RUSSIA REMAINS ENIGMA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 6

RUSSIA REMAINS ENIGMA

Russia’s pronouncement of policy at the meeting of the Supreme Council was expected by Germany to be the turning point of the war. It seems now that Germany was holding out Russia as the great bogey-man of Europe in the hope of scaring the Allies into submission. Molotoff has made the walls of the Kremlin tremble with thundering words, but he has left the war situation largely where it was before he spoke. His speech was a mass of contradictions and inaccuracies, but he has succeeded in deepening the mystery that has surrounded Russia ever since the signing of the non-aggression pact with Germany. Just what part Russia will play in the war the world still does not know.

According to Molotoff, the new accord with Germany, which replaces the previous “unprincipled manoeuvring and playing off of one against the other,” will affect the entire international situation. But Molotoff hastens to add that Russia will maintain a free hand in international affairs, will remain neutral will attempt to halt and not spread the war. That definition of Soviet policy would pass for a description of what has obtained in the past if the world could close its eyes to the seizure of half of Poland and a brazen incursion into several Baltic countries. There is no mention of practical assistance to Germany; only implied approval of the Nazi aggression. Molotoff denounces Britain as the aggressor and declares that Britain’s wr.r aim is to destroy Germany. The charge of aggression is as illogical as any outburst from Hitler. The allegation that Britain, aims at the destruction of Germany is a plain untruth. Britain has always differentiated between Hitlerism and Germany, and the world knows Britain has no desire and no intention to destroy Germany. Molotoff also places Britain’s desire to protect her colonies against the claims of Germany as the root cause of the war. He says Hitlerism may be accepted or rejected, but not by force, and declares that the war promises nothing to the workers but bloody hardship and sacrifice. Therefore it is senseless to continue the war. Hitlerism must be allowed to live. Germany is “striving for peace.” And, lest it be forgotten, the world should be reminded that this is Molotoff speaking—the mouthpiece of the nation that has espoused the cause which Hitlerism has sworn to sweep off the face of the earth, the dreaded Communism which the anti-Comintern pact was evolved to destroy.