TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21219, 16 September 1940, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Stalin's Policy “ Russia’s policy is plain enough, despite the ‘ obscurity ’ attributed to it by those whose own insight is at fault. It is to use the period of immunity purchased by the Nazi-Soviet pact to take all precautions for the security of Russia. This is 1 appeasement ’ turned inside out. Already Stalin has obtained strong points to guard the Gulf of Finland and a more defensive frontier across Poland. He has seen an equal threat through the other waterway into Russia—the Black Sea. Already he had acted to prevent an incursion into this area; by his persistent effort to retain the friendship of Turkey; by his strong warnings to the most likely aggressor against the Balkans, Italy; by his resumption of diplomatic relations with the most likely victim, Jugoslavia. Now, with Rumania slipping more obviously beneath Nazi influence, with Italy’s capacity for eastern adventure enhanced even further by events in Syria, he strikes for Bessarabia anu covers Rumania's Black Sea ports.’’—Evening Standard, London.