SOVIET AIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1939, Page 5

SOVIET AIMS

RELATIONS WITH GERMANY MUTUAL DISTRUST SAID TO BE EMPHASISED. POLAND AS CONTROLLED STATE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright NEW YORK, September 18. The “New York ’rimes” Moscow correspondent says that British authoritative circles do not believe the latest Russian move was planned at the time of the signature ot the Russian-German pact. On the contrary, the mutual Rus-sian-German distrust is emphasised. They believe that the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, promised that the Germans would not approach nearer than a line running through Bregt-Litovsk. When the Soviet saw the Germans nearing the line she decided to act and notified Germany, which put on its best face and pretended approval of the move. From a military viewpoint the Russians have not improved their position in relation to Germany; fortification of the new line similarly to the old frontiers will take time; but politically she has gained considerably, as, apart from the fact that the Germans are prevented from approaching the border and seizing the Ukraine, the invasion has given Russia easy access to Europe. Ironically, the Hungarians, whose hatred of the former Czech President, Dr Benes, was based on an allegation that the Russian-Czech pact brought Russia back ■to Central Europe, now have Russian troops along the frontier, but unless Russia co-operates German is again barred from the Rumanian oilfields, except via Hungary. The Russian people’s first feelihgs were shocked bewilderment, which was quickly replaced with satisfaction-and some jingoism over the prowess of the “gorious Red Army.” The intelligentsia is- pleased that the Soviet has "resumed its proper task of liberating oppressed people.” It is not expected that the Soviet system will be established in Poland, but rather that there will be a controlled State similai- to .Outer Mongolia. There is at present no attempt at socialisation.