NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 30, 15 November 1939, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

RUSSIA BACK IN EUROPE. “Grandpa Ivan has come hack,” the Balkan Slavs say. And he certainly has, writes Mr R . H., Markham. “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 refused to reply, “We and tho Russians are 180,000,000.” All the Slavs of the South-east Europe and even of Central Europe—in fact, practically all the Slavs in the world excepl the Polos—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 152,000,000 are found in Russia, 20,000,000 in the Balkans, and 11,000,000 in former Czeeho-Slovakia. Since tho 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 the Soviets heartily; France, reluctantly. The most vehement opponents of all were the Nazis and the Fascists. They even formed an an ili-Com intern 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.