the Continent, and was reluctant to align herself with Russia, in a pact of collective security. Since, however, Mr Chamberlain made an unexpected appearance at a reception recently at the Soviet Embassy in London, a change has come over the British foreign policy as far as Hussia "is concerned, for in his statement in the House of Commons on Friday, A£r Chamberlain declared that He did not wish to specify now what other Governments the British Government might now or in the near future desire to consult, but, in reference to the Soviet Government, he desired to make clear that Britain would welcome the co-operation of any country, whatever its internal system of government, in resisting aggression. Even to the British Government —in the face of the threat of a German hegemony over Europe, established by armed force and military menaces —the policy of cold-shouldering Russia must now appear as suicidal. Russia occupies a key position, as she owns vast military and economic resources. A democratic front in Europe would be shorn of great potential strength without, her aid, especially since the clamping of a Nazi stranglehold on Rumanian economy. It must, not be overlooked that, under pressure of political realities Russia has turned increasingly from revolutionary to nationalist sentiment. Russia shares with the Western democracies today common interests in the preservation of order against aggressive forces in the East as in the West, standing, as she does, between. Germany and Japan. The developments in Europe in the past, few weeks have been hailed by the Japanese' press as a weakening of British and French interests in the Far East, hut Mr Chamberlain’s policy statement on Friday must have given Japan as well as Germany and Italy much food for serious thouo'ht, especially as the House of Commons is solidly behind the British Prime Minister. Germany, and whatever Rowers may support her in the event of war, must realise that they will require to light the democracies of the world, which would mean engaging Britain, France, Russia, America and the numerous smaller''nations who today lie in the. shadow of the Nazi menace. Mr Chamberlain’s statement and the speeches "of various prominent politicians in the House of Commons, as contained in the cables this week, must have restored British prestige in those European countries who held Britain in such esteem in. the days prior to the Czecho-Slovakia seizure.