World Events In Picture And Story

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

World Events In Picture And Story

Repeatedly the question is put to me, "What do you think of. the Russian situation?" I think that ■as far as Great Britain and Franco are concerned their task might ho made easier if Russia would join Germany properly and? declare war on them. That may appear to be an extraordinary opinion to express, but hi reality it is not so paradoxical at all. If Russia declared war, I see three main advantages to the Allies: 1. Pressure would be released from any country threatened by Russian "methods such as those employed in Finland. 2. The blockade against Germany could be tightened. 3. The Rome-lierlin Axis would he weakened, as the Italian Government and many Italians are strongly anti-Communist. Should Russia declare war it is probable that Turkey would automatically come in on the side of the Allies. Turkey is also bound by military alliances of mutual assistance with Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi-Arabia. Thus these countries might also be brought in on the Allied side. That would give some threo million or more men to keep the Russians occupied from the Black Sea to Burma. To guard such a front Russia would bo unable to hurl masses, of men against small countries such as Finland regardless of numerical losses. i