RUSSIA’S INDEPENDENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 6

RUSSIA’S INDEPENDENCE

Russia’s desire to at least present an appearance of independence in the European war situation is indicated in an official denial of a statement made in Japan suggesting a reshaping of the Axis. The Japanese statement alleged that Stalin and the German Ambassador at Moscow had discussed an agreement among Russia, Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as the cancellation of the Anti-Comintern Pact. “ This is a pure invention,” a Russian agency states. “ Stalin has not spoken to the German Ambassador for the last six months.” The statement and the denial are notable for two reasons. In the first place, if Russia is the close ally of Germany that she is alleged to be, it is remarkable that the head of the Russian State has not had occasion to speak with the official German representative in six months. Again, the denial draws attention to the fact that Russia is still conscious that she is separated from Germany by no less substantial a barrier than the Anti-Comintern Pact, which was the cornerstone of the Axis edifice. Are Germany, Italy and Japan willing to cancel that pact for the purpose of bringing Russia into the fold ? On the other hand, will Russia ever consent to become a party to the Axis while that menacing pact remains the foundation of the Axis policy ? Russia’s peremptory denial of the story is difficult to understand, unless it springs from a simple desire for the truth. Abrogation of the Anti-Comintern Pact, it would be expected, would be most welcome to the Bolshevik dictator, since that would again open the way for a foreign campaign on behalf of Bolshevism. Regarding the other half of the story, why should Russia so obviously object to an agreement with Germany, Italy and Japan ? There are, in fact, many possible reasons. For instance, it is difficult to see Japan as an ally of Russia, and, if recent history is any criterion, an alliance with Italy would be equally distasteful. Certainly Hitler swallowed his words and turned a political somersault to range himself beside Russia, but a similar conversion of the proud Mussolini would involve an even more ludicrous spectacle. No; Stalin is flattered by all this ardent wooing, perhaps, but he is not yet ready to abandon his life's work for Bolshevism.