GRANDPA IVAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1939, Page 3

GRANDPA IVAN

REENTRY INTO EUROPEAN AFFAIRS RUSSIA CHAMPION OF SLAV NATIONS. RELATIONSHIPS WITH BALKAN STATES. “Grandpa Ivan has come back," the Balkan Slavs say. And lie certainly has, states' R. H. Markham in the “Christian Science Monitor." “Grandpa Ivan" is Russia, as “Uncle Sam." is America. Russia is the great Slav State, the traditional champion of all the Slav nations.

When the Slav Montenegrins, who comprised about 250.000 people, were asked as to their number, they used to reply, "We and the Russians are 180,000.000." All the Slavs of Southeast Europe and even of Central Europe —in 'fact, practically all the Slavs in the world except the Poles —have looked upon Russia as their defender. Altogether, there are about: 207,000,000 Slavs. They are increasing rapidly in number and by 1950 may constitute half of all the people on the continent. Approximately 152.000,00 are found in Russia, 20,000.000 in the Balkans, and 11,000.000 in former Czechoslovakia. Since the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. signed in 1918. Russia had been almost eliminated from Europe. Practically all the other countries were pleased to have Russia keep out. Turkey alone co-operated with Soviets heartily; France, reluctantly. The most vehement opponents of all were the Nazis and the Fascists. They oven formed an anti-Comintern Pact, designed exclusively to eliminate Russia. But now the Nazis have brought “Grandpa Ivan" back into the heart of Europe. This is an event of very great importance, which may restore to Europe a balance and equilibrium.

After 1918 a "sanitary corridor" was created to shut Russia and its Communism out of Europe. This left the continent lopsided; first France was completely dominant, later Germany. Russia may now bo on the way toward balancing the scales. One of the salient consequences of Russia’s'elimination from Europe was the isolation of Czechoslovakia. This new State of 15.000,000 people was left almost completely alone in the midst of enemies or rivals. Germany, Austria. and Hungary were hostile to the Czechs, while Poland was ill-disposed. Rumania was the only contiguous friendly State. Russia could not possibly come to Czechoslovakia's aid without marching through Poland or Rumania, neither of which consented to such an act. So the Czechs remained alone, almost completely surrounded by Germans. That gave Hitler a free hand.

But now the Nazis have ended that isolation. Hitler has brought the Russian empire virtually to the border of Slovakia. The age-old defenders of all Slavs are again at the doors of the oppressed Central European Slavs. Czechoslovakia was the home of three kinds of Slavs: the Czechs, tire Slovaks, and the Russins or Ruthenians. numbering eight, two and a half, and three-quarters of a million people, respectively. The smallest group is closely related to the Russians, already contains a large number of Communists, and could very easily be influenced by the great Slav empire. Il now forms a part of Hungary, to which it was re-annexed this year. Russinsko may prove a very favourable point for Russian and Communist pressure on Hungary. With Russian soldiers on the Hungarian border and Russian Communists working upon the desperately poor Russins in Hungary, a vital new factor enters Hungary's international! situation. From now on Budapest will | have to give careful attention to Mos-1 cow's demands.

The Slovaks to the left of the Russins are Catholics, much under the influence of Rome, and, on the whole, hostile to Bolshevism. Until 1918, they were under the Hungarians: from then till 1939. they were with the Czechs. Since March. 1939. they have been under the Germans, though nominally free. Lying among three States, Germany, Russia, Hungary, they are only small money for international bargaining. In spite of their Clericalism, they will be more inclined to gravitate toward Russia than toward any other power.

Beyond them are the Czechs, the principal group in former Czechoslovakia. They are exceedingly Slav-con-scious and ardently attached to the Russians. Most of them are "leftist.” For three centuries they were under the German Hapsburgs and during the latter part of that time Russia was considered their great protector. Czechia was the principal home of Pan-Slavism. Among many Czechs, Slavis solidarity almost took the place of religion. The Czechs are not adherents of the Eastern Orthodox Church, as the Russians. They were too much opposed to the Roman Catholic Hapsburgs to feel drawn to that church. Many are Hussites but on the whole the Czechs arc noted lor their freedom from ecelesiaslicism. If was in a vision of pan-Slav-ism that they found mystic satislaction. Russia was to elevate a unified, free, cultured Slavdom to its rightful place among the nations of Europe.

This ideal found brilliant expression in the national gymnastic organisation, called “The Sokols." meaning falcons. The whole nation, men and women youth and their parents, participated in this. It represented a mighty rebirth of the Czech people and played a great role in Czech liberation. But it was more than nationalism: it was profoundly Slavic and at all the great Sokol meets, representations of all Slav groups participated. Prague was a Slav centre. The Russians were especially welcome there.

This old solidarity between Czechs and Russians is on the way to renewal. Russia is now a neighbour of the Czechoslovaks. Russia is again a factor in Central Europe. For a century and a half Austria-Hungary considered Russia its most powerful neighbour. It. could take no step with considering

Russia. Finally, the Slavs, protected by Russia, destroyed that Empire. Russia is again almost at its old frontiers. Now Hitler takes the place of the Hapsburgs. It may prove that Hitler has tipped the scales against himself, that “Grandpa Ivan" will resume his mission of freeing Slav grandsons.